JSON Web Signature
lastmod 2026-11-10created 2026-09-104 edits
JSON Web Signature (JWS) is an IETF standard that attaches a digital signature or MAC to JSON-based data so that its integrity and origin can be verified. The compact serialization format, in which a header containing the signature algorithm and other information, the payload to be protected, and the signature value are each Base64url-encoded and joined with dots, is commonly used; algorithms follow the JWA specification and keys follow the JWK specification. Since a JWT is JSON containing claims signed with JWS, understanding JWS directly explains the structure of a JWT.
See also
- JSON
- JSON Web Signature (JWS)
- JSON Web Algorithms (JWA)
- JSON Web Encryption (JWE)
- JSON Web Token (JWT)
- JSON Web Key (JWK)
- JSON Web Key Set (JWKS)