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JSON to YAML Converter (Free Online Tool)
Convert JSON to YAML for Kubernetes manifests, Docker Compose files, and CI/CD pipelines. Generate human-readable, properly indented YAML with 2-space formatting. Transform API responses to configuration files for cloud-native development. All processing happens client-side.
Paste code in both editors to see differences
Hint: Paste original code on left, modified code on right, then click Compare to see differences highlighted.
Hint: Paste your code, customize font size and line numbers, then click Export PDF to download formatted code.
Hint: Paste your JWT token to decode and view its header, payload, and signature. The tool validates token structure and format.
Hint: Select conversion type, paste your data, and get instant conversion. Supports JSON, YAML, XML, Excel, PDF, and more.
How It Works
- 1
Paste JSON Configuration or Data
Input your JSON from configuration files, Kubernetes resource definitions, API responses, or Docker config exports. The converter handles nested structures and arrays.
- 2
AI Formats to Human-Readable YAML
The AI converts JSON braces to YAML indentation (2 spaces), arrays to list markers (-), removes unnecessary quotes, and uses block scalars (| or >) for multiline strings. Follows YAML 1.2 specification.
- 3
Copy YAML for DevOps Workflows
Receive properly formatted YAML ready for kubectl apply, docker-compose up, GitHub Actions workflows, Ansible playbooks, or Helm charts. Validate with yamllint or kubectl dry-run.
JSON vs YAML: Format Comparison
| Feature | JSON | YAML |
|---|---|---|
| Syntax | Braces {} and brackets [] | Indentation-based (2 spaces) |
| Readability | Compact, machine-friendly | Human-readable, whitespace significant |
| Comments | Not allowed in standard JSON | # comments supported |
| Multiline Strings | Escaped \n characters | | or > block scalars |
| Data Types | Number, String, Boolean, null | Same + timestamps, binary |
| Use Cases | APIs, data exchange | Configuration files, K8s, CI/CD |
Code Examples
Example 1: Simple Configuration to YAML
{
"name": "myapp",
"version": "1.0.0",
"settings": {
"debug": true,
"maxConnections": 100
},
"servers": ["prod1.example.com", "prod2.example.com"]
}name: myapp
version: 1.0.0
settings:
debug: true
maxConnections: 100
servers:
- prod1.example.com
- prod2.example.comKey Changes:
JSON braces and brackets convert to YAML's indentation-based structure using 2 spaces. Nested objects use increased indentation without explicit delimiters. Arrays convert to list items with the - prefix. Quotes are removed from simple strings for readability. Boolean and number values remain unquoted. YAML's minimalist syntax reduces visual clutter compared to JSON's punctuation.
Example 2: Kubernetes Deployment Manifest
{
"apiVersion": "apps/v1",
"kind": "Deployment",
"metadata": {
"name": "nginx-deployment",
"labels": {"app": "nginx"}
},
"spec": {
"replicas": 3,
"selector": {
"matchLabels": {"app": "nginx"}
},
"template": {
"metadata": {"labels": {"app": "nginx"}},
"spec": {
"containers": [{
"name": "nginx",
"image": "nginx:1.14.2",
"ports": [{"containerPort": 80}]
}]
}
}
}
}apiVersion: apps/v1
kind: Deployment
metadata:
name: nginx-deployment
labels:
app: nginx
spec:
replicas: 3
selector:
matchLabels:
app: nginx
template:
metadata:
labels:
app: nginx
spec:
containers:
- name: nginx
image: nginx:1.14.2
ports:
- containerPort: 80Key Changes:
JSON Kubernetes resources convert to standard YAML manifest format used by kubectl. Deeply nested structures maintain consistent indentation. Arrays of objects (like containers array) use - list markers with indented properties. The YAML format is significantly more readable for human editing and code review. This structure is standard across Kubernetes, Helm charts, and GitOps workflows.
Frequently Asked Questions
The converter uses 2-space indentation by default, following Kubernetes and most YAML style guides. Lists use the - prefix with proper alignment. Nested structures maintain consistent indentation depth. Multiline strings use the | (literal) or > (folded) block scalar indicators when appropriate. The output is YAML 1.2 compliant.
No. All JSON to YAML conversion happens entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your configuration files—whether Kubernetes manifests, CI/CD pipelines, or Docker Compose configs—never leave your machine. The tool works offline once loaded.
Yes. The converter handles large JSON files including multi-resource Kubernetes manifests, Helm values files, and complex nested configurations. However, browser memory limits apply for extremely large files (>10MB). For production use, validate the output YAML with kubectl or yamllint to ensure correctness.