What is XML to JSON Converter?
XML (eXtensible Markup Language) and JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) are two foundational data interchange formats with different strengths. XML uses a tag-based syntax with support for attributes, namespaces, and mixed content, making it common in enterprise systems, SOAP web services, and legacy integrations. JSON uses a lightweight key-value syntax that is native to JavaScript and dominates modern REST APIs, NoSQL databases, and front-end applications. This converter transforms data between both formats while preserving structure, attributes, and nested relationships.
How to Use This Tool
Paste your XML or JSON into the input area. Click "XML to JSON" to parse the XML and produce a formatted JSON representation. XML attributes are mapped with an @_ prefix, text content uses a #text key, and repeated sibling elements are automatically grouped into arrays. To go the other direction, paste a JSON object and click "JSON to XML" to generate well-formed XML with a declaration header. The root JSON key becomes the root XML element. Copy the output or click "Clear" to reset.
Common Use Cases
- Migrating data from SOAP-based enterprise services to modern REST/JSON APIs
- Converting XML configuration files (Maven, Ant, Spring) to JSON for newer toolchains
- Parsing RSS/Atom feeds and XML sitemaps into JSON for processing in JavaScript applications
- Transforming XML database exports into JSON for import into MongoDB or other document stores
Why Use a Client-Side XML/JSON Converter?
XML data from enterprise systems often contains proprietary schema definitions, internal data structures, and business-sensitive information. Uploading this to a remote conversion service creates an unnecessary security risk. This tool uses the browser's native DOMParser to process XML entirely on your device. No data is sent to any server, no files are uploaded, and no content is stored or logged. This makes it safe for working with confidential enterprise data, healthcare records, or financial XML feeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are XML attributes handled in the JSON output?
XML attributes are converted to JSON properties with an @_ prefix to distinguish them from child elements. For example, an XML element like <book id="123"> becomes a JSON object with a property "@_id": "123". This convention is widely used by XML-to-JSON conversion libraries and makes it possible to round-trip data back to XML without losing attribute information.
What happens with repeated XML elements that share the same tag name?
When multiple sibling elements share the same tag name, the converter automatically groups them into a JSON array. For example, multiple <item> elements inside a <list> parent become a single "item" array property in the JSON output. Single elements remain as plain objects. This behavior ensures the JSON structure accurately represents collections and lists from your XML source.
Can I convert JSON back to XML and get the same original document?
The converter supports round-tripping between formats as long as the JSON follows the expected conventions (@_ prefix for attributes, #text for text content). However, XML features like processing instructions, comments, CDATA sections, and namespace declarations are not preserved in the JSON representation. For most data conversion use cases, the round-trip preserves all meaningful content, but the exact XML formatting and declaration details may differ from the original.