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XML to JSON Converter

Convert XML documents to JSON format with support for compact and non-compact modes. Handles attributes, nested elements, arrays, and text content automatically. Perfect for API integration and data transformation.

Category: data
Use Case: API Integration, Data Migration, Config Conversion
Privacy: 100% browser-based

Conversion Options

Simplified JSON structure (recommended)

Convert numbers and booleans to native types

Skip XML comments during conversion

Skip XML declaration (<?xml...?>)

Remove leading/trailing whitespace from text

0 characters

Recommended Settings

XML to JSON Conversion Best Practices

  • Use compact format for cleaner, more readable JSON that's easier to work with in applications
  • Enable Native Types to convert XML numeric and boolean strings to actual JavaScript types
  • Ignore comments and declarations unless they contain important metadata for your use case
  • Trim whitespace to remove unnecessary spacing from text content
  • Be aware that repeated elements become arrays automatically - check your data structure

Common Use Cases

  • API integration: Transform SOAP/XML API responses to JSON for JavaScript applications
  • Data migration: Convert XML exports to JSON for import into modern databases (MongoDB, PostgreSQL JSONB)
  • Config conversion: Transform XML config files to JSON for tools that prefer JSON format
  • Legacy system integration: Bridge XML-based systems with JSON-based microservices
  • Testing & development: Convert XML test data to JSON for easier mocking and fixtures

Pro Tips

  • Paste XML and it auto-validates - conversion triggers when valid XML detected
  • Green checkmark indicates well-formed XML ready for conversion
  • Attributes stored in _attributes object (compact) or attributes property (non-compact)
  • Text content stored as _text property to separate from child elements

Most Popular

Most users prefer compact format with native types, ignoring comments and declarations

When to Use This Tool

API Response Transformation

Convert XML API responses to JSON for easier consumption in JavaScript applications. Transform SOAP/REST APIs that return XML into JSON for use with modern frameworks (React, Vue, Angular). Perfect for legacy API integration, webhook processing, or building API proxies that normalize XML responses to JSON for frontend applications.

Recommended: API Integration

Data Migration & ETL

Migrate data from XML databases, config files, or export formats to JSON-based systems. Convert XML data dumps, backup files, or legacy database exports to JSON for import into MongoDB, PostgreSQL (JSONB), or other JSON-friendly databases. Essential for modernization projects, data warehouse loading, or cross-platform data synchronization.

Recommended: Data Engineering

Configuration File Conversion

Transform XML configuration files (Maven pom.xml, Spring beans.xml, .csproj) to JSON format for tools that prefer JSON config. Convert build configurations, deployment manifests, or application settings to JSON for easier parsing, editing, and version control diffing. Useful for migrating projects to JSON-based config systems.

Recommended: DevOps & Migration

How It Works

1

Paste or type your XML document into the input field

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Tool automatically validates XML using browser's DOMParser API

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Checks for well-formedness: proper tags, nesting, attributes, and syntax

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Green checkmark appears when XML validation passes successfully

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Click 'Convert to JSON' to start conversion (or auto-converts on paste if valid)

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xml-js library parses XML structure into JavaScript object representation

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Compact mode creates simplified structure with _text and _attributes properties

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Non-compact mode preserves full XML metadata with type, name, and elements

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Native Type option converts string values to numbers, booleans automatically

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Repeated XML elements are detected and converted to JSON arrays

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JSON is formatted with selected indent size (2 or 4 spaces) for readability

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Copy JSON to clipboard or download as .json file ready to use

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All processing happens in browser - your data never leaves your device

100% Private

Files never leave your device. All processing happens locally in your browser.

Lightning Fast

Powered by Client-side JavaScript with xml-js library and browser's native DOMParser for optimal performance on modern browsers.

Open Source

Built with verified, open-source libraries. Fully transparent.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between compact and non-compact format?

Compact format creates a simplified JSON structure where elements become objects with '_text' for content and '_attributes' for attributes. It's cleaner and easier to work with. Non-compact format preserves the full XML structure with 'type', 'name', and 'elements' properties, providing complete metadata about the XML document structure but resulting in more verbose JSON.

How are XML attributes converted to JSON?

In compact format, attributes are stored in an '_attributes' object. For example, <user id="123"> becomes {"user": {"_attributes": {"id": "123"}}}. In non-compact format, attributes are stored in an 'attributes' property of the element object. The tool preserves all attribute names and values exactly as they appear in the XML.

How are repeated XML elements handled as arrays?

When multiple elements with the same name appear at the same level, they're automatically converted to a JSON array. For example, multiple <item> elements become an array: {"items": {"item": [{...}, {...}]}}. This preserves the repetition pattern from XML in a natural JSON array structure.

What does the 'Native Type' option do?

The Native Type option automatically converts XML text values to their appropriate JavaScript types. Numbers like "123" become actual numbers (123), "true"/"false" become booleans, etc. When disabled, all values remain strings. This makes the JSON more usable in JavaScript but may lose information if the original XML intentionally used string representations.

How is XML text content (character data) represented?

In compact format, element text content is stored as '_text' property. For example, <name>John</name> becomes {"name": {"_text": "John"}}. If an element has only text and no attributes or children, it may be simplified to just the text value depending on the structure. In non-compact format, text is stored as elements with 'type': 'text'.

Can I ignore XML comments and declarations?

Yes! The 'Ignore Comments' option skips <!-- comments --> during conversion. The 'Ignore Declaration' option skips the <?xml version="1.0"?> declaration. These are enabled by default since comments and declarations rarely matter for data conversion and just add noise to the JSON output.

How do I handle XML namespaces?

XML namespaces are preserved in element names. For example, <ns:user> becomes {"ns:user": {...}} in the JSON output. The namespace prefix is included in the JSON key. If you need to parse or process namespaces specially, you'll need to handle that in your application code after conversion.

Is my XML data secure using this tool?

Absolutely! All XML parsing and JSON conversion happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript and the xml-js library. Your XML is never sent to any server, uploaded anywhere, or stored remotely. Everything runs 100% locally client-side, ensuring complete privacy for sensitive XML documents like API responses, config files, or proprietary data.