diff --git a/benchmark_test.go b/benchmark_test.go
index 1b6b67d..1732fb6 100644
--- a/benchmark_test.go
+++ b/benchmark_test.go
@@ -102,7 +102,34 @@ func BenchmarkLogFieldType(b *testing.B) {
 		time.Unix(8, 0),
 		time.Unix(9, 0),
 	}
-	o := obj{"a", "a", 0}
+	interfaces := []struct {
+		Pub  string
+		Tag  string `json:"tag"`
+		priv int
+	}{
+		{"a", "a", 0},
+		{"a", "a", 0},
+		{"a", "a", 0},
+		{"a", "a", 0},
+		{"a", "a", 0},
+		{"a", "a", 0},
+		{"a", "a", 0},
+		{"a", "a", 0},
+		{"a", "a", 0},
+		{"a", "a", 0},
+	}
+	objects := []obj{
+		obj{"a", "a", 0},
+		obj{"a", "a", 0},
+		obj{"a", "a", 0},
+		obj{"a", "a", 0},
+		obj{"a", "a", 0},
+		obj{"a", "a", 0},
+		obj{"a", "a", 0},
+		obj{"a", "a", 0},
+		obj{"a", "a", 0},
+		obj{"a", "a", 0},
+	}
 	errs := []error{errors.New("a"), errors.New("b"), errors.New("c"), errors.New("d"), errors.New("e")}
 	types := map[string]func(e *Event) *Event{
 		"Bool": func(e *Event) *Event {
@@ -148,10 +175,19 @@ func BenchmarkLogFieldType(b *testing.B) {
 			return e.Durs("k", durations)
 		},
 		"Interface": func(e *Event) *Event {
-			return e.Interface("k", o)
+			return e.Interface("k", interfaces[0])
+		},
+		"Interfaces": func(e *Event) *Event {
+			return e.Interface("k", interfaces)
+		},
+		"Interface(Object)": func(e *Event) *Event {
+			return e.Interface("k", objects[0])
+		},
+		"Interface(Objects)": func(e *Event) *Event {
+			return e.Interface("k", objects)
 		},
 		"Object": func(e *Event) *Event {
-			return e.Object("k", o)
+			return e.Object("k", objects[0])
 		},
 	}
 	logger := New(ioutil.Discard)
diff --git a/context.go b/context.go
index 68aaef7..021659b 100644
--- a/context.go
+++ b/context.go
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@ package zerolog
 import (
 	"io/ioutil"
 	"time"
+
+	"github.com/rs/zerolog/internal/json"
 )
 
 // Context configures a new sub-logger with contextual fields.
@@ -24,7 +26,7 @@ func (c Context) Fields(fields map[string]interface{}) Context {
 // Dict adds the field key with the dict to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Dict(key string, dict *Event) Context {
 	dict.buf = append(dict.buf, '}')
-	c.l.context = append(appendKey(c.l.context, key), dict.buf...)
+	c.l.context = append(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), dict.buf...)
 	eventPool.Put(dict)
 	return c
 }
@@ -41,194 +43,198 @@ func (c Context) Object(key string, obj LogObjectMarshaler) Context {
 
 // Str adds the field key with val as a string to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Str(key, val string) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendString(c.l.context, key, val)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendString(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), val)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Strs adds the field key with val as a string to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Strs(key string, vals []string) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendStrings(c.l.context, key, vals)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendStrings(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), vals)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Bytes adds the field key with val as a []byte to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Bytes(key string, val []byte) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendBytes(c.l.context, key, val)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendBytes(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), val)
 	return c
 }
 
 // AnErr adds the field key with err as a string to the logger context.
 func (c Context) AnErr(key string, err error) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendErrorKey(c.l.context, key, err)
+	if err != nil {
+		c.l.context = json.AppendError(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), err)
+	}
 	return c
 }
 
 // Errs adds the field key with errs as an array of strings to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Errs(key string, errs []error) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendErrorsKey(c.l.context, key, errs)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendErrors(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), errs)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Err adds the field "error" with err as a string to the logger context.
 // To customize the key name, change zerolog.ErrorFieldName.
 func (c Context) Err(err error) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendError(c.l.context, err)
+	if err != nil {
+		c.l.context = json.AppendError(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, ErrorFieldName), err)
+	}
 	return c
 }
 
 // Bool adds the field key with val as a bool to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Bool(key string, b bool) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendBool(c.l.context, key, b)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendBool(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), b)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Bools adds the field key with val as a []bool to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Bools(key string, b []bool) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendBools(c.l.context, key, b)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendBools(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), b)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Int adds the field key with i as a int to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Int(key string, i int) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendInt(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendInt(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Ints adds the field key with i as a []int to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Ints(key string, i []int) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendInts(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendInts(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Int8 adds the field key with i as a int8 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Int8(key string, i int8) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendInt8(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendInt8(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Ints8 adds the field key with i as a []int8 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Ints8(key string, i []int8) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendInts8(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendInts8(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Int16 adds the field key with i as a int16 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Int16(key string, i int16) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendInt16(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendInt16(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Ints16 adds the field key with i as a []int16 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Ints16(key string, i []int16) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendInts16(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendInts16(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Int32 adds the field key with i as a int32 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Int32(key string, i int32) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendInt32(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendInt32(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Ints32 adds the field key with i as a []int32 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Ints32(key string, i []int32) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendInts32(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendInts32(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Int64 adds the field key with i as a int64 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Int64(key string, i int64) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendInt64(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendInt64(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Ints64 adds the field key with i as a []int64 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Ints64(key string, i []int64) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendInts64(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendInts64(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Uint adds the field key with i as a uint to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Uint(key string, i uint) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendUint(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendUint(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Uints adds the field key with i as a []uint to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Uints(key string, i []uint) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendUints(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendUints(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Uint8 adds the field key with i as a uint8 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Uint8(key string, i uint8) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendUint8(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendUint8(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Uints8 adds the field key with i as a []uint8 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Uints8(key string, i []uint8) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendUints8(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendUints8(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Uint16 adds the field key with i as a uint16 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Uint16(key string, i uint16) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendUint16(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendUint16(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Uints16 adds the field key with i as a []uint16 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Uints16(key string, i []uint16) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendUints16(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendUints16(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Uint32 adds the field key with i as a uint32 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Uint32(key string, i uint32) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendUint32(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendUint32(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Uints32 adds the field key with i as a []uint32 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Uints32(key string, i []uint32) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendUints32(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendUints32(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Uint64 adds the field key with i as a uint64 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Uint64(key string, i uint64) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendUint64(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendUint64(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Uints64 adds the field key with i as a []uint64 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Uints64(key string, i []uint64) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendUints64(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendUints64(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Float32 adds the field key with f as a float32 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Float32(key string, f float32) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendFloat32(c.l.context, key, f)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendFloat32(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), f)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Floats32 adds the field key with f as a []float32 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Floats32(key string, f []float32) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendFloats32(c.l.context, key, f)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendFloats32(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), f)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Float64 adds the field key with f as a float64 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Float64(key string, f float64) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendFloat64(c.l.context, key, f)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendFloat64(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), f)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Floats64 adds the field key with f as a []float64 to the logger context.
 func (c Context) Floats64(key string, f []float64) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendFloats64(c.l.context, key, f)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendFloats64(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), f)
 	return c
 }
 
@@ -245,30 +251,30 @@ func (c Context) Timestamp() Context {
 
 // Time adds the field key with t formated as string using zerolog.TimeFieldFormat.
 func (c Context) Time(key string, t time.Time) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendTime(c.l.context, key, t)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendTime(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), t, TimeFieldFormat)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Times adds the field key with t formated as string using zerolog.TimeFieldFormat.
 func (c Context) Times(key string, t []time.Time) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendTimes(c.l.context, key, t)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendTimes(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), t, TimeFieldFormat)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Dur adds the fields key with d divided by unit and stored as a float.
 func (c Context) Dur(key string, d time.Duration) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendDuration(c.l.context, key, d)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendDuration(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), d, DurationFieldUnit, DurationFieldInteger)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Durs adds the fields key with d divided by unit and stored as a float.
 func (c Context) Durs(key string, d []time.Duration) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendDurations(c.l.context, key, d)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendDurations(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), d, DurationFieldUnit, DurationFieldInteger)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Interface adds the field key with obj marshaled using reflection.
 func (c Context) Interface(key string, i interface{}) Context {
-	c.l.context = appendInterface(c.l.context, key, i)
+	c.l.context = json.AppendInterface(json.AppendKey(c.l.context, key), i)
 	return c
 }
diff --git a/event.go b/event.go
index 3778be2..72e3288 100644
--- a/event.go
+++ b/event.go
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
+
+	"github.com/rs/zerolog/internal/json"
 )
 
 var eventPool = &sync.Pool{
@@ -68,7 +70,7 @@ func (e *Event) Msg(msg string) {
 		return
 	}
 	if msg != "" {
-		e.buf = appendString(e.buf, MessageFieldName, msg)
+		e.buf = json.AppendString(json.AppendKey(e.buf, MessageFieldName), msg)
 	}
 	if e.done != nil {
 		defer e.done(msg)
@@ -88,7 +90,7 @@ func (e *Event) Msgf(format string, v ...interface{}) {
 	}
 	msg := fmt.Sprintf(format, v...)
 	if msg != "" {
-		e.buf = appendString(e.buf, MessageFieldName, msg)
+		e.buf = json.AppendString(json.AppendKey(e.buf, MessageFieldName), msg)
 	}
 	if e.done != nil {
 		defer e.done(msg)
@@ -113,7 +115,7 @@ func (e *Event) Dict(key string, dict *Event) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = append(append(appendKey(e.buf, key), dict.buf...), '}')
+	e.buf = append(append(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), dict.buf...), '}')
 	eventPool.Put(dict)
 	return e
 }
@@ -125,9 +127,7 @@ func Dict() *Event {
 	return newEvent(levelWriterAdapter{ioutil.Discard}, 0, true)
 }
 
-// Object marshals an object that implement the LogObjectMarshaler interface.
-func (e *Event) Object(key string, obj LogObjectMarshaler) *Event {
-	e.buf = appendKey(e.buf, key)
+func (e *Event) appendObject(obj LogObjectMarshaler) {
 	pos := len(e.buf)
 	obj.MarshalZerologObject(e)
 	if pos < len(e.buf) {
@@ -139,6 +139,12 @@ func (e *Event) Object(key string, obj LogObjectMarshaler) *Event {
 		e.buf = append(e.buf, '{')
 	}
 	e.buf = append(e.buf, '}')
+}
+
+// Object marshals an object that implement the LogObjectMarshaler interface.
+func (e *Event) Object(key string, obj LogObjectMarshaler) *Event {
+	e.buf = json.AppendKey(e.buf, key)
+	e.appendObject(obj)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -147,7 +153,7 @@ func (e *Event) Str(key, val string) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendString(e.buf, key, val)
+	e.buf = json.AppendString(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), val)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -156,7 +162,7 @@ func (e *Event) Strs(key string, vals []string) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendStrings(e.buf, key, vals)
+	e.buf = json.AppendStrings(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), vals)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -165,7 +171,7 @@ func (e *Event) Bytes(key string, val []byte) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendBytes(e.buf, key, val)
+	e.buf = json.AppendBytes(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), val)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -175,7 +181,9 @@ func (e *Event) AnErr(key string, err error) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendErrorKey(e.buf, key, err)
+	if err != nil {
+		e.buf = json.AppendError(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), err)
+	}
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -185,7 +193,7 @@ func (e *Event) Errs(key string, errs []error) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendErrorsKey(e.buf, key, errs)
+	e.buf = json.AppendErrors(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), errs)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -196,7 +204,9 @@ func (e *Event) Err(err error) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendError(e.buf, err)
+	if err != nil {
+		e.buf = json.AppendError(json.AppendKey(e.buf, ErrorFieldName), err)
+	}
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -205,7 +215,7 @@ func (e *Event) Bool(key string, b bool) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendBool(e.buf, key, b)
+	e.buf = json.AppendBool(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), b)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -214,7 +224,7 @@ func (e *Event) Bools(key string, b []bool) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendBools(e.buf, key, b)
+	e.buf = json.AppendBools(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), b)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -223,7 +233,7 @@ func (e *Event) Int(key string, i int) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendInt(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendInt(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -232,7 +242,7 @@ func (e *Event) Ints(key string, i []int) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendInts(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendInts(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -241,7 +251,7 @@ func (e *Event) Int8(key string, i int8) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendInt8(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendInt8(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -250,7 +260,7 @@ func (e *Event) Ints8(key string, i []int8) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendInts8(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendInts8(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -259,7 +269,7 @@ func (e *Event) Int16(key string, i int16) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendInt16(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendInt16(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -268,7 +278,7 @@ func (e *Event) Ints16(key string, i []int16) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendInts16(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendInts16(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -277,7 +287,7 @@ func (e *Event) Int32(key string, i int32) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendInt32(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendInt32(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -286,7 +296,7 @@ func (e *Event) Ints32(key string, i []int32) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendInts32(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendInts32(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -295,7 +305,7 @@ func (e *Event) Int64(key string, i int64) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendInt64(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendInt64(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -304,7 +314,7 @@ func (e *Event) Ints64(key string, i []int64) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendInts64(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendInts64(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -313,7 +323,7 @@ func (e *Event) Uint(key string, i uint) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendUint(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendUint(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -322,7 +332,7 @@ func (e *Event) Uints(key string, i []uint) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendUints(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendUints(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -331,7 +341,7 @@ func (e *Event) Uint8(key string, i uint8) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendUint8(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendUint8(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -340,7 +350,7 @@ func (e *Event) Uints8(key string, i []uint8) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendUints8(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendUints8(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -349,7 +359,7 @@ func (e *Event) Uint16(key string, i uint16) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendUint16(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendUint16(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -358,7 +368,7 @@ func (e *Event) Uints16(key string, i []uint16) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendUints16(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendUints16(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -367,7 +377,7 @@ func (e *Event) Uint32(key string, i uint32) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendUint32(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendUint32(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -376,7 +386,7 @@ func (e *Event) Uints32(key string, i []uint32) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendUints32(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendUints32(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -385,7 +395,7 @@ func (e *Event) Uint64(key string, i uint64) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendUint64(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendUint64(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -394,7 +404,7 @@ func (e *Event) Uints64(key string, i []uint64) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendUints64(e.buf, key, i)
+	e.buf = json.AppendUints64(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -403,7 +413,7 @@ func (e *Event) Float32(key string, f float32) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendFloat32(e.buf, key, f)
+	e.buf = json.AppendFloat32(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), f)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -412,7 +422,7 @@ func (e *Event) Floats32(key string, f []float32) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendFloats32(e.buf, key, f)
+	e.buf = json.AppendFloats32(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), f)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -421,7 +431,7 @@ func (e *Event) Float64(key string, f float64) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendFloat64(e.buf, key, f)
+	e.buf = json.AppendFloat64(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), f)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -430,7 +440,7 @@ func (e *Event) Floats64(key string, f []float64) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendFloats64(e.buf, key, f)
+	e.buf = json.AppendFloats64(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), f)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -440,7 +450,7 @@ func (e *Event) Timestamp() *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendTimestamp(e.buf)
+	e.buf = json.AppendTime(json.AppendKey(e.buf, TimestampFieldName), TimestampFunc(), TimeFieldFormat)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -449,7 +459,7 @@ func (e *Event) Time(key string, t time.Time) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendTime(e.buf, key, t)
+	e.buf = json.AppendTime(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), t, TimeFieldFormat)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -458,7 +468,7 @@ func (e *Event) Times(key string, t []time.Time) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendTimes(e.buf, key, t)
+	e.buf = json.AppendTimes(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), t, TimeFieldFormat)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -469,7 +479,7 @@ func (e *Event) Dur(key string, d time.Duration) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendDuration(e.buf, key, d)
+	e.buf = json.AppendDuration(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), d, DurationFieldUnit, DurationFieldInteger)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -480,7 +490,7 @@ func (e *Event) Durs(key string, d []time.Duration) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendDurations(e.buf, key, d)
+	e.buf = json.AppendDurations(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), d, DurationFieldUnit, DurationFieldInteger)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -495,7 +505,7 @@ func (e *Event) TimeDiff(key string, t time.Time, start time.Time) *Event {
 	if t.After(start) {
 		d = t.Sub(start)
 	}
-	e.buf = appendDuration(e.buf, key, d)
+	e.buf = json.AppendDuration(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), d, DurationFieldUnit, DurationFieldInteger)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -504,6 +514,9 @@ func (e *Event) Interface(key string, i interface{}) *Event {
 	if !e.enabled {
 		return e
 	}
-	e.buf = appendInterface(e.buf, key, i)
+	if obj, ok := i.(LogObjectMarshaler); ok {
+		return e.Object(key, obj)
+	}
+	e.buf = json.AppendInterface(json.AppendKey(e.buf, key), i)
 	return e
 }
diff --git a/field.go b/field.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 4aa6790..0000000
--- a/field.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,519 +0,0 @@
-package zerolog
-
-import (
-	"encoding/json"
-	"fmt"
-	"math"
-	"sort"
-	"strconv"
-	"time"
-)
-
-func appendFields(dst []byte, fields map[string]interface{}) []byte {
-	keys := make([]string, 0, len(fields))
-	for key, _ := range fields {
-		keys = append(keys, key)
-	}
-	sort.Strings(keys)
-	for _, key := range keys {
-		switch val := fields[key].(type) {
-		case string:
-			dst = appendString(dst, key, val)
-		case []byte:
-			dst = appendBytes(dst, key, val)
-		case error:
-			dst = appendErrorKey(dst, key, val)
-		case []error:
-			dst = appendErrorsKey(dst, key, val)
-		case bool:
-			dst = appendBool(dst, key, val)
-		case int:
-			dst = appendInt(dst, key, val)
-		case int8:
-			dst = appendInt8(dst, key, val)
-		case int16:
-			dst = appendInt16(dst, key, val)
-		case int32:
-			dst = appendInt32(dst, key, val)
-		case int64:
-			dst = appendInt64(dst, key, val)
-		case uint:
-			dst = appendUint(dst, key, val)
-		case uint8:
-			dst = appendUint8(dst, key, val)
-		case uint16:
-			dst = appendUint16(dst, key, val)
-		case uint32:
-			dst = appendUint32(dst, key, val)
-		case uint64:
-			dst = appendUint64(dst, key, val)
-		case float32:
-			dst = appendFloat32(dst, key, val)
-		case float64:
-			dst = appendFloat64(dst, key, val)
-		case time.Time:
-			dst = appendTime(dst, key, val)
-		case time.Duration:
-			dst = appendDuration(dst, key, val)
-		case []string:
-			dst = appendStrings(dst, key, val)
-		case []bool:
-			dst = appendBools(dst, key, val)
-		case []int:
-			dst = appendInts(dst, key, val)
-		case []int8:
-			dst = appendInts8(dst, key, val)
-		case []int16:
-			dst = appendInts16(dst, key, val)
-		case []int32:
-			dst = appendInts32(dst, key, val)
-		case []int64:
-			dst = appendInts64(dst, key, val)
-		case []uint:
-			dst = appendUints(dst, key, val)
-		// case []uint8:
-		// 	dst = appendUints8(dst, key, val)
-		case []uint16:
-			dst = appendUints16(dst, key, val)
-		case []uint32:
-			dst = appendUints32(dst, key, val)
-		case []uint64:
-			dst = appendUints64(dst, key, val)
-		case []float32:
-			dst = appendFloats32(dst, key, val)
-		case []float64:
-			dst = appendFloats64(dst, key, val)
-		case []time.Time:
-			dst = appendTimes(dst, key, val)
-		case []time.Duration:
-			dst = appendDurations(dst, key, val)
-		case nil:
-			dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), "null"...)
-		default:
-			dst = appendInterface(dst, key, val)
-		}
-	}
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendKey(dst []byte, key string) []byte {
-	if len(dst) > 1 {
-		dst = append(dst, ',')
-	}
-	dst = appendJSONString(dst, key)
-	return append(dst, ':')
-}
-
-func appendString(dst []byte, key, val string) []byte {
-	return appendJSONString(appendKey(dst, key), val)
-}
-
-func appendStrings(dst []byte, key string, vals []string) []byte {
-	if len(vals) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	dst = appendJSONString(dst, vals[0])
-	if len(vals) > 1 {
-		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
-			dst = appendJSONString(append(dst, ','), val)
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendBytes(dst []byte, key string, val []byte) []byte {
-	return appendJSONBytes(appendKey(dst, key), val)
-}
-
-func appendErrorKey(dst []byte, key string, err error) []byte {
-	if err == nil {
-		return dst
-	}
-	return appendJSONString(appendKey(dst, key), err.Error())
-}
-
-func appendErrorsKey(dst []byte, key string, errs []error) []byte {
-	if len(errs) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	if errs[0] != nil {
-		dst = appendJSONString(dst, errs[0].Error())
-	} else {
-		dst = append(dst, "null"...)
-	}
-	if len(errs) > 1 {
-		for _, err := range errs[1:] {
-			if err == nil {
-				dst = append(dst, ",null"...)
-				continue
-			}
-			dst = appendJSONString(append(dst, ','), err.Error())
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendError(dst []byte, err error) []byte {
-	if err == nil {
-		return dst
-	}
-	return appendErrorKey(dst, ErrorFieldName, err)
-}
-
-func appendBool(dst []byte, key string, val bool) []byte {
-	return strconv.AppendBool(appendKey(dst, key), val)
-}
-
-func appendBools(dst []byte, key string, vals []bool) []byte {
-	if len(vals) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	dst = strconv.AppendBool(dst, vals[0])
-	if len(vals) > 1 {
-		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
-			dst = strconv.AppendBool(append(dst, ','), val)
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendInt(dst []byte, key string, val int) []byte {
-	return strconv.AppendInt(appendKey(dst, key), int64(val), 10)
-}
-
-func appendInts(dst []byte, key string, vals []int) []byte {
-	if len(vals) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	dst = strconv.AppendInt(dst, int64(vals[0]), 10)
-	if len(vals) > 1 {
-		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
-			dst = strconv.AppendInt(append(dst, ','), int64(val), 10)
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendInt8(dst []byte, key string, val int8) []byte {
-	return strconv.AppendInt(appendKey(dst, key), int64(val), 10)
-}
-
-func appendInts8(dst []byte, key string, vals []int8) []byte {
-	if len(vals) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	dst = strconv.AppendInt(dst, int64(vals[0]), 10)
-	if len(vals) > 1 {
-		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
-			dst = strconv.AppendInt(append(dst, ','), int64(val), 10)
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendInt16(dst []byte, key string, val int16) []byte {
-	return strconv.AppendInt(appendKey(dst, key), int64(val), 10)
-}
-
-func appendInts16(dst []byte, key string, vals []int16) []byte {
-	if len(vals) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	dst = strconv.AppendInt(dst, int64(vals[0]), 10)
-	if len(vals) > 1 {
-		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
-			dst = strconv.AppendInt(append(dst, ','), int64(val), 10)
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendInt32(dst []byte, key string, val int32) []byte {
-	return strconv.AppendInt(appendKey(dst, key), int64(val), 10)
-}
-
-func appendInts32(dst []byte, key string, vals []int32) []byte {
-	if len(vals) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	dst = strconv.AppendInt(dst, int64(vals[0]), 10)
-	if len(vals) > 1 {
-		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
-			dst = strconv.AppendInt(append(dst, ','), int64(val), 10)
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendInt64(dst []byte, key string, val int64) []byte {
-	return strconv.AppendInt(appendKey(dst, key), val, 10)
-}
-
-func appendInts64(dst []byte, key string, vals []int64) []byte {
-	if len(vals) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	dst = strconv.AppendInt(dst, vals[0], 10)
-	if len(vals) > 1 {
-		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
-			dst = strconv.AppendInt(append(dst, ','), val, 10)
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendUint(dst []byte, key string, val uint) []byte {
-	return strconv.AppendUint(appendKey(dst, key), uint64(val), 10)
-}
-
-func appendUints(dst []byte, key string, vals []uint) []byte {
-	if len(vals) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	dst = strconv.AppendUint(dst, uint64(vals[0]), 10)
-	if len(vals) > 1 {
-		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
-			dst = strconv.AppendUint(append(dst, ','), uint64(val), 10)
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendUint8(dst []byte, key string, val uint8) []byte {
-	return strconv.AppendUint(appendKey(dst, key), uint64(val), 10)
-}
-
-func appendUints8(dst []byte, key string, vals []uint8) []byte {
-	if len(vals) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	dst = strconv.AppendUint(dst, uint64(vals[0]), 10)
-	if len(vals) > 1 {
-		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
-			dst = strconv.AppendUint(append(dst, ','), uint64(val), 10)
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendUint16(dst []byte, key string, val uint16) []byte {
-	return strconv.AppendUint(appendKey(dst, key), uint64(val), 10)
-}
-
-func appendUints16(dst []byte, key string, vals []uint16) []byte {
-	if len(vals) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	dst = strconv.AppendUint(dst, uint64(vals[0]), 10)
-	if len(vals) > 1 {
-		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
-			dst = strconv.AppendUint(append(dst, ','), uint64(val), 10)
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendUint32(dst []byte, key string, val uint32) []byte {
-	return strconv.AppendUint(appendKey(dst, key), uint64(val), 10)
-}
-
-func appendUints32(dst []byte, key string, vals []uint32) []byte {
-	if len(vals) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	dst = strconv.AppendUint(dst, uint64(vals[0]), 10)
-	if len(vals) > 1 {
-		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
-			dst = strconv.AppendUint(append(dst, ','), uint64(val), 10)
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendUint64(dst []byte, key string, val uint64) []byte {
-	return strconv.AppendUint(appendKey(dst, key), uint64(val), 10)
-}
-
-func appendUints64(dst []byte, key string, vals []uint64) []byte {
-	if len(vals) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	dst = strconv.AppendUint(dst, vals[0], 10)
-	if len(vals) > 1 {
-		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
-			dst = strconv.AppendUint(append(dst, ','), val, 10)
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendFloat(dst []byte, val float64, bitSize int) []byte {
-	// JSON does not permit NaN or Infinity. A typical JSON encoder would fail
-	// with an error, but a logging library wants the data to get thru so we
-	// make a tradeoff and store those types as string.
-	switch {
-	case math.IsNaN(val):
-		return append(dst, `"NaN"`...)
-	case math.IsInf(val, 1):
-		return append(dst, `"+Inf"`...)
-	case math.IsInf(val, -1):
-		return append(dst, `"-Inf"`...)
-	}
-	return strconv.AppendFloat(dst, val, 'f', -1, bitSize)
-}
-
-func appendFloat32(dst []byte, key string, val float32) []byte {
-	return appendFloat(appendKey(dst, key), float64(val), 32)
-}
-
-func appendFloats32(dst []byte, key string, vals []float32) []byte {
-	if len(vals) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	dst = appendFloat(dst, float64(vals[0]), 32)
-	if len(vals) > 1 {
-		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
-			dst = appendFloat(append(dst, ','), float64(val), 32)
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendFloat64(dst []byte, key string, val float64) []byte {
-	return appendFloat(appendKey(dst, key), val, 64)
-}
-
-func appendFloats64(dst []byte, key string, vals []float64) []byte {
-	if len(vals) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	dst = appendFloat(dst, vals[0], 32)
-	if len(vals) > 1 {
-		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
-			dst = appendFloat(append(dst, ','), val, 64)
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendTime(dst []byte, key string, t time.Time) []byte {
-	if TimeFieldFormat == "" {
-		return appendInt64(dst, key, t.Unix())
-	}
-	return append(t.AppendFormat(append(appendKey(dst, key), '"'), TimeFieldFormat), '"')
-}
-
-func appendTimes(dst []byte, key string, vals []time.Time) []byte {
-	if TimeFieldFormat == "" {
-		return appendUnixTimes(dst, key, vals)
-	}
-	if len(vals) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	dst = append(vals[0].AppendFormat(append(dst, '"'), TimeFieldFormat), '"')
-	if len(vals) > 1 {
-		for _, t := range vals[1:] {
-			dst = append(t.AppendFormat(append(dst, ',', '"'), TimeFieldFormat), '"')
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendUnixTimes(dst []byte, key string, vals []time.Time) []byte {
-	if len(vals) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	dst = strconv.AppendInt(dst, vals[0].Unix(), 10)
-	if len(vals) > 1 {
-		for _, t := range vals[1:] {
-			dst = strconv.AppendInt(dst, t.Unix(), 10)
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendTimestamp(dst []byte) []byte {
-	return appendTime(dst, TimestampFieldName, TimestampFunc())
-}
-
-func appendDuration(dst []byte, key string, d time.Duration) []byte {
-	if DurationFieldInteger {
-		return appendInt64(dst, key, int64(d/DurationFieldUnit))
-	}
-	return appendFloat64(dst, key, float64(d)/float64(DurationFieldUnit))
-}
-
-func appendDurations(dst []byte, key string, vals []time.Duration) []byte {
-	if DurationFieldInteger {
-		return appendIntDurations(dst, key, vals)
-	}
-	if len(vals) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	dst = strconv.AppendFloat(dst, float64(vals[0])/float64(DurationFieldUnit), 'f', -1, 32)
-	if len(vals) > 1 {
-		for _, d := range vals[1:] {
-			dst = strconv.AppendFloat(append(dst, ','), float64(d)/float64(DurationFieldUnit), 'f', -1, 32)
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendIntDurations(dst []byte, key string, vals []time.Duration) []byte {
-	if len(vals) == 0 {
-		return append(appendKey(dst, key), '[', ']')
-	}
-	dst = append(appendKey(dst, key), '[')
-	dst = strconv.AppendInt(dst, int64(vals[0]/DurationFieldUnit), 10)
-	if len(vals) > 1 {
-		for _, d := range vals[1:] {
-			dst = strconv.AppendInt(append(dst, ','), int64(d/DurationFieldUnit), 10)
-		}
-	}
-	dst = append(dst, ']')
-	return dst
-}
-
-func appendInterface(dst []byte, key string, i interface{}) []byte {
-	marshaled, err := json.Marshal(i)
-	if err != nil {
-		return appendString(dst, key, fmt.Sprintf("marshaling error: %v", err))
-	}
-	return append(appendKey(dst, key), marshaled...)
-}
diff --git a/field_test.go b/field_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index e1d3f95..0000000
--- a/field_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,33 +0,0 @@
-package zerolog
-
-import (
-	"math"
-	"reflect"
-	"testing"
-)
-
-func Test_appendFloat64(t *testing.T) {
-	tests := []struct {
-		name  string
-		input float64
-		want  []byte
-	}{
-		{"-Inf", math.Inf(-1), []byte(`"foo":"-Inf"`)},
-		{"+Inf", math.Inf(1), []byte(`"foo":"+Inf"`)},
-		{"NaN", math.NaN(), []byte(`"foo":"NaN"`)},
-		{"0", 0, []byte(`"foo":0`)},
-		{"-1.1", -1.1, []byte(`"foo":-1.1`)},
-		{"1e20", 1e20, []byte(`"foo":100000000000000000000`)},
-		{"1e21", 1e21, []byte(`"foo":1000000000000000000000`)},
-	}
-	for _, tt := range tests {
-		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			if got := appendFloat32([]byte{}, "foo", float32(tt.input)); !reflect.DeepEqual(got, tt.want) {
-				t.Errorf("appendFloat32() = %s, want %s", got, tt.want)
-			}
-			if got := appendFloat64([]byte{}, "foo", tt.input); !reflect.DeepEqual(got, tt.want) {
-				t.Errorf("appendFloat32() = %s, want %s", got, tt.want)
-			}
-		})
-	}
-}
diff --git a/fields.go b/fields.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6a19392
--- /dev/null
+++ b/fields.go
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+package zerolog
+
+import (
+	"sort"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/rs/zerolog/internal/json"
+)
+
+func appendFields(dst []byte, fields map[string]interface{}) []byte {
+	keys := make([]string, 0, len(fields))
+	for key := range fields {
+		keys = append(keys, key)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	for _, key := range keys {
+		dst = json.AppendKey(dst, key)
+		switch val := fields[key].(type) {
+		case string:
+			dst = json.AppendString(dst, val)
+		case []byte:
+			dst = json.AppendBytes(dst, val)
+		case error:
+			dst = json.AppendError(dst, val)
+		case []error:
+			dst = json.AppendErrors(dst, val)
+		case bool:
+			dst = json.AppendBool(dst, val)
+		case int:
+			dst = json.AppendInt(dst, val)
+		case int8:
+			dst = json.AppendInt8(dst, val)
+		case int16:
+			dst = json.AppendInt16(dst, val)
+		case int32:
+			dst = json.AppendInt32(dst, val)
+		case int64:
+			dst = json.AppendInt64(dst, val)
+		case uint:
+			dst = json.AppendUint(dst, val)
+		case uint8:
+			dst = json.AppendUint8(dst, val)
+		case uint16:
+			dst = json.AppendUint16(dst, val)
+		case uint32:
+			dst = json.AppendUint32(dst, val)
+		case uint64:
+			dst = json.AppendUint64(dst, val)
+		case float32:
+			dst = json.AppendFloat32(dst, val)
+		case float64:
+			dst = json.AppendFloat64(dst, val)
+		case time.Time:
+			dst = json.AppendTime(dst, val, TimeFieldFormat)
+		case time.Duration:
+			dst = json.AppendDuration(dst, val, DurationFieldUnit, DurationFieldInteger)
+		case []string:
+			dst = json.AppendStrings(dst, val)
+		case []bool:
+			dst = json.AppendBools(dst, val)
+		case []int:
+			dst = json.AppendInts(dst, val)
+		case []int8:
+			dst = json.AppendInts8(dst, val)
+		case []int16:
+			dst = json.AppendInts16(dst, val)
+		case []int32:
+			dst = json.AppendInts32(dst, val)
+		case []int64:
+			dst = json.AppendInts64(dst, val)
+		case []uint:
+			dst = json.AppendUints(dst, val)
+		// case []uint8:
+		// 	dst = appendUints8(dst, val)
+		case []uint16:
+			dst = json.AppendUints16(dst, val)
+		case []uint32:
+			dst = json.AppendUints32(dst, val)
+		case []uint64:
+			dst = json.AppendUints64(dst, val)
+		case []float32:
+			dst = json.AppendFloats32(dst, val)
+		case []float64:
+			dst = json.AppendFloats64(dst, val)
+		case []time.Time:
+			dst = json.AppendTimes(dst, val, TimeFieldFormat)
+		case []time.Duration:
+			dst = json.AppendDurations(dst, val, DurationFieldUnit, DurationFieldInteger)
+		case nil:
+			dst = append(dst, "null"...)
+		default:
+			dst = json.AppendInterface(dst, val)
+		}
+	}
+	return dst
+}
diff --git a/internal/json/base.go b/internal/json/base.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7baeec5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/json/base.go
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+package json
+
+func AppendKey(dst []byte, key string) []byte {
+	if len(dst) > 1 {
+		dst = append(dst, ',')
+	}
+	dst = AppendString(dst, key)
+	return append(dst, ':')
+}
+
+func AppendError(dst []byte, err error) []byte {
+	if err == nil {
+		return append(dst, `null`...)
+	}
+	return AppendString(dst, err.Error())
+}
+
+func AppendErrors(dst []byte, errs []error) []byte {
+	if len(errs) == 0 {
+		return append(dst, '[', ']')
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, '[')
+	if errs[0] != nil {
+		dst = AppendString(dst, errs[0].Error())
+	} else {
+		dst = append(dst, "null"...)
+	}
+	if len(errs) > 1 {
+		for _, err := range errs[1:] {
+			if err == nil {
+				dst = append(dst, ",null"...)
+				continue
+			}
+			dst = AppendString(append(dst, ','), err.Error())
+		}
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, ']')
+	return dst
+}
diff --git a/json.go b/internal/json/string.go
similarity index 82%
rename from json.go
rename to internal/json/string.go
index d55a0fd..8f8f4df 100644
--- a/json.go
+++ b/internal/json/string.go
@@ -1,10 +1,25 @@
-package zerolog
+package json
 
 import "unicode/utf8"
 
 const hex = "0123456789abcdef"
 
-// appendJSONString encodes the input string to json and appends
+func AppendStrings(dst []byte, vals []string) []byte {
+	if len(vals) == 0 {
+		return append(dst, '[', ']')
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, '[')
+	dst = AppendString(dst, vals[0])
+	if len(vals) > 1 {
+		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
+			dst = AppendString(append(dst, ','), val)
+		}
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, ']')
+	return dst
+}
+
+// AppendString encodes the input string to json and appends
 // the encoded string to the input byte slice.
 //
 // The operation loops though each byte in the string looking
@@ -13,7 +28,7 @@ const hex = "0123456789abcdef"
 // entirety to the byte slice.
 // If we encounter a byte that does need encoding, switch up
 // the operation and perform a byte-by-byte read-encode-append.
-func appendJSONString(dst []byte, s string) []byte {
+func AppendString(dst []byte, s string) []byte {
 	// Start with a double quote.
 	dst = append(dst, '"')
 	// Loop through each character in the string.
@@ -24,7 +39,7 @@ func appendJSONString(dst []byte, s string) []byte {
 		if s[i] < 0x20 || s[i] > 0x7e || s[i] == '\\' || s[i] == '"' {
 			// We encountered a character that needs to be encoded. Switch
 			// to complex version of the algorithm.
-			dst = appendJSONStringComplex(dst, s, i)
+			dst = appendStringComplex(dst, s, i)
 			return append(dst, '"')
 		}
 	}
@@ -35,10 +50,10 @@ func appendJSONString(dst []byte, s string) []byte {
 	return append(dst, '"')
 }
 
-// appendJSONStringComplex is used by appendJSONString to take over an in
+// appendStringComplex is used by appendString to take over an in
 // progress JSON string encoding that encountered a character that needs
 // to be encoded.
-func appendJSONStringComplex(dst []byte, s string, i int) []byte {
+func appendStringComplex(dst []byte, s string, i int) []byte {
 	start := 0
 	for i < len(s) {
 		b := s[i]
@@ -95,12 +110,12 @@ func appendJSONStringComplex(dst []byte, s string, i int) []byte {
 	return dst
 }
 
-// appendJSONBytes is a mirror of appendJSONString with []byte arg
-func appendJSONBytes(dst, s []byte) []byte {
+// AppendBytes is a mirror of appendString with []byte arg
+func AppendBytes(dst, s []byte) []byte {
 	dst = append(dst, '"')
 	for i := 0; i < len(s); i++ {
 		if s[i] < 0x20 || s[i] > 0x7e || s[i] == '\\' || s[i] == '"' {
-			dst = appendJSONBytesComplex(dst, s, i)
+			dst = appendBytesComplex(dst, s, i)
 			return append(dst, '"')
 		}
 	}
@@ -108,9 +123,9 @@ func appendJSONBytes(dst, s []byte) []byte {
 	return append(dst, '"')
 }
 
-// appendJSONBytesComplex is a mirror of the appendJSONStringComplex
+// appendBytesComplex is a mirror of the appendStringComplex
 // with []byte arg
-func appendJSONBytesComplex(dst, s []byte, i int) []byte {
+func appendBytesComplex(dst, s []byte, i int) []byte {
 	start := 0
 	for i < len(s) {
 		b := s[i]
diff --git a/json_test.go b/internal/json/string_test.go
similarity index 85%
rename from json_test.go
rename to internal/json/string_test.go
index 69a344a..b0c2c32 100644
--- a/json_test.go
+++ b/internal/json/string_test.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package zerolog
+package json
 
 import (
 	"testing"
@@ -53,20 +53,20 @@ var encodeStringTests = []struct {
 	{"emoji \u2764\ufe0f!", `"emoji ❤️!"`},
 }
 
-func TestAppendJSONString(t *testing.T) {
+func TestappendString(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, tt := range encodeStringTests {
-		b := appendJSONString([]byte{}, tt.in)
+		b := AppendString([]byte{}, tt.in)
 		if got, want := string(b), tt.out; got != want {
-			t.Errorf("appendJSONString(%q) = %#q, want %#q", tt.in, got, want)
+			t.Errorf("appendString(%q) = %#q, want %#q", tt.in, got, want)
 		}
 	}
 }
 
-func TestAppendJSONBytes(t *testing.T) {
+func TestappendBytes(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, tt := range encodeStringTests {
-		b := appendJSONBytes([]byte{}, []byte(tt.in))
+		b := AppendBytes([]byte{}, []byte(tt.in))
 		if got, want := string(b), tt.out; got != want {
-			t.Errorf("appendJSONBytes(%q) = %#q, want %#q", tt.in, got, want)
+			t.Errorf("appendBytes(%q) = %#q, want %#q", tt.in, got, want)
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -80,8 +80,8 @@ func TestStringBytes(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	s := string(r) + "\xff\xff\xffhello" // some invalid UTF-8 too
 
-	enc := string(appendJSONString([]byte{}, s))
-	encBytes := string(appendJSONBytes([]byte{}, []byte(s)))
+	enc := string(AppendString([]byte{}, s))
+	encBytes := string(AppendBytes([]byte{}, []byte(s)))
 
 	if enc != encBytes {
 		i := 0
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ func TestStringBytes(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func BenchmarkAppendJSONString(b *testing.B) {
+func BenchmarkappendString(b *testing.B) {
 	tests := map[string]string{
 		"NoEncoding":       `aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa`,
 		"EncodingFirst":    `"aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa`,
@@ -122,13 +122,13 @@ func BenchmarkAppendJSONString(b *testing.B) {
 		b.Run(name, func(b *testing.B) {
 			buf := make([]byte, 0, 100)
 			for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-				_ = appendJSONString(buf, str)
+				_ = AppendString(buf, str)
 			}
 		})
 	}
 }
 
-func BenchmarkAppendJSONBytes(b *testing.B) {
+func BenchmarkappendBytes(b *testing.B) {
 	tests := map[string]string{
 		"NoEncoding":       `aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa`,
 		"EncodingFirst":    `"aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa`,
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ func BenchmarkAppendJSONBytes(b *testing.B) {
 		b.Run(name, func(b *testing.B) {
 			buf := make([]byte, 0, 100)
 			for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-				_ = appendJSONBytes(buf, byt)
+				_ = AppendBytes(buf, byt)
 			}
 		})
 	}
diff --git a/internal/json/time.go b/internal/json/time.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..612438d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/json/time.go
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+package json
+
+import (
+	"strconv"
+	"time"
+)
+
+func AppendTime(dst []byte, t time.Time, format string) []byte {
+	if format == "" {
+		return AppendInt64(dst, t.Unix())
+	}
+	return append(t.AppendFormat(append(dst, '"'), format), '"')
+}
+
+func AppendTimes(dst []byte, vals []time.Time, format string) []byte {
+	if format == "" {
+		return appendUnixTimes(dst, vals)
+	}
+	if len(vals) == 0 {
+		return append(dst, '[', ']')
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, '[')
+	dst = append(vals[0].AppendFormat(append(dst, '"'), format), '"')
+	if len(vals) > 1 {
+		for _, t := range vals[1:] {
+			dst = append(t.AppendFormat(append(dst, ',', '"'), format), '"')
+		}
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, ']')
+	return dst
+}
+
+func appendUnixTimes(dst []byte, vals []time.Time) []byte {
+	if len(vals) == 0 {
+		return append(dst, '[', ']')
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, '[')
+	dst = strconv.AppendInt(dst, vals[0].Unix(), 10)
+	if len(vals) > 1 {
+		for _, t := range vals[1:] {
+			dst = strconv.AppendInt(dst, t.Unix(), 10)
+		}
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, ']')
+	return dst
+}
+
+func AppendDuration(dst []byte, d time.Duration, unit time.Duration, useInt bool) []byte {
+	if useInt {
+		return strconv.AppendInt(dst, int64(d/unit), 10)
+	}
+	return AppendFloat64(dst, float64(d)/float64(unit))
+}
+
+func AppendDurations(dst []byte, vals []time.Duration, unit time.Duration, useInt bool) []byte {
+	if len(vals) == 0 {
+		return append(dst, '[', ']')
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, '[')
+	dst = AppendDuration(dst, vals[0], unit, useInt)
+	if len(vals) > 1 {
+		for _, d := range vals[1:] {
+			dst = AppendDuration(append(dst, ','), d, unit, useInt)
+		}
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, ']')
+	return dst
+}
diff --git a/internal/json/types.go b/internal/json/types.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bbc8e42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/json/types.go
@@ -0,0 +1,278 @@
+package json
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"math"
+	"strconv"
+)
+
+func AppendBool(dst []byte, val bool) []byte {
+	return strconv.AppendBool(dst, val)
+}
+
+func AppendBools(dst []byte, vals []bool) []byte {
+	if len(vals) == 0 {
+		return append(dst, '[', ']')
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, '[')
+	dst = strconv.AppendBool(dst, vals[0])
+	if len(vals) > 1 {
+		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
+			dst = strconv.AppendBool(append(dst, ','), val)
+		}
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, ']')
+	return dst
+}
+
+func AppendInt(dst []byte, val int) []byte {
+	return strconv.AppendInt(dst, int64(val), 10)
+}
+
+func AppendInts(dst []byte, vals []int) []byte {
+	if len(vals) == 0 {
+		return append(dst, '[', ']')
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, '[')
+	dst = strconv.AppendInt(dst, int64(vals[0]), 10)
+	if len(vals) > 1 {
+		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
+			dst = strconv.AppendInt(append(dst, ','), int64(val), 10)
+		}
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, ']')
+	return dst
+}
+
+func AppendInt8(dst []byte, val int8) []byte {
+	return strconv.AppendInt(dst, int64(val), 10)
+}
+
+func AppendInts8(dst []byte, vals []int8) []byte {
+	if len(vals) == 0 {
+		return append(dst, '[', ']')
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, '[')
+	dst = strconv.AppendInt(dst, int64(vals[0]), 10)
+	if len(vals) > 1 {
+		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
+			dst = strconv.AppendInt(append(dst, ','), int64(val), 10)
+		}
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, ']')
+	return dst
+}
+
+func AppendInt16(dst []byte, val int16) []byte {
+	return strconv.AppendInt(dst, int64(val), 10)
+}
+
+func AppendInts16(dst []byte, vals []int16) []byte {
+	if len(vals) == 0 {
+		return append(dst, '[', ']')
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, '[')
+	dst = strconv.AppendInt(dst, int64(vals[0]), 10)
+	if len(vals) > 1 {
+		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
+			dst = strconv.AppendInt(append(dst, ','), int64(val), 10)
+		}
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, ']')
+	return dst
+}
+
+func AppendInt32(dst []byte, val int32) []byte {
+	return strconv.AppendInt(dst, int64(val), 10)
+}
+
+func AppendInts32(dst []byte, vals []int32) []byte {
+	if len(vals) == 0 {
+		return append(dst, '[', ']')
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, '[')
+	dst = strconv.AppendInt(dst, int64(vals[0]), 10)
+	if len(vals) > 1 {
+		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
+			dst = strconv.AppendInt(append(dst, ','), int64(val), 10)
+		}
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, ']')
+	return dst
+}
+
+func AppendInt64(dst []byte, val int64) []byte {
+	return strconv.AppendInt(dst, val, 10)
+}
+
+func AppendInts64(dst []byte, vals []int64) []byte {
+	if len(vals) == 0 {
+		return append(dst, '[', ']')
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, '[')
+	dst = strconv.AppendInt(dst, vals[0], 10)
+	if len(vals) > 1 {
+		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
+			dst = strconv.AppendInt(append(dst, ','), val, 10)
+		}
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, ']')
+	return dst
+}
+
+func AppendUint(dst []byte, val uint) []byte {
+	return strconv.AppendUint(dst, uint64(val), 10)
+}
+
+func AppendUints(dst []byte, vals []uint) []byte {
+	if len(vals) == 0 {
+		return append(dst, '[', ']')
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, '[')
+	dst = strconv.AppendUint(dst, uint64(vals[0]), 10)
+	if len(vals) > 1 {
+		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
+			dst = strconv.AppendUint(append(dst, ','), uint64(val), 10)
+		}
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, ']')
+	return dst
+}
+
+func AppendUint8(dst []byte, val uint8) []byte {
+	return strconv.AppendUint(dst, uint64(val), 10)
+}
+
+func AppendUints8(dst []byte, vals []uint8) []byte {
+	if len(vals) == 0 {
+		return append(dst, '[', ']')
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, '[')
+	dst = strconv.AppendUint(dst, uint64(vals[0]), 10)
+	if len(vals) > 1 {
+		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
+			dst = strconv.AppendUint(append(dst, ','), uint64(val), 10)
+		}
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, ']')
+	return dst
+}
+
+func AppendUint16(dst []byte, val uint16) []byte {
+	return strconv.AppendUint(dst, uint64(val), 10)
+}
+
+func AppendUints16(dst []byte, vals []uint16) []byte {
+	if len(vals) == 0 {
+		return append(dst, '[', ']')
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, '[')
+	dst = strconv.AppendUint(dst, uint64(vals[0]), 10)
+	if len(vals) > 1 {
+		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
+			dst = strconv.AppendUint(append(dst, ','), uint64(val), 10)
+		}
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, ']')
+	return dst
+}
+
+func AppendUint32(dst []byte, val uint32) []byte {
+	return strconv.AppendUint(dst, uint64(val), 10)
+}
+
+func AppendUints32(dst []byte, vals []uint32) []byte {
+	if len(vals) == 0 {
+		return append(dst, '[', ']')
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, '[')
+	dst = strconv.AppendUint(dst, uint64(vals[0]), 10)
+	if len(vals) > 1 {
+		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
+			dst = strconv.AppendUint(append(dst, ','), uint64(val), 10)
+		}
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, ']')
+	return dst
+}
+
+func AppendUint64(dst []byte, val uint64) []byte {
+	return strconv.AppendUint(dst, uint64(val), 10)
+}
+
+func AppendUints64(dst []byte, vals []uint64) []byte {
+	if len(vals) == 0 {
+		return append(dst, '[', ']')
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, '[')
+	dst = strconv.AppendUint(dst, vals[0], 10)
+	if len(vals) > 1 {
+		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
+			dst = strconv.AppendUint(append(dst, ','), val, 10)
+		}
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, ']')
+	return dst
+}
+
+func AppendFloat(dst []byte, val float64, bitSize int) []byte {
+	// JSON does not permit NaN or Infinity. A typical JSON encoder would fail
+	// with an error, but a logging library wants the data to get thru so we
+	// make a tradeoff and store those types as string.
+	switch {
+	case math.IsNaN(val):
+		return append(dst, `"NaN"`...)
+	case math.IsInf(val, 1):
+		return append(dst, `"+Inf"`...)
+	case math.IsInf(val, -1):
+		return append(dst, `"-Inf"`...)
+	}
+	return strconv.AppendFloat(dst, val, 'f', -1, bitSize)
+}
+
+func AppendFloat32(dst []byte, val float32) []byte {
+	return AppendFloat(dst, float64(val), 32)
+}
+
+func AppendFloats32(dst []byte, vals []float32) []byte {
+	if len(vals) == 0 {
+		return append(dst, '[', ']')
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, '[')
+	dst = AppendFloat(dst, float64(vals[0]), 32)
+	if len(vals) > 1 {
+		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
+			dst = AppendFloat(append(dst, ','), float64(val), 32)
+		}
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, ']')
+	return dst
+}
+
+func AppendFloat64(dst []byte, val float64) []byte {
+	return AppendFloat(dst, val, 64)
+}
+
+func AppendFloats64(dst []byte, vals []float64) []byte {
+	if len(vals) == 0 {
+		return append(dst, '[', ']')
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, '[')
+	dst = AppendFloat(dst, vals[0], 32)
+	if len(vals) > 1 {
+		for _, val := range vals[1:] {
+			dst = AppendFloat(append(dst, ','), val, 64)
+		}
+	}
+	dst = append(dst, ']')
+	return dst
+}
+
+func AppendInterface(dst []byte, i interface{}) []byte {
+	marshaled, err := json.Marshal(i)
+	if err != nil {
+		return AppendString(dst, fmt.Sprintf("marshaling error: %v", err))
+	}
+	return append(dst, marshaled...)
+}
diff --git a/internal/json/types_test.go b/internal/json/types_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6a297a8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/json/types_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+package json
+
+import (
+	"math"
+	"reflect"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func Test_appendFloat64(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name  string
+		input float64
+		want  []byte
+	}{
+		{"-Inf", math.Inf(-1), []byte(`"-Inf"`)},
+		{"+Inf", math.Inf(1), []byte(`"+Inf"`)},
+		{"NaN", math.NaN(), []byte(`"NaN"`)},
+		{"0", 0, []byte(`0`)},
+		{"-1.1", -1.1, []byte(`-1.1`)},
+		{"1e20", 1e20, []byte(`100000000000000000000`)},
+		{"1e21", 1e21, []byte(`1000000000000000000000`)},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if got := AppendFloat32([]byte{}, float32(tt.input)); !reflect.DeepEqual(got, tt.want) {
+				t.Errorf("appendFloat32() = %s, want %s", got, tt.want)
+			}
+			if got := AppendFloat64([]byte{}, tt.input); !reflect.DeepEqual(got, tt.want) {
+				t.Errorf("appendFloat32() = %s, want %s", got, tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
diff --git a/log.go b/log.go
index 3247e9d..71db0b5 100644
--- a/log.go
+++ b/log.go
@@ -73,6 +73,8 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"strconv"
 	"sync/atomic"
+
+	"github.com/rs/zerolog/internal/json"
 )
 
 // Level defines log levels.
@@ -306,7 +308,7 @@ func (l Logger) newEvent(level Level, addLevelField bool, done func(string)) *Ev
 	e.done = done
 	if l.context != nil && len(l.context) > 0 && l.context[0] > 0 {
 		// first byte of context is ts flag
-		e.buf = appendTimestamp(e.buf)
+		e.buf = json.AppendTime(json.AppendKey(e.buf, TimestampFieldName), TimestampFunc(), TimeFieldFormat)
 	}
 	if addLevelField {
 		e.Str(LevelFieldName, level.String())