XML / YAML / JSON Converter
Convert between XML, YAML, and JSON formats. Auto-detects input format.
Input
Output
Conversion Tips
- Auto-detect: Paste content and the format will be detected automatically. Select direction manually to override.
- XML to JSON: Attributes are mapped with @ prefix (e.g., @id). Text content uses #text when mixed with attributes.
- JSON to XML: Use @ prefix for attributes and #text for text content. Repeated array items become sibling XML elements.
- YAML to JSON: Supports key-value pairs, nested objects, arrays (- prefix), strings, numbers, booleans, null, and multi-line blocks (| and >).
- JSON to YAML: Outputs clean indentation-based YAML with proper type handling.
- Swap: Use the Swap button to use the output as new input for reverse conversion.
YAML Parser Limitations
This tool supports a common subset of YAML. The following features are not supported:
- Anchors (&) and aliases (*)
- Tags (!!str, !!int, etc.)
- Flow sequences [a, b, c] and flow mappings - use block style only
- Complex keys (multi-line or non-string keys)
- Merge keys (<<)
About XML, YAML, and JSON Conversion
XML (eXtensible Markup Language), YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language), and JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) are three fundamental data formats used to represent structured information. XML uses angle-bracket tags and attributes to describe hierarchical data, making it verbose but highly expressive. YAML relies on indentation and colons for readability and is commonly used in configuration files and CI/CD pipelines. JSON uses braces, brackets, and quotes to organize data into objects and arrays, making it the default format for web APIs and JavaScript applications. While each format has different syntax rules, all three can represent the same hierarchical data structures, making conversion between them essential for modern development workflows.
Understanding when to use each format is crucial for developers. YAML excels in configuration files because its whitespace-based syntax is human-readable and reduces clutter. JSON is preferred for APIs and web applications due to its native JavaScript support and compact representation. XML remains the standard for document-based systems and legacy enterprise applications. This tool automatically detects your input format and converts between all three, eliminating the need to manually parse and reformat data.
Common Use Cases
- CI/CD Configuration: Convert YAML CI/CD pipeline configs (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins) to JSON for programmatic processing or API consumption.
- Kubernetes & DevOps: Transform Kubernetes manifests between YAML (human-editable) and JSON (API-compatible) formats for infrastructure as code workflows.
- Data Migration: Migrate data from legacy XML systems to modern JSON APIs by converting XML responses to JSON format.
- Configuration Management: Convert configuration files between formats when integrating systems that expect different formats (YAML configs to JSON for web dashboards).
- API Integration: Transform API responses from one format to another without writing custom parsing code.
How to Use This Tool
- Paste Your Data: Copy and paste your XML, YAML, or JSON data into the input panel on the left side.
- Auto-Detection: The tool automatically detects your input format and suggests the conversion direction. You can manually override this selection using the Direction dropdown.
- Configure Output: Choose your desired indent size (2, 4, or 8 spaces) using the Indent selector to format the output according to your preferences.
- View the Result: The converted output appears instantly in the right panel with proper syntax highlighting and formatting.
- Copy or Use: Click the Copy button to copy the output to your clipboard, or use Swap to reverse the conversion direction.
Features
XML Attribute Handling
Attributes are mapped with an @ prefix (e.g., @id) when converting to JSON or YAML. Text content uses #text when mixed with attributes.
YAML Array Support
Supports YAML arrays with - prefix, nested objects, multi-line blocks (| and >), and proper type inference for strings, numbers, and booleans.
JSON Interoperability
Full bidirectional conversion between JSON and both XML and YAML. Arrays and nested objects preserve structure across all format conversions.
Error Detection
Automatically validates input syntax and displays clear error messages when malformed data is detected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose XML, YAML, or JSON?
Choose based on your use case: XML for document-based systems and legacy enterprise applications, YAML for human-readable configuration files, JSON for APIs and web applications. Each format has strengths; this tool lets you convert between them seamlessly.
How are XML attributes converted?
XML attributes are mapped with an @ prefix in JSON/YAML conversion (e.g., @id, @type). Text content alongside attributes uses the #text key. This is the standard convention for representing XML attributes in JSON/YAML.
Does the tool support complex nested structures?
Yes, the tool handles deeply nested objects and arrays across all three formats. Complex hierarchies are preserved during conversion, maintaining the original structure and relationships.
What happens to comments?
Comments in YAML are preserved during YAML-to-JSON or YAML-to-XML conversion. However, XML and JSON comments are not standardly part of the formats, so they may not be preserved if converted from those formats to YAML.