YAML ⇄ JSON Converter

Overview

This YAML to JSON converter transforms YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) configuration data into JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format. It also works as a JSON to YAML converter for creating human-readable configuration files.

YAML is the preferred format for configuration files in DevOps tools like Docker Compose, Kubernetes, Ansible and CI/CD pipelines. JSON is the standard format for APIs and programmatic access. This tool bridges the gap when you need to work with both formats.

When to Use This Tool

Use this YAML JSON converter to bridge configuration files and APIs. After conversion, use our JSON Formatter to beautify or JSON Validator to validate your JSON.

Common use cases:

• Converting Kubernetes manifests for API calls or programmatic manipulation
• Transforming Docker Compose files for scripting or automation
• Converting CI/CD pipeline configs (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI) for validation tools
• Creating YAML configs from JSON API responses or exports
• Debugging configuration issues by viewing YAML as structured JSON
• Converting Ansible playbooks for integration with JSON-based tools

How to Use

1. Select the conversion direction - Choose "YAML to JSON" or "JSON to YAML" using the toggle buttons.
2. Paste your input data - Enter your YAML configuration or JSON data in the left input area.
3. Click Convert - Press the Convert button to transform your data.
4. Copy the result - Use the Copy button to copy the converted output to your clipboard.
5. Swap and convert back - Click "Swap & Convert Back" to reverse the conversion if needed.

How It Works

YAML to JSON Conversion

• Indentation is parsed into nested JSON object structure
• Key-value pairs become JSON object properties
• Lists with dashes become JSON arrays
• Type inference converts numbers, booleans and null values
• Comments are ignored (JSON does not support comments)

JSON to YAML Conversion

• Object properties become YAML key-value pairs
• Nested objects are indented appropriately
• Arrays become YAML lists with dash prefixes
• Strings with special characters are properly quoted

Limitations and Considerations

• Comments - YAML comments are not preserved in JSON conversion.
• Anchors and aliases - YAML references are expanded, not preserved.
• Multi-document YAML - Only single documents are supported.
• Complex keys - YAML allows complex keys; these may not convert perfectly.
• Binary data - YAML binary data types require special handling.
• Custom tags - YAML custom type tags are treated as strings.

Examples

YAML to JSON Example

Converting a Docker Compose configuration from YAML to JSON:

version: "3.8"
services:
  web:
    image: nginx:latest
    ports:
      - "80: 80"
    environment:
      - NODE_ENV=production
  database:
    image: postgres:14
    volumes:
      - db_data: /var/lib/postgresql/data

{
  "version": "3.8",
  "services": {
    "web": {
      "image": "nginx:latest",
      "ports": [
        "80:80"
      ],
      "environment": [
        "NODE_ENV=production"
      ]
    },
    "database": {
      "image": "postgres:14",
      "volumes": [
        "db_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data"
      ]
    }
  }
}

JSON to YAML Example

Converting API configuration from JSON to YAML:

{
  "server": {
    "host": "0.0.0.0",
    "port": 3000,
    "ssl": true
  },
  "database": {
    "host": "localhost",
    "name": "myapp",
    "pool_size": 10
  }
}

server:
  host: 0.0.0.0
  port: 3000
  ssl: true
database:
  host: localhost
  name: myapp
  pool_size: 10

Frequently Asked Questions