JSON to YAML Converter
Bidirectional JSON ↔ YAML converter for Docker Compose, Kubernetes manifests, GitHub Actions, and CI configs. Customize indent, inline short arrays, and preserve types across conversions.
Why Use JSON to YAML Converter?
Docker Compose, Kubernetes manifests, GitHub Actions, and CircleCI all expect YAML. APIs and npm scripts return JSON. Any time you copy config between those worlds, you need a converter — and most online ones send your infrastructure config (with potentially sensitive secrets) through their server. This converter runs locally and round-trips cleanly: arrays stay arrays, strings that look like YAML special forms (`y`, `no`, `1.2.3`) are quoted correctly, and numeric precision is preserved. Useful when translating an API payload into an Ansible variables file, or the other way when scaffolding a new workflow.
How to Use JSON to YAML Converter
- Paste your JSON into the left input panel. The tool converts it to YAML in real-time as you type.
- Adjust formatting options: choose 2 or 4 space indentation, enable inline short arrays, or toggle string quoting.
- Click the Swap button to switch to YAML → JSON mode and convert YAML back to JSON.
- Copy the output to your clipboard or download it as a .yaml or .json file.
Worked Examples
JSON API response → Kubernetes env block
{ "env": [ { "name": "DB", "value": "postgres" } ] }env:\n - name: DB\n value: postgres
Output is ready to paste into a Deployment manifest's container spec.
YAML config → JSON for an API PATCH
version: 1\nsettings:\n debug: true
{"version":1,"settings":{"debug":true}}Comments in the YAML are stripped since JSON has no comment equivalent.
Preserve multi-line string in YAML
{ "banner": "Line one\\nLine two" }banner: |-\n Line one\n Line two
The block scalar `|-` syntax is YAML's idiomatic way to preserve newlines.
About JSON to YAML Converter
The JSON to YAML Converter is a free online tool that converts between JSON and YAML formats instantly. JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) and YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) are both popular data serialization formats, but they serve different purposes. JSON is the standard for APIs and data exchange, while YAML is preferred for configuration files like Docker Compose, Kubernetes manifests, GitHub Actions workflows, and CI/CD pipelines because of its human-readable syntax and support for comments. This bidirectional converter handles nested objects, arrays, null values, booleans, multiline strings, and all standard YAML features. Customize the output with indent size options and inline array formatting. Everything runs 100% client-side in your browser — your data never leaves your device.
Troubleshooting & Common Issues
YAML output quotes values that look fine
YAML 1.1 treats `yes`, `no`, `on`, `off`, `y`, `n` as booleans — so the converter quotes any string that looks like one to prevent accidental conversion. This is correct behavior; the quotes don't change the value. Switch to YAML 1.2 mode if supported to reduce unnecessary quoting.
Indentation errors when parsing YAML → JSON
YAML is whitespace-sensitive — mixing tabs and spaces or using wrong indent counts breaks the parse. The error message shows line and column. Normalize all indentation to consistent spaces (2 or 4) and never use tab characters.
Comments from YAML disappeared in JSON
JSON doesn't support comments — standard libraries reject `//` or `#` comments. To keep metadata, add a `_comment` field at the top of the JSON. Or preserve comments as a leading string value if you need to round-trip.
Numeric version strings (`1.2.30`) parse as numbers
YAML interprets `1.2.30` as a number and loses the trailing zero. Quote version strings explicitly: `version: "1.2.30"`. The converter auto-quotes known version-looking strings when going JSON → YAML.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert JSON to YAML?
Paste your JSON into the left input panel and the tool instantly converts it to YAML in the right panel. You can customize the output with 2 or 4 space indentation, inline short arrays, and string quoting options. Copy or download the result when ready.
Can I convert YAML to JSON?
Yes! Click the Swap button to switch to YAML → JSON mode. Paste your YAML in the left panel and get clean, formatted JSON output. The tool handles YAML features like comments (stripped in JSON output), anchors, and multiline strings.
What is the difference between JSON and YAML?
JSON uses braces {} and brackets [] with strict syntax, while YAML uses indentation-based structure that's more human-readable. YAML supports comments, JSON doesn't. JSON is standard for APIs and JavaScript, while YAML is preferred for configuration files (Docker, Kubernetes, GitHub Actions). Both represent the same data structures.
Does the converter handle nested objects and arrays?
Yes. The converter fully supports deeply nested objects, arrays of objects, mixed types, null values, booleans, numbers, and multiline strings. Nested YAML structures are properly indented, and nested JSON is correctly formatted with braces and brackets.
Is YAML a superset of JSON?
Technically yes — valid JSON is also valid YAML (since YAML 1.2). However, they have different conventions and strengths. YAML adds features like comments, anchors/aliases, and multiline strings that JSON doesn't support. This tool converts between their conventional formats.
Is my data safe when converting?
Yes. This JSON to YAML converter runs 100% client-side in your browser. No data is ever transmitted to any server. Your JSON and YAML content stays completely private on your device.
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