Convert JSON to YAML (YML) – Free Online Tool

How to Convert JSON to YAML

Switching from web APIs to server configuration? Converting JSON to YAML is a common task for DevOps engineers. Here is how to do it instantly:

• Step 1: Copy your JSON data (e.g., from a config file or API response).
• Step 2: Paste it into the input box above.
• Step 3: Click “Convert to YAML”.
• Step 4: Copy the generated YAML code to use in your `docker-compose.yml` or Kubernetes files.

When to Use This Tool

YAML (YAML Ain’t Markup Language) is the industry standard for configuration. You’ll need this converter when:

• DevOps & Cloud: Converting JSON API definitions into Kubernetes manifests or Docker Compose files.
• Configuration Management: migrating app settings from `.json` files to `.yaml` for better readability.
• CI/CD Pipelines: Writing workflows for GitHub Actions or GitLab CI, which use YAML exclusively.
• Data Serialization: Making data more human-readable for documentation or non-technical team members.
• Home Automation: Configuring Home Assistant or similar IoT platforms that prefer YAML.

Why Use Our JSON to YAML Converter?

While basic converters exist, ours is engineered for the modern developer workflow.

1. Privacy-First & Secure

Configuration files often contain sensitive data like database hosts, API keys, or internal ports. Unlike server-side tools that might log your data, this tool runs 100% in your browser via JavaScript. Your secrets never leave your machine.

2. Strict Syntax Compliance

YAML relies heavily on indentation. A single tab character instead of spaces can break a build. Our engine ensures:

• Consistent Indentation: Uses standard 2-space indentation.
• Proper Quoting: Automatically quotes strings containing special characters (like `:`, `#`, or starting with numbers).
• Clean Arrays: Formats lists using the standard hyphen (`-`) syntax.

3. Zero Dependency (Offline)

Once this page loads, you can disconnect your internet and continue converting files. There are no API calls or latency, making it the perfect tool for coding on the go.

JSON vs. YAML: The Technical Differences

Both formats represent data, but they serve different masters.

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)

JSON is built for machines. It uses curly braces `{}`, brackets `[]`, and strict quoting rules. It is easy for computers to parse but “noisy” for humans to read and write manually.

YAML (YAML Ain’t Markup Language)

YAML is built for humans. It removes the brackets and quotes in favor of whitespace indentation. This makes it cleaner and easier to review in Pull Requests, which is why it is the default for infrastructure-as-code.

The Conversion Challenge

Converting JSON to YAML isn’t just about removing braces. You must handle:

• Type Preservation: Ensuring booleans (`true`) don’t become strings (`”true”`).
• Null Values: Mapping JSON `null` to YAML `null` or `~`.
• Multiline Strings: YAML handles long text blocks gracefully with `|` or `>` operators, whereas JSON requires messy `\n` escape characters.

Explore More JSON Tools

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Frequently Asked Questions