TSV to JSON Converter
Convert TSV (Tab-Separated Values) data into a JSON array of objects, with optional automatic type detection for numbers, booleans, and null.
Conversion Options
Recommended Settings
Pro Tips
- •The header row's column names become the JSON object keys for every row
- •With type inference on, 'true'/'false' become booleans, numeric text becomes numbers, and empty cells become null
- •Disable type inference to keep every value as a plain string, exactly as written in the TSV
- •Enable unescaping if your TSV has literal \t, \n, or \r sequences that should become real characters
- •Disable 'First row contains headers' if your TSV has no header row - generic column1, column2... keys will be used instead
Most Popular
Most users keep header detection and type inference enabled for well-typed JSON
When to Use This Tool
Convert TSV exports from spreadsheets or databases into JSON fixtures for tests, mocks, or seeding a JSON-based data store.
Bridge TSV-exporting tools and JSON-based APIs or NoSQL databases by converting tab-delimited exports directly into JSON documents.
Convert TSV output from Unix tools like awk or cut into JSON for further processing in JavaScript, Python, or a web application.
Export a spreadsheet as TSV (tab-delimited text) and convert it into structured JSON for use in code without manual reformatting.
How It Works
Split the TSV input into rows on newlines, and each row into cells on tab characters
Optionally unescape literal \t, \n, and \r sequences back into real tab, newline, and carriage return characters
Use the first row as column headers, or generate generic column1, column2... keys if there's no header row
Map each remaining row's cells to the header's key names to build one JSON object per row
Optionally infer numbers, booleans, and null from the cell text, then stringify the array as JSON
100% Private
Files never leave your device. All processing happens locally in your browser.
Lightning Fast
Powered by Pure JavaScript for optimal performance on modern browsers.
Secure
No data collection, no tracking, no sign-up required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What TSV format does this tool expect?
Standard tab-delimited data: rows separated by newlines, columns separated by tab characters. By default, the first row is treated as column headers.
How does type inference work?
With type inference enabled, 'true'/'false' become JSON booleans, whole or decimal numbers become JSON numbers, 'null' and empty cells become JSON null, and everything else stays a string. Disable it to keep every value as the literal text from the TSV.
What does 'unescape special characters' do?
Some TSV exports represent literal tabs or newlines inside a value as the escape sequences \t, \n, or \r. This option converts those sequences back into their actual characters before building the JSON.
What if my TSV doesn't have a header row?
Disable 'First row contains headers' and every row will be treated as data, with generic keys like column1, column2 generated based on the widest row.
Can I control the JSON formatting?
Yes. Enable 'Pretty print' for readable, 2-space indented JSON, or disable it to get compact, single-line JSON that's smaller to copy or store.