About this conversion
Convert YAML to JSON to feed config data into APIs, JavaScript apps, or any tool that doesn't speak YAML natively. YAML is the human-friendly choice for editing configs (Kubernetes, GitHub Actions, Docker Compose); JSON is the machine-friendly choice for transport and runtime.
When this conversion is useful
- Embedding YAML config in a JavaScript app at build time
- Validating YAML against a JSON schema
- Producing JSON request bodies from YAML-defined test fixtures
- Interoperating with tools that only accept JSON inputs
Quality and tradeoffs
YAML 1.2 features convert cleanly: scalars, sequences, and mappings map directly to JSON values, arrays, and objects. YAML-only features like anchors, references, and tags are resolved during conversion — the JSON output is fully expanded.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to YAML anchors and references?
They're resolved into the expanded JSON. The output won't contain `&anchor` or `*ref` markers — every referenced node is duplicated inline.
Why does my date or timestamp look wrong?
JSON has no native date type. YAML dates become strings in ISO 8601 format. If you need timestamps, parse them in your application code.
Are comments preserved?
No — JSON doesn't support comments, so YAML comments are dropped. If preserving comments matters, keep the YAML source as the master and generate JSON from it as a build step.