YAML Input
JSON Output
Frequently asked questions
What is YAML?
YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) is a human-friendly data format commonly used for configuration files. It uses indentation instead of brackets and quotes, making it easier to read and write than JSON for config-heavy files like Docker Compose, GitHub Actions, and Kubernetes manifests.
When should I use YAML vs JSON?
Use YAML for configuration files where humans write and read the data — it supports comments and is less noisy. Use JSON for APIs and data exchange where machines read the data — it has wider language support and stricter parsing rules.
Can all JSON be converted to YAML?
Yes. JSON is actually a subset of YAML, so any valid JSON can be represented as YAML. The reverse is also mostly true, though YAML supports features (like comments and multi-line strings) that have no JSON equivalent and are lost on conversion.
Why convert YAML to JSON?
Many APIs, tools, and libraries only accept JSON. Converting a YAML config to JSON lets you use it with JSON-only tools, validate it in a JSON schema validator, or send it in an HTTP request body.
How do I convert a Kubernetes or Docker Compose file to JSON?
Paste the entire YAML file into the left panel and click Convert. The tool handles multi-key YAML documents including Kubernetes manifests and Docker Compose files. The resulting JSON can be used with kubectl, JSON schema validators, or any JSON-only tooling.
Does YAML support comments?
Yes — YAML supports comments starting with #. This is one of its main advantages over JSON, which has no comment syntax. However, comments are lost when converting YAML to JSON because JSON has no way to represent them.
Why is my YAML showing an error?
The most common YAML mistakes are: inconsistent indentation (mixing tabs and spaces — YAML requires spaces only), missing space after a colon (key:value must be key: value), and incorrect quoting of strings that contain special characters like : or #. The error message shown below the editor points to the exact line.