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SPCXTools

XML to JSON

Convert data between XML and JSON formats instantly, with full control over attributes and data types.

Runs locally — files never leave your device

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How to use XML to JSON

  1. 1Select your desired conversion direction: XML → JSON or JSON → XML.
  2. 2Paste your data into the input box. You can also click Sample to load a working example.
  3. 3Adjust the parsing options. Toggle Attributes, change the attribute Prefix, or enable Types to automatically detect numbers and booleans.
  4. 4The converted output updates instantly. Use Copy to copy the text, or click Download to save it as a file.

A fast, private XML to JSON converter

Converting data between Extensible Markup Language (XML) and JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) is a daily task for developers working with APIs, configuration files, and data migration. This XML to JSON converter provides a seamless, bi-directional way to translate your data structures instantly.

Because the tool runs entirely in your web browser, it is completely private. Whether you are parsing a massive database export, converting proprietary server configurations, or debugging sensitive API responses, your data never leaves your device. There are no server uploads, no artificial size limits, and no waiting for network requests to complete. Everything is processed locally by your machine's CPU, making it incredibly fast and secure.

Bridging the gap between XML and JSON

While both XML and JSON are used to structure data, they approach it differently. JSON relies on a simple structure of arrays and key-value pairs, making it native to JavaScript and highly readable for modern web applications. XML uses a document object model with elements, attributes, and text nodes, which provides a highly descriptive and extensible format often favored by enterprise systems.

When you convert XML to JSON, the parser has to make decisions about how to represent XML-specific features in a JSON format. This tool gives you control over those decisions through a few key settings:

Handling Attributes: XML tags frequently use attributes to store metadata (e.g., <book id="123">). By default, the converter preserves these attributes in the JSON output by prefixing the key with an @ symbol (e.g., "@id": "123"). If you only care about the inner text of the nodes, you can disable attribute parsing entirely for a cleaner JSON output. If your project requires a different naming convention, you can change the @ prefix to an underscore or any other character.

Parsing Data Types: XML does not distinguish between a string, a number, or a boolean; everything is text. If you have <price>44.95</price> and <available>true</available>, a standard conversion will result in JSON strings: "44.95" and "true". By enabling the Types option, the parser evaluates the content and converts recognized values into native JSON numbers and booleans, saving you from having to cast types manually in your code later.

Ensuring Valid XML: When converting JSON to XML, the structural rules of XML must be respected. The most prominent rule is that an XML document can only have one root node. If your JSON starts with an array or contains multiple top-level keys, the tool automatically wraps the output in a <root> element (and <item> elements for array items) so the resulting string is always valid XML.

Common use cases for developers

Modernizing legacy APIs. Many older enterprise systems, SOAP web services, and financial platforms exclusively output XML. If you are building a modern web or mobile application, you likely prefer JSON for its smaller payload size and native compatibility with JavaScript. You can use this tool to quickly prototype how legacy XML responses will look once mapped to JSON, making it easier to write your frontend data models.

Data migration and integration. When moving data between different platforms, you often encounter format mismatches. An RSS feed or sitemap might provide XML, but your database or analytics tool might require JSON imports. Converting snippets here helps you design the schema mapping before writing the actual integration scripts in Python or Node.js.

Configuration file management. Some frameworks and applications use XML for configuration (like Java's Maven, Spring, or Android manifests), while others rely on JSON (like Node.js package.json or cloud deployments). If you are migrating a project or simply prefer reading one format over the other, you can instantly translate the configuration structure to see how the nested properties align.

Tips for formatting and validation

  • Check for syntax errors: XML is notoriously strict. A single missing closing bracket, an unclosed tag, or an unescaped ampersand (&) will break the parser. If the tool throws an error, look at the line and column numbers provided in the red text below the input to pinpoint the exact typo.
  • Text node handling: If an XML element contains both attributes and text (e.g., <price currency="USD">44.95</price>), the converter will place the text inside a special #text key in the JSON object to ensure no data is lost while keeping the attribute separate.
  • Formatting your code: This tool outputs formatted code by default. However, if you are working with existing files that are messy or minified, you might want to format them directly without changing their language. You can use the XML Formatter or the JSON Formatter to properly indent and organize your code.
  • Working with flat data: If you are trying to convert flat spreadsheet data into a nested format, you might find the CSV to JSON tool more appropriate for your workflow.

Frequently asked questions

How does the XML to JSON converter handle attributes?
XML elements can have both attributes and text content, whereas JSON only has key-value pairs. By default, the converter includes attributes in the JSON output and prefixes their keys with an "@" symbol to distinguish them from standard child nodes. You can customize this prefix or disable attribute parsing entirely.
What does the "Types" option do?
In XML, all data is inherently text. When converting XML to JSON, everything defaults to a string. Enabling the "Types" option tells the parser to evaluate the text and automatically convert values that look like numbers (e.g., "42") or booleans ("true"/"false") into their native JSON data types.
Is my data sent to a server?
No. This tool functions entirely as a client-side xml parser online. All parsing, validation, and conversion happen directly in your browser using JavaScript. Your data is never uploaded to a server, making it completely safe for sensitive databases or proprietary configurations.
How does JSON to XML handle multiple root elements?
A valid XML document must have exactly one root element. If you attempt to convert a JSON object with multiple top-level keys, or a JSON array, the converter will automatically wrap the output in a tag (and tags for arrays) so the resulting XML remains structurally valid.
What happens if my XML is invalid?
The tool validates your XML before attempting to convert it. If there is a syntax error—such as a missing closing tag or an unescaped character—it will display an error message indicating the exact line and column number where the parsing failed, helping you locate and fix the issue quickly.

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