YAML to JSON Converter

Tool Overview

This tool converts YAML text into JSON. You paste YAML or upload a YAML or YML file. The tool parses the YAML and turns it into JSON with two-space indentation. You can copy the JSON or download it as a file. When the conversion succeeds the tool can show a short structure analysis: a list of keys and types (for example object, array, string) so you can see what was in the YAML. So you go from YAML to JSON in one step.

YAML is common for config files and manifests. JSON is common for APIs and apps. You may have data in YAML and need it in JSON. Doing it by hand is slow and easy to get wrong. This tool parses the YAML with a standard library and then stringifies the result as JSON. It checks the input size and the output size so the browser does not freeze. So you get valid JSON that matches your YAML structure.

The tool is for developers and anyone who works with YAML and JSON. You do not need to be an expert. You provide the YAML and read or copy the JSON. An optional AI Analysis button sends a sample of your YAML to a remote service and may return a summary, a complexity label, and suggestions; that feature can fail and the main conversion does not depend on it.

Background & Concept Explanation

YAML uses indentation and colons. Keys and values often have no quotes. JSON uses braces and brackets and quotes. Both can represent the same data: objects, arrays, strings, numbers, booleans, and null. Converting YAML to JSON means parsing the YAML into a structure (objects and arrays) and then writing that structure as JSON text. The tool uses a standard YAML library to parse and then JSON.stringify with two-space indentation. So the same data is shown in JSON syntax. A related operation involves converting JSON to YAML as part of a similar workflow.

YAML can have comments. JSON cannot. When you convert YAML to JSON the comments are dropped. Only the data is kept. So if you need comments you must keep the YAML or add them as string values in JSON.

The tool parses your input with the YAML library. If the input is not valid YAML you see an error (for example Invalid YAML format) and optionally a line number. The tool also checks input size (max 5 MB) and output size (max 10 MB). If the parsed result is null or undefined you see an error. So only valid, reasonably sized YAML is converted.

People struggle when they convert by hand. They miss indentation or colons in YAML. They get the JSON brackets wrong. This tool does the conversion in the browser and shows the result. You can read the structure analysis to see what keys and types were found. So you can check the result and copy the JSON you need. For adjacent tasks, converting JSON to XML addresses a complementary step.

Key Features

• You provide YAML in two ways. You can paste text into a text area (placeholder: Paste YAML here... with an example). Or you can click Upload and choose a .yaml or .yml file. The tool accepts files up to 10 MB. The content (pasted or from file) must be 5 MB or smaller. A clear button removes the input and the output. So you can use small or medium-sized YAML.
• The tool converts as you type or after you upload. It uses a short delay (debounce) so it does not convert on every keystroke. If the YAML is invalid you see an error in the output area (for example Invalid YAML format) and optionally a line number. If the input is too large you see Input too large. Maximum 5MB allowed. If the output JSON would be too large (over 10 MB) you see Output JSON is too large. Please reduce input size. So you know when to fix the input.
• When the conversion succeeds the tool shows the JSON in the output panel. The JSON is formatted with two-space indentation. A Copy button copies the JSON to the clipboard. A Download button saves it as a file named converted_data plus a timestamp and .json. So you can use the result in another app or API.
• When the conversion succeeds the tool can show a Structure Analysis panel. The panel lists up to 50 items: each item has a type (for example object, array, string), a key or path, and a short description (for example Object with 3 properties or Array with 5 items). You can collapse or expand this panel. So you can see what was in the YAML without reading the full JSON.
• The tool detects circular references in the parsed structure and adds them to the structure analysis so you know they were found. The conversion still produces JSON (the library may throw or handle them; the code limits traversal depth). So you are aware of cycles in the data.
• An optional AI Analysis button appears when you have input. When you click it the tool sends the first 2000 characters of your YAML (or the full input if shorter) to a remote service. The service may return a summary, a complexity label (Low, Medium, or High), and a list of suggestions. These are shown in a bottom drawer titled AI Analysis. If the request fails you see an error and the drawer may show No analysis available. The main conversion does not depend on this. So you can try to get extra analysis when the service is available.

Common Use Cases

You have a YAML config file and need it in JSON for an API or app. You paste the YAML or upload the file. The tool shows the JSON. You click Copy and paste it into your request or config. So you get JSON without retyping.

You have a Kubernetes or Docker Compose YAML file. You upload it. The tool converts it to JSON. You use the JSON in a script or another tool that expects JSON. You click Download to save the file. So you get a file you can use elsewhere.

You want to see what structure the YAML has. After the conversion you open the Structure Analysis panel. You read the list of keys and types (object, array, string, etc.). So you can check the shape of the data without scanning the full JSON. When working with related formats, converting XML to JSON can be a useful part of the process.

You want a short summary and suggestions. You click AI Analysis. If the service responds you see a summary, a complexity label, and suggestions in the drawer. You read them or close the drawer. If you see an error you still have the JSON and can copy or download it.

The tool says Invalid YAML format. You check the YAML for indentation, colons, and quotes. You fix the input and the tool converts again. If a line number is shown you can go to that line. The tool says Input too large. You reduce the YAML to under 5 MB or use a smaller file.

How to Use This Tool

1. Open the YAML to JSON Converter in your browser.
2. Provide your YAML. Paste text into the YAML input area or click Upload and choose a .yaml or .yml file (up to 10 MB). The content must be 5 MB or smaller. The YAML must be valid (correct indentation and syntax).
3. Wait for the tool to convert. It parses the YAML and builds the JSON. If you see an error in the output area fix the YAML (check indentation, colons, quotes) or reduce the size. When the conversion succeeds you see the JSON in the output panel.
4. Click Copy to copy the JSON to the clipboard or Download to save it as a file (converted_data-TIMESTAMP.json). Use the Structure Analysis panel (if shown) to see keys and types; click the panel header to collapse or expand it.
5. If you see Input too large reduce the content to under 5 MB. If you see Output JSON is too large reduce the YAML so the resulting JSON is under 10 MB.
6. Optionally click AI Analysis to request a summary, complexity, and suggestions. If the service responds the text appears in the AI Analysis drawer. You can close the drawer with the close button. If you see an error the main conversion is still correct.

Calculations & Logic

The tool reads your input as text. It trims and, if non-empty, parses it with a YAML library (yaml.load with default schema). If parsing throws an error the tool extracts the message (from reason or message) and optionally the line number (from the parser mark or a line number in the message). It returns that error and no JSON. If parsing succeeds the result may be null or undefined; in that case the tool returns an error and no JSON. Otherwise the tool runs JSON.stringify(parsed, null, 2) to get formatted JSON. If that string is over 10 MB the tool returns an error and no JSON. So only valid, reasonably sized YAML is converted and the output is limited in size. In some workflows, converting JSON to CSV is a relevant follow-up operation.

The structure analysis is built by traversing the parsed object. For each value it records type (object, array, string, number, etc.), key or path, and a short description (for example Object with N properties or Array with N items). The traversal stops after 50 levels and limits the list to 50 items. Circular references are detected (visited set) and added to the list. So you get a compact summary of the structure without loading the full JSON text.

YAML comments are not represented in JSON. The parser drops them. Only the data structure and values are kept. So the output JSON has no comments.

Reference Tables or Scales

Accepted file types: .yaml, .yml. The JSON output uses two-space indentation. Copy copies the full JSON text. Download saves a file named converted_data-TIMESTAMP.json. YAML comments are not preserved in JSON. For related processing needs, converting CSV to JSON handles a complementary task.

Tips, Limitations & Best Practices

Ensure your YAML is valid before relying on the output. Check indentation (spaces, not tabs in most parsers) and colons. Use a YAML validator if the tool says Invalid YAML format and you cannot spot the error. The tool does not fix invalid YAML.

Keep the input under 5 MB and the output under 10 MB. Very large input or output triggers an error. Simplify or split the data if you hit these limits.

YAML comments are dropped in JSON. If you need to keep notes add them as string values in the YAML (for example a key like _comment) or keep the YAML file for reference.

Structure Analysis is a summary only. It lists up to 50 items and may not show every key in a very large document. Use it to get an overview; use the JSON output for the full data.

AI Analysis is optional and can fail. You may see Failed to get AI insight or No analysis available. The main conversion and copy/download always work when the YAML is valid. Do not rely on AI Analysis for critical steps. The tool sends only the first 2000 characters to the service so very long YAML is summarized for analysis.

Use Copy to paste the JSON into an API or config. Use Download to save the file. Clear resets input and output so you can paste or upload new YAML.