YAML Formatter & Validator

Format, minify, and validate YAML data instantly with our free online YAML formatter tool.

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YAML Formatter

Your formatted YAML will appear here

How to Use the YAML Formatter

  1. Paste your YAML data into the input field on the left
  2. Click "Format" to beautify and indent your YAML with proper spacing
  3. Click "Minify" to compress YAML by removing whitespace and comments
  4. Use "Copy to Clipboard" to quickly copy the formatted result
  5. Load YAML files directly using the "Load" button

Key Features

  • YAML beautification and formatting
  • YAML minification for production
  • Syntax validation
  • Copy to clipboard functionality
  • File upload support (.yaml, .yml, .txt)
  • No data stored or transmitted

Common Use Cases

  • Format configuration files
  • Validate YAML syntax
  • Clean up deployment configs
  • Debug Docker Compose files
  • Prepare YAML for code reviews
  • Educational purposes

About YAML

YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) is a human-readable data serialization standard. It's commonly used for configuration files, data exchange between applications, and infrastructure as code. YAML is designed to be easily readable by humans while still being machine-parseable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is YAML formatting?

YAML formatting, also known as "pretty printing," adds proper indentation, line breaks, and spacing to make YAML data more readable. It transforms compressed YAML into a structured, easy-to-read format.

What does minifying YAML do?

Minifying YAML removes unnecessary whitespace, comments, and empty lines to create a more compact file size. This is useful for reducing bandwidth usage while maintaining YAML structure.

Is my YAML data safe to use with this tool?

Yes, this YAML formatter runs entirely in your browser. Your data is never sent to our servers or stored anywhere. All processing happens locally on your device for maximum privacy and security.

What happens if my YAML has syntax errors?

The tool will attempt to format your YAML and display clear error messages if syntax issues are detected. This helps you identify and fix problems like incorrect indentation or invalid characters.

Can I format large YAML files?

Yes, but very large files may slow down your browser since processing happens client-side. For optimal performance, we recommend files under 5MB. Larger files should be processed in chunks.

What's the difference between YAML and JSON?

YAML is more human-readable and supports comments, while JSON is more compact and widely supported. YAML uses indentation for structure, while JSON uses brackets and braces. Both are data serialization formats.

Do I need to install anything to use this tool?

No installation required! This is a web-based tool that works in any modern browser. Simply paste your YAML and start formatting immediately.