JSON ↔ YAML Converter
Convert JSON to YAML and YAML to JSON live. Two-pane editor, instant output, browser-only. Built for Kubernetes, GitHub Actions, and config files.
name: WRRK Tools active: true credits: 1000 tags: - dev - free owner: email: alex@wrrk.ai role: founder
About this tool
YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) is the configuration format of choice for Kubernetes manifests, Docker Compose files, GitHub Actions workflows, Ansible playbooks, and most modern dev-ops tooling. JSON is its more rigid cousin — universal in APIs and JavaScript, but verbose for configs. Engineers convert between the two constantly: pasting an API response into a Helm values file, or grabbing YAML from a workflow and inspecting it as JSON in a script.
WRRK's converter handles the everyday subset of YAML: mappings, sequences, nested structures, scalars (string, number, boolean, null), inline flow syntax, and quoted strings. JSON → YAML conservatively quotes any string with YAML-special characters (colons, hashes, leading dashes) so output round-trips cleanly. Everything runs locally in your browser — your configs (which often contain secrets, kubeconfigs, or internal hostnames) never touch a server. For complex YAML with anchors, merge keys, or multi-document streams, use a full library like js-yaml.
How to convert (5 steps)
- Pick a direction. Click 'JSON → YAML' or 'YAML → JSON' to set the conversion direction.
- Paste your input. Drop JSON or YAML into the left input panel.
- Read the live output. Conversion happens as you type — no save button.
- Fix errors if any. Invalid input shows a red error in the output panel with the parser's message.
- Copy or download. Click 'Copy' for clipboard or 'Download' to save as a file with the right extension.
Use cases
- Converting Kubernetes manifests between JSON and YAML
- Inspecting GitHub Actions workflow YAML as JSON
- Reformatting Docker Compose files
- Pasting API responses into Helm values.yaml templates
- Converting Ansible playbook snippets between formats
- Quickly validating YAML by round-tripping through JSON
- Writing OpenAPI / Swagger specs in either format
Frequently asked questions
+−How do I convert JSON to YAML online?
Paste your JSON on the left, see YAML output instantly on the right. Click 'YAML → JSON' to flip direction. Free, no signup, runs entirely in your browser.
+−What's the difference between JSON and YAML?
JSON uses braces, brackets, and quoted keys — strict and machine-friendly. YAML uses indentation and is human-friendlier for config files. Most tools (Kubernetes, GitHub Actions, Docker Compose) accept both, but prefer YAML for readability.
+−Does it support Kubernetes / GitHub Actions / Docker Compose YAML?
Yes — those are all standard YAML mappings and sequences, which our parser handles. For complex YAML with anchors (&) or merge keys (<<:), you may need a full library like js-yaml.
+−Why does my YAML have quotes around some strings?
When a string contains characters that have special meaning in YAML (colon, hash, dash, leading whitespace, or starts/ends with whitespace), the converter quotes it to keep the value unambiguous. Plain strings stay unquoted.
+−Is my YAML uploaded anywhere?
No. Conversion runs in your browser — your config never leaves your device. Safe for converting kubeconfig files, secrets manifests, or anything sensitive.
+−What YAML features are supported?
Mappings, sequences, scalars (string, number, boolean, null), nested structures, inline flow ({a: 1}, [1, 2]), and quoted strings. Anchors, aliases, multi-document streams, and tags are not supported.
+−Can I download the output?
Yes. Click 'Copy' to put the result in your clipboard, or 'Download' to save it as a .yaml or .json file.