Free, Fast & Open Source

JSON to YAML
Converter

Convert JSON to YAML in seconds. Free, fast, and works with OpenAPI, Swagger, CloudFormation, Kubernetes, and more. No installation required.

JSON
YAML

How to Convert JSON to YAML

Converting JSON to YAML is straightforward with our free online converter. The conversion happens in real-time as you type.

01

Paste Your JSON

Copy your JSON data and paste it into the left input panel. You can also drag & drop a .json file.

02

View YAML Output

The YAML output appears automatically in the right panel as you type, so you can see your YAML immediately.

03

Copy or Download

Click 'Copy' to copy the YAML to clipboard, or 'Download' to save as a .yaml file ready to use.

Our JSON to YAML converter preserves all your data structures accurately. Nested objects become indented YAML blocks. Arrays transform into YAML lists with proper dash notation. Strings, numbers, booleans, and null values all convert correctly to their YAML equivalents. The tool works entirely in your browser — your JSON data never leaves your computer.

What Is JSON to YAML Conversion?

JSON and YAML are both data serialization formats that store information in a structured way. JSON uses braces, brackets, and quotation marks to define structure. YAML uses indentation and whitespace instead, creating a cleaner, more readable format.

Developers convert JSON to YAML when they need configuration files that are easier to read and edit manually. DevOps tools like Kubernetes, Docker Compose, Ansible, and GitHub Actions all use YAML as their primary configuration format. Converting existing JSON configurations to YAML makes them compatible with these tools.

YAML also supports features that JSON lacks. You can add comments to document your configuration choices. Multi-line strings are easier to write. Anchor and alias features let you reuse repeated values. These advantages make YAML the preferred choice for human-edited configuration files.

Why Convert JSON to YAML?

Key benefits of using YAML format

Better Readability for Configuration Files

YAML's indentation-based structure makes nested data easier to scan visually. Configuration files with multiple levels of nesting become clearer when formatted as YAML. Team members can review and understand YAML configs faster than equivalent JSON.

Comment Support for Documentation

JSON does not support comments. YAML allows inline and block comments using the hash symbol (#). This means you can document why specific configuration values exist, what each section controls, and warn about values that should not change.

DevOps Tool Compatibility

Most modern DevOps and infrastructure tools expect YAML input: Kubernetes manifests, Docker Compose service definitions, Ansible playbooks, GitHub Actions workflows, GitLab CI/CD pipelines, Terraform configs, and Helm charts.

Cleaner Syntax for Manual Editing

When humans need to write or edit configuration by hand, YAML's syntax reduces errors. No matching braces to track. No commas to forget at the end of lines. No quotation marks around every key.

JSON to YAML Converter Features

Built with developers in mind

Instant Real-Time Conversion

Results appear as you type. No submit buttons, no page reloads, no waiting.

Syntax Validation

Validates your JSON before conversion with clear error messages.

Configurable Formatting

Choose between 2-space or 4-space indentation to match your style guide.

One-Click Copy & Download

Copy to clipboard or download as a .yaml file with a single click.

Complete Privacy

All conversion happens locally in your browser. Nothing is logged or stored.

No Account Required

Use immediately without signing up. No usage limits, no premium tiers.

Supported Use Cases

Perfect for DevOps and development workflows

OpenAPI & Swagger Specs

Convert OpenAPI 3.0 or Swagger 2.0 API definitions from JSON to YAML. The converter handles the complete specification structure including paths, schemas, and security definitions.

AWS CloudFormation

Transform CloudFormation templates from JSON to YAML for better readability. AWS supports both formats, but YAML templates are significantly easier to write and review.

Kubernetes Manifests

Create Kubernetes deployment files, services, and config maps in YAML format. Convert JSON configurations from API responses or existing tools to standard YAML.

Docker Compose Files

Generate docker-compose.yml files from JSON service definitions. The converter creates properly structured YAML that Docker Compose can parse and execute.

Ansible Playbooks

Prepare Ansible playbooks, roles, and inventory files in YAML format. Convert JSON data from APIs or scripts into YAML that Ansible can process.

GitHub Actions Workflows

Create workflow configuration files for GitHub Actions. Convert JSON workflow definitions to the YAML format that GitHub requires in .github/workflows.

JSON vs YAML Comparison

Understanding the differences helps you choose the right format

FeatureJSONYAML
StructureBraces and bracketsIndentation
StringsAlways quotedQuotes optional
CommentsNot supportedHash symbol (#)
Multi-lineEscaped charactersBlock scalars
Data TypesString, number, boolean, null, array, objectSame plus dates, timestamps
File SizeUsually largerUsually smaller

When to Use JSON

JSON works best for data interchange between systems. APIs typically accept and return JSON. JavaScript applications parse JSON natively. Data storage systems often use JSON format. When machines primarily read the data, JSON's strict format prevents ambiguity.

When to Use YAML

YAML excels when humans need to read and edit the data. Configuration files benefit from YAML's readability. Documentation alongside data becomes possible with comments. Complex nested structures are easier to understand visually.

How the Converter Works

The JSON to YAML converter uses the js-yaml library to parse and transform your data. When you paste JSON into the input field, the tool first validates the JSON syntax using the native JSON.parse function. If the JSON is valid, it passes the parsed data object to the yaml.dump function.

The yaml.dump function recursively processes the data structure. Objects become YAML mappings with proper indentation. Arrays become sequences with dash prefixes. Primitive values convert to their YAML string representations. The output uses block style formatting for maximum readability.

Because all processing happens in JavaScript within your browser, the conversion is nearly instantaneous. Even complex JSON with deep nesting and large arrays converts in milliseconds.

Tips for Clean YAML Output

Format Your JSON First

Well-formatted JSON input leads to cleaner YAML output. While the converter handles minified JSON correctly, starting with formatted JSON makes it easier to verify the conversion.

Use Consistent Naming Conventions

YAML keys don't require quotation marks when they contain only alphanumeric characters, hyphens, and underscores. Using these characters in your JSON keys produces cleaner YAML.

Keep Nesting Reasonable

Deeply nested structures are harder to read in any format. If your JSON has more than 4-5 levels of nesting, consider restructuring before conversion.

Verify Special Characters

Some characters in JSON strings may need special handling in YAML. The converter handles most cases automatically, but review strings containing colons, at signs, or ampersands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? We have answers

What is the difference between JSON and YAML?
JSON uses braces, brackets, and quotation marks to define data structure. YAML uses indentation and whitespace instead. YAML is more human-readable and supports comments, making it preferred for configuration files. JSON is stricter and better for data interchange between applications.
Is this JSON to YAML converter free?
Yes, completely free with no usage limits. No signup required. No premium features locked behind paywalls. Use it as often as you need.
Can I convert YAML back to JSON?
Yes. Use our YAML to JSON converter for reverse conversion. Both tools work instantly in your browser with the same privacy guarantees.
Does the converter preserve data types?
Yes. Strings remain strings. Numbers stay as numbers. Booleans convert to YAML's true/false format. Null values become YAML null. Nested objects and arrays preserve their complete structure.
Can I use this for OpenAPI or Swagger files?
Absolutely. The converter handles complete OpenAPI 3.0 and Swagger 2.0 specifications. All paths, schemas, security definitions, and metadata convert correctly.
Is my data secure when using this converter?
Yes. All conversion happens locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your JSON data never transmits to any server. Nothing is stored or logged anywhere.
What if my JSON has errors?
The converter validates your JSON before conversion. You'll see a clear error message identifying the problem, such as missing commas, unmatched brackets, or invalid characters.
Can I convert large JSON files?
Yes. The converter runs in your browser, so it can handle files as large as your browser's memory allows. For extremely large files exceeding several megabytes, consider using command-line tools like yq or jq.
Does the output preserve key order?
Yes. The converter maintains the same key order from your original JSON. Keys appear in the YAML output in the same sequence you provided them.
What indentation does the YAML output use?
The default output uses 2-space indentation, which is the most common YAML style. You can change this to 4 spaces if your project requires it.

Related Tools and Guides

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