JSON ↔ YAML Converter
Convert between JSON and YAML formats instantly. Perfect for configuration files.
About
JSON: JavaScript Object Notation - widely used for APIs and data exchange.
YAML: YAML Ain't Markup Language - human-readable, great for config files.
Common Uses
- • Convert API responses to config files
- • Docker Compose configurations
- • Kubernetes manifests
- • CI/CD pipeline configs
Complete Guide to JSON and YAML
Understanding JSON
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is the universal language of data exchange on the web. It's used by virtually every REST API, NoSQL database, and configuration system. JSON's strict syntax ensures reliable parsing across all programming languages.
JSON uses curly braces for objects, square brackets for arrays, and requires double quotes around string keys and values. While less readable than YAML, its simplicity and universal support make it the standard for API responses and data storage.
{
"name": "DevToolVault",
"tools": ["AI", "SEO", "Dev"],
"active": true
}Understanding YAML
YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) prioritizes human readability over compactness. It's the preferred format for configuration files in DevOps tools like Docker, Kubernetes, GitHub Actions, and many CI/CD platforms.
YAML uses indentation to show structure (similar to Python), supports comments with #, and allows unquoted strings. This makes it easier to read and edit by hand, perfect for configuration files that developers frequently modify.
# Application config name: DevToolVault tools: - AI - SEO - Dev active: true
JSON vs YAML Comparison
| Feature | JSON | YAML |
|---|---|---|
| Readability | Moderate (verbose) | High (clean, minimal) |
| Comments | ❌ Not supported | ✅ Supported (#) |
| Parsing Speed | ✅ Very fast | Slower (complex parsing) |
| Use Case | APIs, data exchange | Config files, DevOps |
| Multi-line Strings | Limited (\n escapes) | ✅ Native support (| and >) |
| File Extension | .json | .yaml, .yml |
Common Use Cases
🐳 Docker & Docker Compose
docker-compose.yml files define multi-container applications. Convert JSON service definitions to YAML for cleaner configs.
☸️ Kubernetes
K8s manifests (deployments, services, pods) use YAML. Convert kubectl JSON output to readable YAML for editing.
🔄 CI/CD Pipelines
GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, and CircleCI all use YAML. Convert workflow templates between formats.
📦 Package Configs
Tools like ESLint support both .eslintrc.json and .eslintrc.yaml. Choose your preferred format.
☁️ Cloud Infrastructure
AWS CloudFormation and Terraform support both formats. YAML often preferred for readability.
🤖 AI Model Configs
ML frameworks like PyTorch use YAML for hyperparameters. Convert between JSON training configs.
🔒 Safe for Sensitive Configs
This converter runs 100% in your browser. Your configuration files, including those with API keys, database passwords, and secrets, are never uploaded anywhere. Perfect for converting production configs, .env files, and Kubernetes secrets safely.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between JSON and YAML?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) and YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) are both data serialization formats. JSON uses braces, brackets, and strict syntax with no comments allowed. YAML uses indentation-based structure, supports comments, and is more human-readable. JSON is better for APIs and data exchange due to universal parsing support. YAML is preferred for configuration files where readability matters, like Docker Compose, Kubernetes manifests, and CI/CD pipelines.
When should I use YAML instead of JSON?
Use YAML when: 1) Human readability is important (config files edited by hand), 2) You need comments to document settings, 3) Working with DevOps tools (Docker, Kubernetes, GitHub Actions), 4) The file will be version-controlled and reviewed. Use JSON when: 1) Exchanging data between systems/APIs, 2) Strict parsing is needed, 3) The data will be programmatically generated, 4) Working with JavaScript applications.
Can YAML handle all JSON data structures?
Yes, YAML is a superset of JSON, meaning all valid JSON is also valid YAML. However, converting JSON to YAML makes the output more readable with indentation instead of braces. When converting YAML to JSON, you may lose comments (JSON doesn't support them) and some YAML-specific features like anchors and aliases. Our converter handles all standard data structures: objects, arrays, strings, numbers, booleans, and null values.
Why is my YAML not converting properly?
Common YAML errors include: 1) Incorrect indentation (YAML is whitespace-sensitive, use consistent spaces, not tabs), 2) Missing colons after keys, 3) Unquoted strings that contain special characters like :, #, -, or starting with @, 4) Multi-line strings not properly formatted. Our converter provides detailed error messages to help identify the issue. Always use consistent 2-space indentation for best results.
Is this converter safe for sensitive configuration data?
Yes, absolutely. This converter runs 100% in your browser using JavaScript. Your configuration files, API keys, database credentials, and other sensitive data are never sent to any server. You can verify this by checking your browser's network tab—no data transmission occurs. This makes it safe for converting production configs, environment files, and secrets.
What YAML features are supported in this converter?
This converter supports all standard YAML 1.2 features including: objects/maps, arrays/lists, strings (single, double-quoted, and unquoted), numbers (integers, floats, scientific notation), booleans (true/false, yes/no, on/off), null values, multi-line strings (literal |, folded >), and nested structures. Complex features like anchors (&) and aliases (*) are parsed but converted to their resolved values in JSON.
How do I handle multi-line strings in YAML?
YAML offers two multi-line string styles: Literal Block (|) preserves line breaks exactly as written—great for scripts, SQL queries, or formatted text. Folded Block (>) collapses line breaks into spaces—useful for long descriptions. Add modifiers like |+ (keep trailing newlines) or |- (strip trailing newlines). In JSON output, multi-line strings become single strings with \n characters.
Can I convert partial or nested JSON/YAML?
Yes, you can convert any valid JSON or YAML fragment, not just complete documents. Paste an array, a nested object, or any valid structure. The converter will process it correctly. This is useful when working with specific sections of larger configuration files or extracting parts of API responses.
Mastering Configuration File Formats
Whether you're deploying microservices with Docker, managing infrastructure with Kubernetes, or setting up CI/CD pipelines, understanding both JSON and YAML is essential for modern development. This converter helps you work fluently between both formats.
As AI and LLM applications grow, configuration management becomes even more critical. Model configs, training parameters, and deployment settings are often stored in YAML or JSON. Being able to quickly convert and validate these files saves time and prevents deployment errors.
Explore our complete suite of developer toolsfor more utilities that streamline your workflow, from JSON validation to code formatting and beyond.