YAML ↔ JSON Converter
What this tool does
Paste YAML or JSON and the converter instantly transforms it to the other format. Switch between YAML→JSON and JSON→YAML with the toolbar tabs. The Swap button flips both the content and the direction at once. Live validation shows errors as you type so you can spot indentation or syntax problems before they reach production.
How to use
- Choose a direction: YAML→JSON or JSON→YAML.
- Paste your input or click Sample to load an example.
- The result appears instantly in the right panel.
- Click Swap to flip input and output, or Copy to copy the result.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between YAML and JSON?
YAML uses indentation and minimal punctuation, making it easier to read and write by hand. JSON uses braces, brackets, and quotes, making it more portable for APIs and programming languages. Both represent the same data structures: objects, arrays, strings, numbers, booleans, and null.
Can YAML do everything JSON can?
YAML is a superset of JSON — every valid JSON document is also valid YAML. YAML adds features JSON lacks: comments (lines starting with #), multiline strings (block scalars with | or >), and anchors for reusing values. JSON is simpler and faster to parse.
Why does YAML parsing sometimes fail?
Common causes: inconsistent indentation (tabs mixed with spaces, or misaligned levels), unquoted values that look like types (yes/no parsed as booleans, port numbers without quotes), colons inside unquoted strings, or missing spaces after colons.
Is this converter secure?
Yes. Conversion runs entirely in your browser with JavaScript. No data is sent to any server. Your YAML and JSON never leave your device.
When should I use YAML vs JSON?
Use YAML for configuration files that humans write and maintain — Docker Compose, Kubernetes, GitHub Actions, Ansible, and CI/CD pipelines all use YAML. Use JSON for API responses, data storage, and anything a program reads and writes. JSON has better tooling support across programming languages.