JSON ↔ YAML Converter
Convert between JSON and YAML formats instantly with real-time validation and configurable formatting options.
About This Tool
The JSON to YAML Converter is a free, browser-based utility that transforms data between JSON and YAML formats in real time. Whether you are migrating a configuration file from one format to another, debugging a Kubernetes manifest, or simply exploring how the same data looks in both serialization formats, this tool makes the process effortless.
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is the dominant format for web APIs and application configuration. YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) is widely used in DevOps tooling, CI/CD pipelines, Docker Compose files, Kubernetes manifests, and Ansible playbooks because of its human-readable, indentation-based syntax. Being able to quickly convert between the two saves developers significant time during daily work.
All conversion happens entirely in your browser using the js-yaml library and native JSON.parse. Your data never leaves your machine — there are no server round-trips, no logging, and no third-party services involved. This makes it safe to convert configuration files that contain secrets, API keys, or other sensitive values.
The tool includes configurable formatting options: choose between 2-space and 4-space indentation, toggle key sorting for deterministic output, and set the YAML flow level to control whether nested structures use block style or inline notation. The conversion runs automatically as you type, and errors are displayed immediately with clear messages to help you fix invalid input.
How to Use
- Select the conversion direction using the JSON → YAML or YAML → JSON toggle button at the top.
- Paste or type your data into the Input panel on the left. Alternatively, click Sample to load example data.
- The converted output appears instantly in the Output panel on the right.
- Adjust options like indentation, flow level, and key sorting in the options bar.
- Click Copy to copy the output, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+C.
- Use the Swap button to reverse the direction and move the current output into the input, letting you round-trip conversions easily.
- Click Clear to reset both panels.
FAQ
Is my data sent to a server?
No. All conversion is performed entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your data never leaves your machine. There are no network requests, no logging, and no analytics on your input.
What is the difference between JSON and YAML?
JSON uses braces and brackets with strict syntax rules, while YAML relies on indentation and is designed to be more human-readable. JSON is ubiquitous in web APIs, while YAML is popular for configuration files in DevOps tools like Kubernetes, Docker Compose, and GitHub Actions.
What does the Flow Level option do?
Flow level controls how nested structures are formatted in YAML. Block (level -1) uses indentation for all nesting, which is the most readable. Level 0 renders the top-level object in flow (inline) style. Level 1 renders one level deep in flow style. Block mode is recommended for most use cases.
Does the tool preserve key order?
By default, keys are preserved in their original order. You can enable the Sort Keys option to sort all object keys alphabetically, which is useful for generating deterministic output for version control diffs.
Can I convert multi-document YAML?
This tool processes single YAML documents. If your YAML file contains multiple documents separated by ---, only the first document will be parsed. Split your file into individual documents before converting.
What keyboard shortcuts are available?
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to copy the converted output to your clipboard.
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