Introduction
Both XML and JSON are the two most prevalent information formats. XML has existed for many years, but more developers are transitioning from XML, being less informative and larger in file sizes, to JSON, which has faster access to information and smaller file sizes and is more user friendly. Consequently, many developers convert XML files to JSON files to take advantage of newer technologies and tools.
You have opened an XML file and seen the multiple tags and thought you were lost, right? Well, if you have been there before, you are definitely not alone. The good news is that converting this type of file to a different format (specifically to JSON format) is very easy to do if you are familiar with the method. This article will look at: 1) What are XML and JSON 2) Why do we need to convert from XML to JSON 3) How can I easily convert from XML to JSON using various methods including: 1) Using online tools 2) Coding examples in Python and JavaScript.
What Is XML?
XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a format that stores structured data in tags that are similar to HTML tags. An example is shown below:
| <person> <name>John</name> <age>30</age> </person> |
Because XML was designed to hold more structured data than HTML, it also may take more time to read and require more space than JSON.
What Is JSON?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a format that stores data in a more straightforward way using key-value pairs. It’s popular in APIs and modern apps.
Here’s the same data in JSON:
| { “person”: { “name”: “John”, “age”: 30 } } |
As you can see, JSON is clean, short, and easy to understand.
XML vs JSON:
| Feature | XML | JSON |
| Format | Uses Tags | Uses Key-Value Pairs |
| Readability | Harder | Easier |
| File Size | Larger | Smaller |
| Speed | Slower | Faster |
| Common Use | Document | APIs & Web Apps |
Why Convert XML to JSON?
Here are some simple reasons why people convert XML to JSON:
- Faster data processing
- Easier integration with websites and apps
- Better readability for humans
- Lightweight files, which means faster load times
- Works excellently with JavaScript and APIs
Methods to Convert XML to JSON
There are a few easy ways to do this, even if you’re not a programmer.
1. Use an Online XML to JSON Converter
This is the simplest way.
You can use a free tool like Rapid Free Formatter.
Steps:
- Go to an online converter website
- Paste your XML code
- Click “Convert to JSON”
- Copy or download your new JSON file
That’s it! No coding needed.
2. Convert XML to JSON in JavaScript
If you’re coding, JavaScript has libraries that make it simple.
Example:
| const xml2js = require(‘xml2js’); const parser = new xml2js.Parser(); const xml = ‘<person><name>John</name><age>30</age></person>’; parser.parseString(xml, (err, result) => { console.log(JSON.stringify(result)); }); |
This code reads your XML and changes it into JSON instantly.
3. Convert XML to JSON in Python
Python also has an easy way to do it using the xmltodict library.
Example:
| import xmltodict import json xml_data = “<person><name>John</name><age>30</age></person>” json_data = json.dumps(xmltodict.parse(xml_data)) print(json_data) |
This gives you clean and readable JSON output.
Best XML to JSON Converters (2025)
Here are the trusted tool you can use for free:
Using RapidFreeFormatter.com allows developers and data analysts to convert their XML to JSON, format code, and prettify their text in a matter of seconds. With this service, you can also access to many other features that allow the user to do a variety of tasks in addition to this main use such as creating a new document, generating a new document from existing files and many others.
Rapid Free Formatter is a simple online tool that does not require registration or software downloading. Rapid Free Formatter is a time-saving tool that produces an easy-to-read output. Rapid Free Formatter is simple to use, provides output quickly, and provides a variety of data conversion tools that make it easy for professionals and beginners to use this tool.
Common Conversion Problems
Sometimes, you may encounter minor issues during the conversion process. Here’s how to fix them:
- Nested Tags: Verify that your XML tags are properly closed.
- Attributes missing: Ensure you use the correct converter that preserves XML attributes.
- Encoding errors: Use UTF-8 encoding to avoid character issues.
SEO Tip for Developers
If you work with websites, you can also convert XML sitemaps to JSON. This helps when you want to show your site’s data in a web app or dashboard in a cleaner way.
Handling Large XML Files During Conversion:
It can be slow and challenging to use big XML files. Usually the structure of XML files has deep nesting, long structures, and other forms of formatting that can make them difficult to convert. Therefore, you will want to use a streaming-based utility or tool/script when working with a large XML file as this will stream the XML file’s data rather than loading the entire XML file into memory.
By streaming an XML file this way, you are able to reduce the amount of memory used and help prevent out-of-memory errors. Additionally, you should clean up your XML files prior to converting them – this includes, removing any blank lines, blank spaces, and any empty tags. The smaller the file size, the less processing you will have to do on the XML file. You should also convert a very large XML file in chunks to help keep your conversion stable and from overloading your machine.
Best Practices for Accurate XML to JSON Transformation:
You should create your XML document with a well-formed XML structure before you attempt to convert it to JSON. Each tag must have an opening and closing tag so you do not lose information when converting to JSON. It’s also important to understand how XML attributes will translate into JSON keys; incorrect mapping of attributes into keys will confuse users later.
Use a reputable XML to JSON converter library such as xml2js, xmltodict, or xml2json for the best experience while converting and to ensure that your conversion is successful. You should validate the conversion of your JSON file and check that it is formatted correctly and is easy to read for others who will be using it. Finally, create a consistent conversion method so that you are able to maintain consistency in the organization of your data and create ease for all users with regards to accessing files that contain data.
How to Fix XML to JSON Conversion Errors?
If you encounter errors while converting XML to JSON, check for the following common issues with your XML source: missing end tags, misspelling, and using special characters. Small issues can prevent the full conversion of your data. If you find that attributes are missing from the resulting JSON, use a tool or library that maintains the attributes with the highest level of fidelity when converting.
Encoding problems are also frequent occurrences during this process. To avoid strange symbols or unreadable characters in your JSON, ensure that you are using UTF-8 encoding. If you have received JSON data that appears to be incorrect or messy, use a JSON validator to determine the structure of the resulting JSON. By correcting these basic issues, you will typically find that conversion errors occur less frequently and that your resulting data remains high-quality and reliable.
Conclusion
XML to JSON conversion is now a straightforward process for everyone who understands both XML and JSON, as they are only two separate formats. The only skill needed to create a JSON document from an XML document is the ability to use both formats.
JSON has become the standard data exchange format for both application and web developers because of its ease of use, readability, small amount of storage space used, and ease of parsing. By utilizing JSON, you can create your project very quickly and make your project faster and easier to work with when accessing data contained within storage systems such as web pages, APIs, or databases.
Free tools online, like RapidFreeFormatter.com, offer easy alternatives to writing code. You can convert your XML file into a JSON format quickly and with no installation required. Rapid Free Formatter is a great tool whether you are an experienced programmer or someone just starting out.
So when you are working with an XML file on your computer, remember not to worry about the formatting; just convert the file to JSON so you can have a clean, fast, and readable format. Data conversion can be simple when you have the best online resources available to help you.
FAQs:
1. Can I convert XML to JSON online?
Yes! Use free tools like RapidFreeFormatter.
2. Will conversion change my data?
No, but you should check for missing attributes after converting.
3. Is JSON better than XML?
Yes, for most web apps and APIs — it’s faster and easier to read.
4. Do I need coding to convert XML to JSON?
Not at all. Online tools can do it instantly for you.