How to Convert YAML to JSON: A Practical Guide
Daniel Hayes
Full-Stack Engineer · Leapcell

Key Takeaways
- YAML can be easily converted to JSON using Python, CLI tools, or online converters.
- JSON is widely used in APIs and web applications, making conversion often necessary.
- Conversion may result in the loss of YAML-specific features like comments and anchors.
YAML (YAML Ain’t Markup Language) and JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) are two widely used data serialization formats. YAML is appreciated for its human-readable syntax, making it ideal for configuration files, while JSON is favored for its compatibility with web applications and APIs. Converting YAML to JSON is often necessary when integrating systems or preparing data for web services.
Why Convert YAML to JSON?
There are several reasons to convert YAML to JSON:
- Compatibility with APIs: Many web APIs and services accept data in JSON format.
- Data Interchange: JSON is a common format for data exchange between systems.
- Tooling Support: Some tools and libraries are designed to work with JSON, necessitating conversion from YAML.
Methods for Converting YAML to JSON
1. Using Python
Python's PyYAML
and json
libraries can be used to convert YAML to JSON.
Steps:
-
Install the
PyYAML
library if not already installed:pip install pyyaml
-
Use the following Python script to perform the conversion:
import yaml import json # Load YAML data with open('input.yaml', 'r') as yaml_file: yaml_data = yaml.safe_load(yaml_file) # Convert YAML to JSON with open('output.json', 'w') as json_file: json.dump(yaml_data, json_file, indent=4)
This script reads data from input.yaml
, converts it to JSON format, and writes the result to output.json
.
2. Using Command-Line Tools
For those who prefer using the command line, tools like yq
can facilitate YAML to JSON conversion.
Using yq
:
-
Install
yq
following the instructions for your operating system. -
Run the following command:
yq eval -o=json input.yaml > output.json
This command reads the YAML file input.yaml
and outputs the JSON result to output.json
.
3. Using Online Converters
Several online tools allow for quick conversion without installing any software. Simply paste your YAML data into the tool, and it will generate the corresponding JSON output.
Examples:
These tools are useful for one-off conversions or when working in environments without command-line access.
Example Conversion
YAML Input:
name: John Doe age: 30 email: johndoe@example.com
JSON Output:
{ "name": "John Doe", "age": 30, "email": "johndoe@example.com" }
Considerations
- Data Integrity: Ensure that the YAML data is correctly formatted to avoid errors during conversion.
- Loss of Features: YAML supports features like comments and anchors, which are not present in JSON. These elements will be lost during conversion.
- Validation: After conversion, validate the JSON data to ensure it meets the required schema or structure.
Conclusion
Converting YAML to JSON is a common task when working with different systems and tools. Whether using programming languages like Python, command-line utilities, or online converters, the process is straightforward. By understanding the methods and considerations involved, you can ensure accurate and efficient data conversion.
FAQs
JSON is more universally supported in APIs and web-based environments.
Yes, online tools and command-line utilities like yq
make it simple.
No, comments and advanced YAML features are discarded during conversion.
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