JSON vs XML vs YAML

All three formats store structured data, but they have different strengths and are suited to different situations.

JSON — Best for APIs

JSON is the default choice for REST APIs and web applications. It maps directly to objects and arrays in every programming language, and browsers parse it natively with JSON.parse().

json

{ "user": { "name": "Ravi", "age": 28 } }

Use JSON when building REST APIs, storing config in JavaScript projects, or sending data between browser and server.

XML — Best for Documents

XML is verbose but extremely flexible. It supports attributes, namespaces, and has powerful query tools like XPath and XSLT. It is the format of choice for SOAP web services, RSS feeds, and document formats like Microsoft Office.

xml

<user>
  <name>Ravi</name>
  <age>28</age>
</user>

Use XML when working with enterprise systems, RSS/Atom feeds, or document-centric data.

YAML — Best for Config

YAML is the most human-readable format. It uses indentation instead of brackets, making it popular for configuration files like Docker Compose, GitHub Actions, and Kubernetes.

yaml

user:
  name: Ravi
  age: 28

Use YAML when writing config files, CI/CD pipelines, or any file that humans edit frequently.

Quick Decision Guide

Use JSON for REST API responses and JavaScript projects. Use YAML for config files and Docker or Kubernetes. Use XML for SOAP services and RSS feeds.

Convert Between Formats with JSONKit

JSONKit lets you convert between all three formats instantly:

JSON to YAML converter — paste JSON, get clean YAML output
JSON to XML converter — configurable root tag, proper escaping
JSON to CSV converter — flattens nested objects automatically

All conversions run in your browser with no file upload required.

JSON vs XML vs YAML — Which Should You Use?