# How to Convert JSON to XML

> Transform JSON data into well-formed XML with configurable root elements and array formatting — built for SOAP APIs, legacy systems, and XML-based workflows.

- URL: https://www.browserutils.dev/how-to/convert-json-to-xml
- Published: 2026-08-23
- Updated: 2026-07-02

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## Step 1: Paste your JSON

Copy valid JSON data and paste it into the input editor. The tool accepts objects, arrays, and nested structures of any depth.

## Step 2: Configure conversion options

Set options such as the root element name, whether to use attributes versus child elements, and how arrays should be represented in XML.

## Step 3: Review the XML output

Inspect the generated XML to verify that element names, nesting, and data types map correctly to your requirements.

## Step 4: Copy the XML

Click the copy button to grab the well-formed XML output, ready for use in your SOAP service, data import, or XML workflow.

XML remains a requirement in many enterprise environments — SOAP APIs, legacy data imports, and regulatory systems often only accept XML. If your data lives in JSON, the [JSON to XML Converter](/tools/json-to-xml) bridges the gap without you needing to hand-write angle brackets and closing tags.

## Understanding JSON-to-XML conversion

JSON and XML can represent similar data structures but use fundamentally different models. JSON has objects (key-value pairs) and arrays (ordered lists). XML has elements, attributes, and text content. Mapping between them requires decisions about how to handle things that do not translate directly.

Arrays are the trickiest part. JSON's `"items": [1, 2, 3]` has no single correct XML representation — it could become `<items><item>1</item><item>2</item><item>3</item></items>` or use a flat structure with repeated element names. The converter lets you configure this behavior to match what your target system expects.

JSON keys become XML element names, which means keys containing spaces, special characters, or starting with numbers need to be sanitized. The converter handles this automatically, but you should review the output to make sure element names match your schema requirements.

## Tips and best practices

- **Define a meaningful root element.** XML requires a single root element. If your JSON is an object, the converter wraps it in a root element — choose a name that makes sense for your schema rather than accepting a generic default.
- **Check your target system's schema.** If you are sending XML to a SOAP API or importing into a database, match the element names and structure to the expected schema. You may need to rename keys in the JSON before converting.
- **Handle null values explicitly.** JSON `null` can be represented as an empty element, an element with `xsi:nil="true"`, or omitted entirely. Know what your target system expects.
- **Validate with an XML parser after conversion.** Ensure the output is well-formed XML by parsing it with a standard XML library before sending it to production systems.

## Common issues

- **Array elements get generic names.** When converting JSON arrays, the converter may use generic element names like `<item>` or `<element>`. Rename these to match your schema if needed.
- **Attributes versus elements confusion.** JSON has no concept of XML attributes. All JSON values become child elements by default. If your target schema requires attributes, you may need to restructure the output manually.
- **Special characters in values.** Characters like `<`, `>`, and `&` in JSON string values must be escaped in XML (`&lt;`, `&gt;`, `&amp;`). The converter handles this automatically, but verify if you are post-processing the output.