What is the difference between JSON and YAML?

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) uses braces, brackets, and quotes to define data structures, while YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) uses indentation and minimal syntax. YAML is more human-readable and commonly used in DevOps tools like Kubernetes and Docker Compose.

Can I convert Kubernetes YAML to JSON?

Yes. Paste your Kubernetes manifest (Deployment, Service, ConfigMap, etc.) in the input area and the tool will instantly convert it to formatted JSON. You can also drag-and-drop .yaml or .yml files.

JSON ↔ YAML Converter - Free Online Tool

Indent

Converted output will appear here

Paste JSON on the left or load a sample

READY

UTF-8LN 1, COL 10 CHARSAUTO-SYNC

What Is JSON ↔ YAML Converter?

JSON ↔ YAML Converter is a free, browser-based tool that instantly converts between JSON and YAML formats. It is designed for DevOps engineers, SREs, and developers who frequently work with Kubernetes manifests, Docker Compose files, Helm charts, and other configuration formats.

Key Features

Real-time bidirectional conversion between JSON and YAML with 300ms debounce
Auto-detection of input format — paste JSON or YAML and the mode switches automatically
Customizable indentation: 2 or 4 spaces for YAML, 2 spaces / 4 spaces / minified for JSON
Drag-and-drop file support for .json, .yaml, and .yml files
Swap button to quickly move converted output back to input for round-trip editing
URL sharing — the current input and settings are encoded in the URL for easy sharing
Detailed error messages with line and column numbers for YAML parse errors

How to Use

Paste your JSON or YAML into the input area. The tool automatically detects the format and converts it. Use the direction toggle to switch between JSON→YAML and YAML→JSON modes. Adjust indentation with the dropdown selectors. Click "Sample" to load a Kubernetes Deployment example, or drag-and-drop a file directly onto the input area.

Common Use Cases

Converting Kubernetes YAML manifests to JSON for API calls (kubectl apply -f)
Transforming Docker Compose YAML files to JSON for programmatic manipulation
Converting JSON API responses to readable YAML for documentation
Reformatting Helm values files between YAML and JSON
Validating YAML syntax by converting to JSON and back
Minifying JSON configuration for environment variables or CI/CD pipelines

Privacy & Security

All conversion happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data is sent to any server. This makes it safe to convert configuration files that may contain secrets, database URLs, API keys, or other sensitive information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between JSON and YAML?: JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) uses braces, brackets, and quotes for structure, making it strict and machine-friendly. YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) uses indentation and minimal syntax, making it more human-readable. YAML is a superset of JSON — every valid JSON document is also valid YAML.
Can I convert multi-document YAML?: Currently, this tool converts single-document YAML. If your YAML contains multiple documents separated by ---, only the first document will be converted. Split your multi-document YAML into individual documents for conversion.
Is my data sent to any server?: No. All conversion happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your data never leaves your device.
Does the converter preserve comments?: YAML supports comments but JSON does not. When converting YAML to JSON, comments are lost because JSON has no comment syntax. When converting JSON to YAML, the output will not contain comments.