YAML to JSON Converter - Free Online Tool

Last updated: • Instant conversion

Convert YAML to JSON instantly with our free online converter. Paste your YAML, click convert, and get valid JSON output. No signup required. All processing happens in your browser—your data never leaves your device. This YAML to JSON converter handles complex nested structures, arrays, and all YAML 1.2 features. See our YAML vs JSON comparison to understand the differences.

Ready to convert YAML to JSON?

Use our main converter tool for instant YAML ↔ JSON conversion.

Open Converter Tool →

How to Convert YAML to JSON Online

Converting YAML to JSON online takes just a few seconds:

Open the converter: Go to our main converter page
Click "YAML → JSON": Select the YAML to JSON direction
Paste your YAML: Enter your YAML content in the left panel
Click Convert: Get instant JSON output in the right panel
Copy or download: Use the copy button or download as .json file

Security: Your data stays private. All conversion happens in your browser using JavaScript—nothing is sent to any server.

YAML to JSON Example

See how YAML transforms to JSON:

Input (YAML):

# Server configuration
server:
  host: localhost
  port: 3000
  ssl: true

database:
  driver: postgres
  connection:
    host: db.example.com
    port: 5432
    name: myapp

features:
  - authentication
  - logging
  - caching

Output (JSON):

{
  "server": {
    "host": "localhost",
    "port": 3000,
    "ssl": true
  },
  "database": {
    "driver": "postgres",
    "connection": {
      "host": "db.example.com",
      "port": 5432,
      "name": "myapp"
    }
  },
  "features": [
    "authentication",
    "logging",
    "caching"
  ]
}

Note: YAML comments (lines starting with #) are removed during conversion since JSON doesn't support comments. See our YAML vs JSON comparison for more differences.

Other Ways to Convert YAML to JSON

Besides our online tool, you can convert YAML to JSON using:

Command Line (yq)

# Install yq
brew install yq  # macOS
sudo apt install yq  # Ubuntu

# Convert YAML to JSON
yq -o json config.yaml > config.json

Python

import yaml
import json

with open('config.yaml') as f:
    data = yaml.safe_load(f)

with open('config.json', 'w') as f:
    json.dump(data, f, indent=2)

JavaScript/Node.js

const yaml = require('js-yaml');
const fs = require('fs');

const data = yaml.load(fs.readFileSync('config.yaml', 'utf8'));
fs.writeFileSync('config.json', JSON.stringify(data, null, 2));

For detailed guides, see our Python, JavaScript, or CLI tutorials.

When to Use YAML vs JSON

Use Case	Recommended	Why
Config files	YAML	Comments, readability
API responses	JSON	Native JS, faster parsing
Docker/K8s	YAML	Industry standard
package.json	JSON	npm requirement
Data exchange	JSON	Universal support

Learn more in our YAML vs JSON comparison.

Converter Features

Instant conversion: Real-time YAML to JSON transformation
Client-side processing: Your data never leaves your browser
YAML 1.2 support: Handles all modern YAML features
Error detection: Clear error messages for invalid YAML
Copy to clipboard: One-click copy of JSON output
Download as file: Save JSON directly to your computer
Bidirectional: Also converts JSON to YAML
Mobile friendly: Works on phones and tablets

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert YAML to JSON?

Use our free online YAML to JSON converter. Paste your YAML content, click Convert, and get JSON instantly. You can also use command-line tools like yq or programming languages like Python, JavaScript, or Go.

Is YAML to JSON conversion lossless?

Yes, YAML to JSON conversion is lossless for data. However, YAML comments are lost since JSON doesn't support comments. The data structure and values are preserved exactly.

What is the difference between YAML and JSON?

YAML uses indentation for structure and supports comments, making it more human-readable. JSON uses braces and brackets, is faster to parse, and is native to JavaScript. Both represent the same data structures.

Is this YAML to JSON converter free?

Yes, our YAML to JSON converter is completely free with no signup required. All processing happens in your browser—your data never leaves your device.

Ready to convert?

Use our free converter tool for instant YAML ↔ JSON conversion.