YAML to JSON Converter
Easily switch between YAML and JSON format. Validates indentation, nested objects, arrays, and syntax errors for Kubernetes and Docker configurations.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Paste or Upload YAML Code
Paste YAML configuration code (Docker Compose, Kubernetes manifests, CI/CD pipelines) or upload a .yaml/.yml file.
Select JSON Indentation
Choose 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or compact minified JSON output formatting.
Validate YAML Syntax
Examine real-time syntax checking with pinpoint error reporting for indentation and scalar type issues.
Copy or Download JSON
Copy valid JSON to clipboard or download the converted .json file.
Key Features & Capabilities
- Complete YAML 1.2 parsing engine supporting complex nested dictionaries, sequences, and multiline string blocks (`|` and `>`)
- Support for multi-document YAML streams separated by `---` (exported as an array of JSON objects)
- Accurate type preservation: booleans, integers, floats, dates, nulls (`~`), and inline JSON structures
- Instant conversion for Kubernetes manifests, Helm charts, GitHub Actions workflows, and Docker Compose files
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key structural differences between YAML and JSON?
JSON uses strict delimiter syntax (`{}`, `[]`, quotes for keys, commas between items). YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) uses clean, indentation-based whitespace without brackets or quotes for simple strings. Every valid JSON document is syntactically valid YAML 1.2, but YAML supports features not found in standard JSON (such as comments, anchors/aliases `&` / `*`, and multiline literal blocks `|`).
How does the converter handle multi-document YAML files separated by '---'?
When a YAML file contains multiple documents separated by the `---` document separator (standard in Kubernetes manifests containing multiple Deployments/Services), the converter parses each document individually and bundles them into a single top-level JSON array of objects (`[doc1, doc2, doc3]`).
How are YAML multiline string indicators (| and >) converted to JSON?
The literal block scalar (`|`) preserves all line breaks inside the string, converting to JSON with embedded newline characters (`\n`). The folded block scalar (`>`) folds consecutive lines into a single long string separated by spaces, converting to clean single-line JSON strings.
How does YAML represent null and boolean values compared to JSON?
In YAML, null can be represented as `null`, `Null`, `NULL`, `~`, or simply an empty field. Booleans can be written as `true`/`false`, `True`/`False`, or `yes`/`no` (in YAML 1.1). Our converter standardizes all variations into strict JSON lowercase `null`, `true`, and `false` literals.
Related Utilities
Discover complementary online tools in the same workflow.
JSON Formatter & Validator
Format, beautify, minify, validate, and view JSON data online with instant syntax highlighting and error detection.
Base64 Encoder & Decoder
Encode text or binary data into Base64 format or decode Base64 back into raw string format.
CSV to JSON Converter
Easily convert CSV data to clean JSON format. Turn tabular spreadsheets into structured JSON.
JWT Parser & Token Debugger
Decode JWT tokens to view header, payload claims, and expiration status without sending secrets anywhere.
Hash Generator (SHA-256, SHA-512, MD5)
Generate cryptographically secure SHA-256, SHA-512, SHA-384, and SHA-1 hashes for any text.
Color Contrast Checker (WCAG)
Check color contrast ratios for WCAG 2.1 AA and AAA accessibility compliance and ADA standards with live UI preview.