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JSON to YAML Converter

Seamlessly convert between JSON and YAML formats.

JSON

YAML

What is JSON to YAML Conversion?

JSON to YAML conversion transforms JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) into YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) format and vice versa. This is essential for developers working with configuration files, DevOps tools, and modern cloud-native applications.

While JSON is the standard for APIs and data exchange, YAML has become the preferred format for configuration files due to its human-readable syntax and support for comments. Tools like Kubernetes, Docker Compose, GitHub Actions, Ansible, and many others use YAML for their configuration.

How to Convert JSON to YAML

  1. Paste your JSON code into the left panel.
  2. Click the arrow pointing right (→).
  3. Copy the generated YAML from the right panel.
  4. Use the YAML in your configuration files.

How to Convert YAML to JSON

  1. Paste your YAML code into the right panel.
  2. Click the arrow pointing left (←).
  3. Copy the generated JSON from the left panel.
  4. Use the JSON in your application or API.

Example: JSON to YAML

Input JSON:

{
  "apiVersion": "v1",
  "kind": "Service",
  "metadata": {
    "name": "my-service"
  },
  "spec": {
    "ports": [
      {"port": 80, "targetPort": 8080}
    ]
  }
}

Output YAML:

apiVersion: v1
kind: Service
metadata:
  name: my-service
spec:
  ports:
    - port: 80
      targetPort: 8080

Key Features

  • Bidirectional Conversion: Instantly switch between JSON and YAML formats.
  • Syntax Validation: Ensures your input is valid before converting.
  • Privacy-Focused: All processing happens in your browser. No data sent to servers.
  • Preserves Structure: Maintains nested objects and arrays correctly.
  • DevOps Ready: Perfect for Kubernetes, Docker, and CI/CD configs.

Why Use YAML Over JSON?

YAML offers several advantages for configuration files:

  • Human-Readable: Cleaner syntax without brackets and quotes
  • Comments: Supports inline comments (JSON doesn't)
  • Less Verbose: Requires fewer characters for the same data
  • Industry Standard: Preferred by Kubernetes, Ansible, and Docker

Common Use Cases

  • Converting Kubernetes manifests between formats
  • Working with Docker Compose files
  • Managing GitHub Actions workflows
  • Ansible playbook development
  • CI/CD pipeline configuration
  • API response formatting for configs

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between JSON and YAML?

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data format using curly braces and square brackets. YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) is a more human-readable format using indentation and colons. YAML supports comments and is often preferred for configuration files, while JSON is standard for APIs and data exchange.

Is my data safe when converting?

Yes, completely safe. All JSON to YAML conversion happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data is ever uploaded to our servers or any third party. Your configuration files and sensitive data remain private on your device.

Why would I convert JSON to YAML?

YAML is more human-readable and supports comments, making it ideal for configuration files (Kubernetes, Docker Compose, GitHub Actions, Ansible). Converting JSON to YAML makes configs easier to read and maintain. Many DevOps tools prefer YAML for its clarity.

Can I convert YAML back to JSON?

Yes! This tool supports bidirectional conversion. You can convert YAML to JSON just as easily. This is useful when you need to use YAML configs with tools that only accept JSON, or when integrating with APIs.

What YAML features are supported?

The converter supports standard YAML features including nested objects, arrays, strings, numbers, booleans, and null values. However, advanced YAML features like anchors, aliases, and custom tags may not convert perfectly to JSON since JSON doesn't support these concepts.

How do I handle YAML comments?

When converting YAML to JSON, comments are removed since JSON doesn't support comments. When converting JSON to YAML, you can manually add comments to the output YAML as needed using the # symbol.

Can I use this for Kubernetes configs?

Absolutely! This is one of the most common use cases. You can convert Kubernetes YAML manifests to JSON for programmatic manipulation, or convert JSON back to YAML for deployment. Many developers use this when working with kubectl or Helm.

What if my YAML has syntax errors?

The tool will attempt to validate your YAML before conversion and show error messages if there are syntax issues. Common errors include incorrect indentation (YAML is whitespace-sensitive), missing colons, or invalid characters.

Does indentation matter in YAML?

Yes, indentation is crucial in YAML! YAML uses indentation (usually 2 spaces) to represent nesting and structure. Mixing tabs and spaces or inconsistent indentation will cause errors. The converter will maintain proper indentation when converting from JSON.

Can I use this for Docker Compose files?

Yes! Docker Compose uses YAML format. You can convert docker-compose.yml files to JSON for processing or validation, and convert JSON back to YAML format for Docker Compose to use.