YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) is a human-readable data serialization format commonly used for configuration files.

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data interchange format that's easy for both humans and machines to read and write.

How does auto-detect work?

The tool tries to parse input as JSON first. If that fails, it treats it as YAML. This works for most cases.

No. All conversion happens in your browser. No data is transmitted to any server.

YAML JSON Converter
Bidirectional Conversion

Auto-detects format. Convert between YAML and JSON instantly with syntax validation and detailed error messages. Customize indentation and formatting options. 100% client-side. Zero data stored.

Mode:

Indent:

Minify output

Input

Output

Common Use Cases

Docker Compose

Convert docker-compose.yml to JSON for programmatic manipulation or validation with JSON Schema.

Kubernetes Configs

Transform Kubernetes YAML manifests to JSON for API requests or convert JSON responses back to YAML.

API Development

Convert OpenAPI/Swagger specs between YAML and JSON formats for different tooling requirements.

GitHub Actions

Debug GitHub Actions workflows by converting YAML to JSON for easier parsing and analysis.

Config Files

Convert application configuration between YAML (human-readable) and JSON (machine-readable) formats.

Data Migration

Transform data exports between formats when integrating systems with different format requirements.

Format Reference

YAML Features

Human-readable with minimal syntax
Uses indentation for structure (no brackets)
Supports comments with # symbol
Multi-document support with ---
Anchors (&) and aliases (*) for references

JSON Features

Native JavaScript format
Uses brackets { } and [ ] for structure
Strict syntax (quoted keys, no trailing commas)
Universal API data interchange format
Widely supported by all languages

Frequently Asked Questions

Why We Built YAML JSON Converter

Modern DevOps workflows constantly switch between YAML (Kubernetes, Docker Compose, GitHub Actions) and JSON (APIs, configuration, data interchange). Developers need a fast, reliable way to convert between these formats without installing command-line tools or uploading sensitive configuration files to third-party services.

Unlike online converters that send your data to external servers, this tool processes everything locally in your browser using the industry-standard js-yaml library. Your Docker secrets, Kubernetes configs, and API credentials never leave your computer.

We added features developers actually need: auto-format detection so you don't have to specify the input type, detailed error messages with line numbers for debugging, and flexible output formatting options including minification for production use.

YAML JSON Converter is part of RJL.io's collection of free developer tools - each designed to do one thing exceptionally well, with no accounts, no tracking, and no data collection. Check out our other tools: JSON Tools, Pretty Print, Diff Checker, and more.

YAML JSON Converter Bidirectional Conversion