JSON to XML Converter
Convert JSON content into properly structured XML with this free tool. Ideal for developers handling API responses, data migration, or integration systems.
⏱ 5 min read · Complete guide below
JSON to XML Converter
How to Convert JSON to XML
- 1Paste your JSON into the input box. Both JSON objects and JSON arrays are supported.
- 2Click Convert to XML. The XML output appears below with proper indentation and an XML declaration header. If your JSON has a syntax error, a descriptive message is shown.
- 3Click Copy to copy the XML to your clipboard, ready to paste into your code editor, API tool, or integration platform.
- 4Arrays are wrapped in an
<items>root with<item>children. Objects are wrapped in a<root>element. Adjust the tag names in your code after conversion if needed.
JSON vs XML — Key Differences
JSON and XML both represent structured data but have different strengths. JSON is compact, maps directly onto the data types of most programming languages, and has become the default for modern REST APIs and JavaScript applications. XML is more verbose but also more expressive: it supports attributes on elements, namespaces for combining vocabularies, comments, and a mature ecosystem of validation (XSD schemas) and transformation (XSLT) tools. As a rough rule, JSON wins when you want lightweight data exchange between web services, while XML remains entrenched in enterprise, document-centric, and regulated environments where formal schemas and validation matter. Understanding which side you are targeting avoids unnecessary conversion and keeps data integrity intact.
Where JSON and XML Do Not Line Up Neatly
Because the two formats are not perfectly equivalent, a mechanical conversion always makes some choices for you, and it helps to know what they are. JSON arrays have no direct XML counterpart, so this tool represents them as repeated sibling elements wrapped in a container (<items> with <item> children); XML itself has no built-in “array” concept. JSON keys become element names, which means a key that is not a valid XML name — one starting with a digit, or containing spaces or certain symbols — would produce invalid XML, so keep names simple or plan to adjust them. XML also cannot natively distinguish the number 30 from the string "30"; everything becomes element text, and any type information is inferred later by the consumer or a schema. And whereas JSON has a real null, this converter renders it as an empty element, which a downstream system may or may not treat the same way. None of these are errors — they are the unavoidable trade-offs of moving between a hierarchical data format and a markup language — but reviewing the output against what your target system expects will save debugging later.
Common JSON to XML Use Cases
SOAP Web Services
SOAP APIs require XML request bodies. Convert your JSON data structures to XML here before building the SOAP envelope, especially useful when integrating modern JSON APIs with legacy SOAP backends.
Enterprise ERP Integration
SAP, Oracle, and many legacy ERP systems use XML for data exchange. Convert JSON exports from modern SaaS tools to XML format for import into these systems without writing a custom transformation script.
Regulatory Submissions
Government and financial regulatory systems often require XML-formatted data submissions. Convert your internally structured JSON records to the required XML format for filing and reporting.
RSS & Atom Feeds
RSS and Atom feed formats are XML-based. Convert a JSON article list or content feed to XML as a starting point for generating syndication feeds from a JSON API source.
Android Resource Files
Android string resources, layout configurations, and manifest files are all XML. Convert JSON config or localisation data to XML format for Android project integration.
Data Archiving
XML is widely used for long-term data archiving because it is self-describing and human-readable without tooling. Convert JSON records to XML for archival storage alongside XSLT stylesheets for future rendering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What JSON structures does the converter support?
The converter supports both JSON arrays and JSON objects. An array is wrapped in an <items> root element with each item in an <item> tag. An object is wrapped in a <root> element with child elements named after each key. Nested objects produce nested XML elements. Mixed arrays (different object shapes) are supported — all unique keys across items will appear as XML elements.
What does the XML output look like?
The output starts with an XML declaration (<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>) followed by the root element. For a JSON array [{"name":"Alice","age":30}], the output would be <items><item><name>Alice</name><age>30</age></item></items>. For a JSON object {"title":"Hello"}, it becomes <root><title>Hello</title></root>. Values are rendered as element text content.
Can I convert deeply nested JSON to XML?
Yes. Nested JSON objects produce nested XML elements, and arrays within objects produce repeated elements with the same tag name. For example, a JSON array property becomes a sequence of sibling XML elements. Very deeply nested structures will produce correspondingly deep XML — there is no depth limit enforced by the converter.
What happens to JSON null values?
JSON null values are converted to empty XML elements. For example, "description": null becomes <description></description> in the XML output. If your downstream system expects self-closing empty tags (<description/>), you may need to post-process the output.
Why do I need to convert JSON to XML?
JSON is standard for modern REST APIs, but many enterprise systems still use XML — including SOAP web services, legacy ERP platforms, EDI exchanges, some CMS systems, and Android resource files. You may need to convert JSON API responses to XML when integrating with these systems, or when a business partner or regulatory submission requires XML format.
Is my data sent to a server?
No. All conversion logic runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your data is never uploaded to any server, never logged, and never stored. This makes the tool safe for sensitive business data, internal API responses, and personal datasets.