YAML ↔ JSON Converter

Convert YAML to JSON or JSON to YAML. Handles nested structures, arrays, and common YAML syntax.

🔒 100% private — runs entirely in your browser

Input (YAML or JSON)

or try sample data

What is YAML?

YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) is a human-readable data serialization format commonly used for configuration files (Docker Compose, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, Ansible). It uses indentation to represent hierarchy, making it more readable than JSON for configuration but requiring a parser to convert to machine-readable formats.

YAML → JSON — parse YAML and output formatted JSON.
JSON → YAML — convert JSON objects to clean YAML syntax.
Nested structures — handles objects, arrays, and deeply nested data.
Common YAML features — supports comments, quoted strings, booleans, numbers, null, and block scalars (| and >).
Swap — move output back to input for round-trip conversions.
Limitations — does not support YAML anchors (&), aliases (*), custom tags, or merge keys (<<). For those, use a full YAML library.

How to Use YAML/JSON Converter

Convert between YAML and JSON in three steps.

1. Paste YAML or JSON

Enter your YAML or JSON content in the input panel. The tool accepts both formats and auto-detects which one you've provided.

2. Click Convert

Hit Convert to transform YAML to JSON or JSON to YAML. The output preserves the data structure including nested objects, arrays, and scalar types.

3. Copy or Swap

Copy the converted result, or click Swap to move the output back to the input for round-trip verification.

Common Use Cases

Converting Kubernetes Manifests

Convert K8s YAML manifests to JSON for use with kubectl apply -f in JSON mode, API calls, or programmatic manipulation with tools that only accept JSON input.

Converting API Responses to YAML Configs

Take a JSON API response and convert it to YAML format for use in configuration files, Docker Compose, Ansible playbooks, or Helm charts.

Debugging YAML Indentation

Paste problematic YAML, convert to JSON to verify the parsed structure, then convert back to YAML to get a clean, properly indented version.

Generating YAML from JSON Schema Defaults

Start with JSON defaults and convert to YAML to create human-friendly configuration templates that developers can edit and commit to version control.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert YAML to JSON online?

Paste your YAML content into the input panel and click Convert to JSON. The tool parses the YAML structure and produces properly formatted JSON output. You can also convert in the reverse direction — paste JSON and click Convert to YAML.

What is the difference between YAML and JSON?

JSON uses braces, brackets, and quotes with a strict syntax. YAML uses indentation and minimal punctuation, making it more human-readable. JSON is better for APIs and data exchange due to its strict parsing rules. YAML is preferred for configuration files (Kubernetes, Docker Compose, CI/CD pipelines) because it's easier to read and write by hand.

Is my data safe when converting YAML and JSON here?

Yes. All parsing and conversion happens entirely in your browser. Your configuration files, which may contain secrets or sensitive settings, are never sent to any server.

Can I use this for Kubernetes and Docker Compose files?

Yes. This tool handles the YAML structures commonly used in Kubernetes manifests, Docker Compose files, GitHub Actions workflows, and other DevOps configuration files. Convert between YAML and JSON to use whichever format your tools require.

Does this tool validate YAML syntax?

Yes. If your YAML has syntax errors — incorrect indentation, invalid characters, or structural problems — the tool displays an error message indicating what went wrong and where. This makes it useful as a YAML linter in addition to a converter.

Does this tool preserve YAML comments?

No. JSON does not support comments, so any YAML comments are lost when converting to JSON. If you convert JSON back to YAML, the original comments will not be restored. This is a fundamental limitation of the JSON format, not the tool.