How are objects converted?

JSON keys become XML element names; values become element content. Root element defaults to ` ` — configurable.

What about JSON arrays?

Each array element becomes a repeated child element. `{items: [1, 2]}` → ` 1 2 `.

How are attributes generated?

Opt-in — prefix JSON keys with `@` to mark them as XML attributes (`@id: "123"` → `id="123"`). Matches the common XML-JSON convention.

Does it handle namespaces?

Limited. Add `xmlns:prefix` keys to the JSON; the tool propagates them to the root. Complex namespace-aware XML is better hand-written.

JSON to XML | DevTools Surf

DevTools Surf

Example: JSON to XML

A worked example, rendered from real sample data. Sign in to run the tool on your own input.

Input

{"catalog":{"books":[{"title":"JavaScript","author":"John"},{"title":"TypeScript","author":"Jane"}]}}

Output

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root>
  <catalog>
    <books>
      <title>JavaScript</title>
      <author>John</author>
    </books>
    <books>
      <title>TypeScript</title>
      <author>Jane</author>
    </books>
  </catalog>
</root>

About JSON to XML

Convert JSON data to XML format. Part of the DevTools Surf developer suite. Browse more tools in the Converters collection.

Use Cases

Backend devs converting JSON API responses for XML-based legacy systems
Integration engineers bridging JSON microservices with SOAP endpoints
Data engineers transforming JSON datasets for XML-consuming ETL pipelines
Enterprise devs adapting JSON configs for XML-based application servers

Tips

Specify a root element name to wrap the converted XML output
Check that JSON arrays map to repeated XML elements correctly
Verify that JSON null values are handled in the XML output

Fun Facts

JSON and XML have been competing data formats since the mid-2000s, with JSON overtaking XML in API usage by 2013.
XML can represent data structures that JSON cannot, such as mixed content (text interleaved with elements) and attributes.
The XML specification is 33 pages long, while the JSON specification fits on a single printed page.

FAQ

How are objects converted?: JSON keys become XML element names; values become element content. Root element defaults to `<root>` — configurable.
What about JSON arrays?: Each array element becomes a repeated child element. `{items: [1, 2]}` → `<items>1</items><items>2</items>`.
How are attributes generated?: Opt-in — prefix JSON keys with `@` to mark them as XML attributes (`@id: "123"` → `id="123"`). Matches the common XML-JSON convention.
Does it handle namespaces?: Limited. Add `xmlns:prefix` keys to the JSON; the tool propagates them to the root. Complex namespace-aware XML is better hand-written.

Related Converters Tools

JSON to CSV JSON to YAML JSON to TSV JSON to String XML to JSON XML to CSV XML to String XML to YAML