YAML ↔ JSON Converter
Convert between YAML and JSON formats online. Our converter supports bidirectional conversion with validation, proper formatting, and error detection to help you work with data interchange formats.
YAML ↔ JSON Converter
Convert between YAML and JSON formats with validation and formatting.
Features
YAML to JSON
- • Convert YAML to formatted JSON
- • Support for nested structures
- • Array and object handling
JSON to YAML
- • Convert JSON to clean YAML
- • Proper indentation
- • Human-readable format
Validation
- • Syntax validation
- • Error detection
- • Format verification
File Operations
- • Upload YAML/JSON files
- • Download converted results
- • Copy to clipboard
How to Use the YAML ↔ JSON Converter
- Choose Direction: Select YAML to JSON or JSON to YAML conversion mode
- Input Data: Paste your YAML or JSON content in the input area or upload a file
- Convert: Click the convert button to transform your data to the target format
- Download or Copy: Save the converted result or copy it to clipboard
What is YAML?
YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) is a human-readable data serialization standard commonly used for configuration files, data exchange, and storing structured data. YAML uses indentation to represent structure and is designed to be easily readable by humans.
What is JSON?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight, text-based data interchange format that's easy for humans to read and write, and easy for machines to parse and generate. Despite its origins in JavaScript, JSON is language-independent and widely used across different platforms.
YAML vs JSON Comparison
| Feature | YAML | JSON |
|---|---|---|
| Readability | Very high - uses indentation | Good - uses brackets and braces |
| Comments | Supported with # | Not supported |
| File Size | Typically smaller | Can be larger due to brackets |
| Parsing Speed | Slower - complex parsing | Faster - simpler structure |
Common Use Cases
YAML Use Cases
- Configuration Files: Application settings, CI/CD pipelines
- Documentation: API documentation, data schemas
- Infrastructure as Code: Docker Compose, Kubernetes manifests
- Data Exchange: Human-readable data transfer
JSON Use Cases
- APIs: REST API requests and responses
- Web Development: AJAX data exchange, configuration
- Databases: Document databases, data storage
- Mobile Apps: Data synchronization, app configuration
Conversion Best Practices
- Always validate your data after conversion
- Be aware of data type differences between formats
- Test with sample data before converting large files
- Keep backups of original files before conversion
- Check for character encoding issues in international data
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my data secure when using this converter?
Yes, all conversion happens entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your data is never sent to our servers or stored anywhere. This ensures complete privacy and security for your sensitive YAML and JSON content.
Can I convert large YAML or JSON files?
Yes, our converter can handle large files efficiently. However, very large files may take longer to process depending on your browser and device performance. For optimal performance with extremely large files, consider breaking them into smaller chunks.
What happens to comments when converting YAML to JSON?
Comments in YAML (lines starting with #) are ignored during conversion to JSON since JSON doesn't support comments. The structural data is preserved, but any commentary will be lost in the conversion process.
Are there any limitations to the YAML parser?
Our YAML parser handles most common YAML features including nested objects, arrays, and basic data types. However, some advanced YAML features like anchors (&), aliases (*), and multi-document files may not be fully supported.
Can I validate YAML or JSON without converting?
Yes, you can use the "Validate" button to check if your YAML or JSON syntax is correct without performing a conversion. This is useful for debugging syntax errors in your data files.