JSON to XML Converter: Transform Your Data Seamlessly
Convert JSON to XML format instantly. Learn the differences between JSON and XML, use cases for API integration, and best practices for data transformation.
February 14, 2026
Why Convert JSON to XML?
JSON and XML are the two most widely used data interchange formats in software development. While JSON has become the dominant format for modern web APIs, XML remains essential in many enterprise systems, SOAP web services, configuration files, and document formats. Our JSON to XML Converter bridges the gap between these two formats with instant, reliable conversions.
Understanding the Differences
JSON: Lightweight and Modern
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data format that uses key-value pairs and arrays. It is natively supported by JavaScript, making it the natural choice for web applications. JSON is compact, easy to read, and fast to parse. A typical JSON object looks like this: {"name": "John", "age": 30}.
XML: Verbose but Powerful
XML (Extensible Markup Language) uses tags to structure data hierarchically. It supports attributes, namespaces, schemas, and more complex data modeling than JSON. An equivalent XML representation looks like: <person><name>John</name><age>30</age></person>. XML's verbosity is a trade-off for its expressiveness and validation capabilities.
Key Differences Between JSON and XML
- Syntax: JSON uses curly braces and brackets, while XML uses opening and closing tags.
- Data Types: JSON natively supports strings, numbers, booleans, null, arrays, and objects. XML treats everything as text unless validated against a schema.
- Attributes: XML supports element attributes, which have no direct equivalent in JSON.
- Size: JSON is typically 30-50% smaller than equivalent XML due to less markup overhead.
- Parsing: JSON parsing is faster in most programming languages because of its simpler structure.
- Namespaces: XML supports namespaces for avoiding element name conflicts, a feature absent in JSON.
Common Use Cases
API Integration
When integrating a modern REST API that returns JSON with a legacy SOAP service that expects XML, you need a reliable conversion step. Our converter handles nested objects, arrays, and complex data structures accurately.
Legacy System Compatibility
Many enterprise systems in banking, healthcare, and government still rely on XML-based protocols. Converting JSON data from modern frontends into XML for these backends is a frequent requirement.
Configuration Files
Some platforms and frameworks expect configuration in XML format. If you have JSON configuration data, converting it to XML enables compatibility with tools like Maven, Ant, or Spring XML configurations.
Data Transformation Pipelines
ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) pipelines often need to convert data between formats. JSON to XML conversion is a common step when feeding data into systems that consume XML.
How to Use the JSON to XML Converter
Paste your JSON data into the input field, and the tool instantly generates the equivalent XML output. The converter handles nested objects by creating nested XML elements, converts arrays into repeated elements, and properly escapes special characters. You can copy the result with a single click.
Best Practices for JSON to XML Conversion
When converting, keep these tips in mind:
- Root Element: XML requires a single root element. If your JSON has multiple top-level keys, they will be wrapped in a root element.
- Array Handling: JSON arrays are typically converted to repeated XML elements with the same tag name.
- Special Characters: Characters like <, >, and & must be properly escaped in XML.
- Data Validation: After conversion, validate your XML against the expected schema if one exists.
Our JSON to XML Converter runs entirely in your browser, ensuring your data never leaves your machine. It is free, fast, and requires no installation.