YAML ↔ JSON Converter

Convert between YAML and JSON instantly — runs in your browser

YAML vs JSON

YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) and JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) are both human-readable data serialization formats. JSON is a subset of YAML — every valid JSON document is also valid YAML, but not vice versa.

YAML

Indentation-based format with no brackets or quotes for simple strings. More readable for complex configurations. Used in Kubernetes, Docker Compose, GitHub Actions, and Ansible.

JSON

Bracket-based format requiring quotes on all keys and string values. More explicit and strict. Universal format for REST APIs, web storage, and data exchange.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is JSON valid YAML?
Yes. JSON is a strict subset of YAML. A valid JSON document is always valid YAML, because YAML supports JSON flow-style syntax. However, YAML supports features JSON does not (comments, anchors, multi-line strings).
When should I use YAML over JSON?
Use YAML for configuration files that humans will read and edit (Kubernetes, Docker, CI/CD pipelines). Use JSON for API responses, data exchange, and programmatic consumption where comments are unnecessary and strict parsing is preferred.
Does YAML support comments?
Yes. YAML supports line comments with #. JSON does not support comments at all.
What are common YAML errors?
Tabs vs spaces (YAML requires spaces, never tabs), inconsistent indentation, missing colons after keys, unquoted strings containing special characters like : or #, and Windows-style line endings.

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