Convert JSON to XML

Convert JSON into XML format.

Input
Indentation
Converting
Use the XML meta tag in the output.
Output

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What It Does

Transform JSON data into well-formed XML format instantly with this free online JSON to XML converter. Whether you're integrating a modern REST API with a legacy enterprise system, building a SOAP web service client, or preparing data for an XML-based pipeline, this tool handles the conversion accurately and reliably. JSON objects become XML elements, arrays are serialized as repeated sibling elements, and nested structures are preserved with correct hierarchical indentation. You can configure the root element name to match your target schema's requirements, ensuring the output slots directly into your workflow without manual editing. This converter is ideal for developers, data engineers, and system integrators who regularly bridge the gap between modern JSON-based APIs and older XML-dependent platforms. Unlike manual conversion or writing one-off scripts, this tool produces consistently well-formed XML that validates cleanly — saving you debugging time and reducing integration errors. It handles edge cases like numeric keys, boolean values, null fields, and deeply nested objects that often trip up home-grown converters. Whether you're working with configuration files, data exports, enterprise middleware, or document formats, this tool gives you clean, readable XML output in seconds.

How It Works

The Convert JSON to XML applies its selected transformation logic to your input and produces output based on the options you choose.

It applies a fixed set of transformation rules to your input, so the output is stable and easy to verify.

All processing happens in your browser, so your input stays on your device during the transformation.

Common Use Cases

  • Integrating a modern REST API response with a legacy XML-based enterprise system or ERP platform that cannot consume JSON natively.
  • Creating properly structured XML payloads for SOAP web service requests when the source data originates in JSON format.
  • Converting JSON application configuration files into XML configuration formats required by Java frameworks like Spring or legacy .NET applications.
  • Generating RSS or Atom XML feeds from JSON data sources stored in a CMS or database.
  • Preparing product catalog data in JSON for import into an XML-based e-commerce or inventory management platform.
  • Transforming JSON API responses into XML for use with XSLT stylesheets to produce formatted reports or documents.
  • Debugging and inspecting JSON data structures by viewing them in an alternative, hierarchical XML representation.

How to Use

  1. Paste or type your valid JSON data into the input field on the left — this can be a JSON object, array, or any valid JSON structure.
  2. Set a custom root element name if your target system requires a specific wrapper tag; otherwise the default root element will be used.
  3. Click the Convert button to instantly generate well-formed XML from your JSON input.
  4. Review the XML output in the right-hand panel — each JSON key becomes an XML element, and arrays are expanded into repeated elements with the same tag name.
  5. Use the Copy button to copy the XML to your clipboard, or download it as a .xml file for direct use in your project.
  6. If the output doesn't match your expected schema, adjust your input JSON structure (for example, wrapping arrays in a named key) and re-convert.

Features

  • Produces well-formed, properly indented XML that passes standard XML validation without additional cleanup.
  • Configurable root element name so the output matches your target schema or DTD requirements out of the box.
  • Correctly serializes JSON arrays as sequences of repeated sibling XML elements rather than collapsing them into a single node.
  • Handles nested JSON objects of arbitrary depth, preserving the full hierarchy as nested XML elements.
  • Supports JSON primitive types — strings, numbers, booleans, and nulls — mapping each to appropriate XML text content.
  • One-click copy and download options so you can move converted XML directly into your codebase, API client, or file system.
  • Processes JSON in the browser with no data sent to a server, keeping sensitive configuration or payload data private.

Examples

Below is a representative input and output so you can see the transformation clearly.

Input
{
  "name": "Ada",
  "score": 9
}
Output
<root>
  <name>Ada</name>
  <score>9</score>
</root>

Edge Cases

  • Very large inputs may take a few seconds to process in the browser. If performance slows, split the input into smaller batches.
  • Mixed formatting (tabs, line breaks, or inconsistent delimiters) can affect output. Normalize spacing first if needed.
  • Convert JSON to XML follows the selected options strictly. If the output looks unexpected, re-check option settings and input format.

Troubleshooting

  • Output looks unchanged: confirm the input contains the pattern this tool modifies and that the correct options are selected.
  • Output differs from a previous run: confirm that the input and every option match, because deterministic tools should repeat when the settings are identical.
  • Unexpected characters: check for hidden whitespace or encoding issues in the input and try normalizing first.
  • Slow processing: reduce input size or try a modern browser with more available memory.

Tips

Before converting, make sure your JSON is valid — a syntax error like a missing comma or unquoted key will prevent a clean conversion; use a JSON validator first if you're unsure. If your target XML schema requires attributes rather than child elements, consider restructuring your JSON to use a conventional attribute prefix (like "@") before converting, as some converters support this convention. When working with arrays, give the array a descriptive key in JSON so the repeated XML elements get a meaningful tag name — for example, use {"items": [{"id": 1}, {"id": 2}]} rather than a bare top-level array. Always validate the output XML against your target XSD schema before deploying to production integrations.

JSON and XML are two of the most widely used data interchange formats in software development, but they come from different eras and were designed with different priorities in mind. Understanding their differences — and when you need to convert between them — is essential for any developer working across modern and legacy systems. JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) was introduced in the early 2000s as a lightweight, human-readable format for transmitting structured data, particularly in web applications. It maps naturally to the data structures found in most programming languages — objects, arrays, strings, numbers, and booleans — and its compact syntax makes it efficient to parse and transmit. Today, virtually every REST API and modern web service uses JSON as its primary data format. XML (Extensible Markup Language) predates JSON by several years, having been standardized by the W3C in 1998. XML was designed to be both human-readable and machine-readable, with a strong emphasis on document structure, validation, and extensibility. It supports features JSON does not have natively — such as attributes, namespaces, comments, mixed content (text and elements together), and processing instructions. These features made XML the dominant format for enterprise systems, document standards, and web services throughout the 2000s. Why Convert JSON to XML? Despite JSON's dominance in modern development, XML remains deeply embedded in enterprise environments. SOAP web services, which power countless banking, insurance, healthcare, and government integrations, require XML payloads. Many legacy middleware platforms — including older versions of SAP, Oracle, and IBM WebSphere — consume and produce XML exclusively. Configuration formats like Maven's pom.xml, Ant build scripts, and Android manifest files are all XML-based. RSS and Atom syndication feeds are XML formats still widely used for content distribution. When a new application needs to interface with any of these systems, developers frequently receive data in JSON (from a REST API or database) and need to transform it into XML before sending it downstream. Doing this manually is error-prone; writing a custom conversion script is tedious and often fails on edge cases. A reliable converter handles the structural mapping automatically. How JSON Structures Map to XML The conversion from JSON to XML follows a set of predictable rules. A JSON object {"name": "Alice", "age": 30} becomes a series of child elements: Alice30. A JSON array [{"id": 1}, {"id": 2}] becomes repeated sibling elements with the same tag name. Nested objects produce nested elements, preserving hierarchy. Primitive values become element text content. The one structural element XML has that JSON lacks is the document root — XML requires a single top-level element wrapping everything. This is why configuring the root element name matters; it must match whatever your target schema or DTD expects. JSON to XML vs. XML to JSON Converting in the other direction — XML to JSON — is a different challenge. XML's richer feature set (attributes, namespaces, comments) means information can be lost when going to JSON, since JSON has no native equivalent for XML attributes. Going from JSON to XML is generally lossless for data, provided you handle arrays and primitives correctly. If you need round-trip fidelity, consider using established conventions like the BadgerFish or GData conventions for representing XML attributes in JSON. For most practical integration work, JSON-to-XML conversion is a routine task. Having a fast, accurate tool removes friction from the workflow and lets you focus on the integration logic rather than the data transformation mechanics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is JSON to XML conversion and when do I need it?

JSON to XML conversion is the process of transforming data structured in JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format into equivalent XML (Extensible Markup Language) markup. You need it when a system you're integrating with only accepts XML — for example, SOAP web services, legacy enterprise platforms, or XML-based configuration parsers. It's also useful when you want to use XSLT to transform or render your data, since XSLT operates on XML. Any time you're bridging a modern JSON API with an older XML-dependent system, conversion is necessary.

Does converting JSON to XML lose any data?

For most JSON data, the conversion to XML is lossless — all keys, values, and nested structures are preserved. However, some nuance exists: JSON has a distinction between arrays and objects that XML doesn't natively represent the same way, so array items become repeated elements with the same tag name. JSON null values may be represented as empty elements in XML, and the original type information (number vs. string) is not preserved in XML text nodes. If you need to convert back to JSON later, be aware that some type information may require additional handling.

How are JSON arrays handled in the XML output?

JSON arrays are converted into sequences of repeated sibling XML elements that share the same tag name. For example, a JSON array like {"user": [{"id": 1}, {"id": 2}]} produces two <user> elements inside the parent element. This is the most natural and widely accepted way to represent lists in XML. The key you assign to the array in your JSON becomes the tag name for each repeated element, so choosing a descriptive, singular key name produces clean, readable XML.

What is a root element and why do I need to configure it?

XML requires every document to have exactly one top-level element that wraps all other content — this is called the root element. JSON has no equivalent requirement, so when converting, a root element must be added. Most converters use a default name like 'root' or 'document', but many XML schemas, DTDs, and SOAP envelopes require a specific root element name. Configuring the root element name ensures the output is immediately compatible with your target system without requiring manual editing of the XML after conversion.

Can this tool handle large or deeply nested JSON structures?

Yes, the converter handles arbitrarily deep nested JSON objects by producing correspondingly nested XML elements. Each level of nesting in JSON becomes a child element in XML, preserving the full hierarchy. For large JSON payloads, the conversion runs entirely in your browser, so performance depends on your device rather than server load. Extremely large files (several megabytes) may take a moment to process, but the output will be complete and well-formed.

What is the difference between JSON and XML, and which should I use?

JSON is compact, easy to read, and maps directly to programming language data types, making it the preferred format for REST APIs, web applications, and modern services. XML is more verbose but supports richer features — attributes, namespaces, comments, mixed content, and strong schema validation via XSD — making it better suited for complex document formats and enterprise integrations. In most new greenfield development, JSON is the practical choice. XML is still necessary when working with SOAP services, legacy enterprise systems, document standards (like OOXML or SVG), and many industry-specific data exchange formats.