Tool Overview

This tool turns XML into JSON. You paste or upload XML and get valid JSON back.

Many systems use XML. Modern apps and APIs often use JSON. Moving data from XML to JSON by hand is slow and easy to get wrong. This tool does the conversion for you so you get correct JSON without writing code.

It is for developers, testers, and anyone who needs to feed XML into JSON-based APIs or apps. You can use it with basic knowledge of XML and JSON.

Background and Concepts

XML uses tags and attributes. JSON uses braces and brackets. Both can represent the same data in different shapes. A related operation involves converting JSON to XML as part of a similar workflow.

XML is common in enterprise systems, configs, and document formats. JSON is common in web APIs and modern apps. When one system sends XML and another expects JSON, you need a conversion step.

Converting by hand is tedious. You must decide how to map elements and attributes, how to represent repeated elements as arrays, and how to handle mixed content. This tool applies clear rules: you choose a conversion preset; the tool parses the XML and builds JSON with the right structure.

Key Features

• Paste or upload. You can paste XML into the input box or upload a .xml file. The tool converts as you type (after a short delay). Uploaded files are limited by size so the page stays responsive.
• Conversion presets. You choose how the XML is turned into JSON. API-Friendly: simple structure, arrays for repeated elements, attributes as normal keys, element text as "value". Compact: no attributes, minimal output, element text as "value". Preserve XML: attributes with an "@" prefix, element text as "#text", keeps structure close to the XML. Attribute-First: attributes as top-level keys next to child nodes, element text as "text" when present with attributes. Each preset fits a different use.
• Attribute handling. XML attributes become JSON properties. In Preserve XML they use an "@" prefix (e.g. @id). In API-Friendly and Attribute-First they use the attribute name as the key. In Compact they are omitted.
• Array detection. When several sibling elements have the same name, they become a JSON array. So repeated tags are converted correctly without extra steps.
• Element names. The parser keeps element names as in the XML. If the XML uses namespace prefixes (e.g. ns:item), the prefix stays in the JSON key. So namespace information is preserved in the key names.
• Validation. The tool parses XML with a standard parser. Invalid XML produces an error message so you can fix the source.
• Copy and download. You can copy the JSON to the clipboard or download it as a file. The file name includes a timestamp.
• Optional AI enhancer. After conversion you can request TypeScript types or optimization suggestions for the JSON. This is optional and not required for conversion.

Common Use Cases

API integration. A service returns XML but your app expects JSON. Paste the XML, pick a preset, and use the generated JSON in your code or requests. For adjacent tasks, converting CSV to XML addresses a complementary step.

Data processing. Moving data from XML configs or feeds into JSON-based pipelines or databases. Convert once or repeatedly as data changes.

Testing. Creating JSON payloads from sample XML for tests, mocks, or documentation.

Legacy and modern systems. Bridging old XML systems and new JSON APIs. Convert responses or exports so they can be consumed as JSON. When working with related formats, converting JSON to YAML can be a useful part of the process.

Learning. Seeing how the same structure looks in XML vs JSON helps understand both formats.

How to Use This Tool (Step-by-Step)

1. Open the XML to JSON converter page.
2. Paste your XML into the input area or use the upload button to choose a .xml file. The file must be within the allowed size.
3. Open settings if you want to change the preset. Choose API-Friendly, Compact, Preserve XML, or Attribute-First. Each changes how attributes and text are written in the JSON.
4. Wait a moment. The tool converts automatically after you type or change the preset. The JSON appears in the output area.
5. If you see an error, check that the input is valid XML. Fix missing tags, quotes, or encoding and try again.
6. Use copy to put the JSON in the clipboard or download to save it as a file. Use clear to remove input and output and start over.
7. Optionally, use the AI enhancer to get TypeScript types or optimization suggestions for the converted JSON. This works only when conversion succeeded.

Calculations and Logic

The tool does not do numeric calculations. It transforms structure and text.

The input string is parsed as XML with a standard parser. If the parser reports an error or there is no root element, you get an error. The root element becomes the top-level key in the JSON object; its children are processed recursively. For each element, attributes are added to the object according to the preset (with or without "@", or skipped). Child elements are processed in order; if more than one child has the same name, they are collected into an array. Text inside an element is stored under a key: "#text" for Preserve XML, "value" for API-Friendly and Compact, "text" for Attribute-First when the element also has attributes. Empty or whitespace-only text is trimmed. The result is formatted as pretty-printed JSON (indented). Input and output length are limited; if limits are exceeded, you get an error and are asked to reduce input size. In some workflows, converting YAML to JSON is a relevant follow-up operation.

Tips, Limitations and Best Practices

Valid XML. The input must be well-formed XML. Check tags, quotes, and entities. Use an XML validator if you are unsure.

Preset choice. Use API-Friendly for most APIs and apps. Use Preserve XML when you need to keep attribute names and structure close to the XML. Use Compact when you only need content and no attributes. Use Attribute-First when you want attributes as top-level keys next to children.

Namespaces. Namespace prefixes in element names are kept in the JSON keys. The tool does not resolve or change namespace URIs; it only keeps the names as parsed. For related processing needs, converting JSON to CSV handles a complementary task.

Size limits. Input and output have maximum sizes. Very large XML or JSON may be rejected. Split data or process in chunks if needed.

Comments and processing instructions. The converter focuses on elements, attributes, and text. Other XML nodes may not appear in the JSON. Do not rely on comments or processing instructions being preserved.

Privacy. Do not paste sensitive or secret data if you use the AI enhancer; that data may be sent for analysis.