RFC 4627 Default Encoding for JSON Text Is UTF-8

200-301 By islever Editorial Last updated

Recognize components of JSON-encoded data

Short answer

C RFC 4627 states JSON text SHALL be encoded in Unicode and the default encoding is UTF-8.

Question

What is the RFC 4627 default encoding for JSON text?
  1. UCS-2
  2. GB18030
  3. UTF-8 Correct Answer
  4. Hex

Key Takeaways

The JSON spec's default is UTF-8 — not UCS-2, not a locale-specific encoding like GB18030, and certainly not raw hex.

RFC 4627 (the JSON specification) requires JSON to be encoded in Unicode and defines UTF-8 as the default encoding. UTF-8 is the most widely used JSON encoding and ensures broad compatibility.

Common mistake: Picking UCS-2 (option A): that is a fixed-width Unicode encoding, not JSON's default; others like GB18030 are locale-specific and not used by JSON.

Expert Analysis

Why the Answer Is Correct

C (UTF-8) is correct. RFC 4627, section 3, states: 'JSON text SHALL be encoded in Unicode. The default encoding is UTF-8.'

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

A (UCS-2) is a fixed-width Unicode form, not JSON's default. B (GB18030) is a Chinese character encoding and is unrelated to JSON. D (Hex) is a representation format, not a text encoding.

Community Comment Notes

The vote is C (100). Commenters cite RFC 4627 page 4: 'The default encoding is UTF-8.'

Official Reference

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/ccna-exam-topics

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Community Votes

C
100%

100% of anonymous learners picked answer C. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.

Discussion 4 contributions

Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.

From public community threads 4

  1. Joshua25 👍 2
    What's the point of memorizing this?! The information can be easily found by googling. What's the point to test in an exam?
  2. 356f32b 👍 2
    Not sure if this is a CCNA topic? "Recognize components of JSON-encoded data"
  3. Shaifalimittal02 👍 1 Answered C
    According to RFC 4627, the default encoding for JSON text is UTF-8. JSON supports Unicode, and UTF-8 is the most widely used encoding, ensuring compatibility and efficient storage of text data. Explanation of incorrect options: A (UCS-2) is a fixed-width encoding for Unicode that is not the default for JSON. B (GB18030) is a Chinese character encoding and is not used by JSON. D (Hex) is a representation for binary data, not a text encoding format.
  4. [Removed] 👍 1 Answered C
    Ref: RFC 4627, page 4 “… 3. Encoding JSON text SHALL be encoded in Unicode. The default encoding is UTF-8. …”

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