Deep Dive: JSON to XML Converter
Converting JSON to XML maps objects to elements, arrays to repeated child elements, and primitives to text nodes. The root element name is customizable (default 'root'). JSON keys become XML element names, but XML naming rules are stricter—keys can't start with numbers or contain spaces, so tools may escape or sanitize them. JSON's flexibility (mixed types in arrays, null values) doesn't translate cleanly: some converters wrap arrays in <item> elements, others repeat the parent tag. Attributes don't exist in JSON, so everything becomes child elements. The reverse conversion (XML to JSON) loses this structure, making round-trips imperfect. Useful for SOAP APIs, legacy enterprise systems, or RSS feed generation.
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Privacy Architecture
This tool uses client-side WebAssembly to ensure your data never touches a server. Secure, fast, and 100% private by design.
Core Capabilities
- Convert JSON to valid XML via object-to-element mapping
- Customizable root element name (default: 'root')
- Automatic syntax validation (catches invalid JSON)
- Pretty-print XML output with indentation
- Syntax highlighting
- One-click copy
- Client-side conversion (no server upload)
- Free tool, works offline
Why It Matters
- Compatibility: Connect modern JSON APIs with legacy XML-based systems (SOAP, enterprise tools).
- Accuracy: Ensures your XML is well-formed (closing tags, proper escaping).
- Speed: Instant conversion without manual tagging or XML libraries.
- Privacy: Your data is processed locally (no server for sensitive payloads).
- Convenience: No installation required, works in any browser.
Quick Start Guide
Paste your JSON code into the input editor.
The tool parses it, then converts objects → <elements>, arrays → repeated children.
If needed, change the 'Root Element' name in the settings.
View the formatted XML in the output editor.
Click 'Copy' or 'Download' to save your XML file.
Usage Examples
Simple Object to XML
Scenario 01Convert a basic JSON object
{"name": "John", "age": 30}<root> <name>John</name> <age>30</age> </root>
Array Conversion
Scenario 02JSON arrays become repeated XML elements
{"users": [{"id": 1}, {"id": 2}]}<root>
<users>
<id>1</id>
</users>
<users>
<id>2</id>
</users>
</root>Nested Object Conversion
Scenario 03Nested JSON becomes nested XML tags
{"person": {"name": "Jane", "address": {"city": "NYC"}}}<root>
<person>
<name>Jane</name>
<address>
<city>NYC</city>
</address>
</person>
</root>Common Scenarios
Legacy System Integration
Send modern JSON API data to old XML-based systems.
XML Configuration Files
Generate XML configs from JSON data.
Data Migration
Move data between JSON and XML databases.
RSS Feed Generation
Create XML RSS feeds from JSON blog data.
Questions?
Technical Architecture
How JSON→XML Conversion Works
**The process**: 1. **Parse JSON**: Convert JSON string to JavaScript object 2. **Traverse Object**: Walk through all keys/values recursively 3. **Generate Tags**: Each key becomes an XML element name 4. **Handle Arrays**: Repeated elements for each array item 5. **Escape Content**: Convert special chars to XML entities 6. **Wrap in Root**: Add root element wrapping everything **Example**: ```json {"user": {"name": "John"}} ``` Becomes: ```xml <root> <user> <name>John</name> </user> </root> ``` Each JSON key is an opening/closing tag, values go between tags.
JSON vs XML Structure Differences
**JSON strengths**: - Native data types (number, boolean, null) - Arrays with [] syntax - Compact, less verbose - Easier to read/parse **XML strengths**: - Attributes on elements - Comments allowed - Schema validation (XSD) - Wide enterprise support **Conversion challenges**: - XML has no null type (use empty tag or omit) - XML has no boolean type (use 'true'/'false' strings) - JSON numbers → XML text (lose type info) - JSON arrays → repeated XML elements (not explicit array) **Why convert?** Legacy systems often require XML. This tool bridges the gap!
Root Element Requirement
**Why XML needs a root**: XML MUST have exactly ONE root element wrapping everything: ❌ **Invalid XML** (two root elements): ```xml <name>John</name> <age>30</age> ``` ✅ **Valid XML** (one root): ```xml <root> <name>John</name> <age>30</age> </root> ``` **Customization**: Change `<root>` to match your needs: - `<person>` for user data - `<response>` for API responses - `<data>` for generic data - `<rss>` for RSS feeds Same content, different wrapper based on context!
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Related Articles
Learn more about this tool and related topics in our blog.
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Practical guide to converting between JSON, CSV, XML, and YAML. Plus how to format messy JSON that makes your eyes bleed.
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Peek under the hood of Filemint. A deep dive into WebAssembly, Web Workers, and the cutting-edge tech powering our private browser tools.