How are XML attributes represented in JSON?

By default attributes live inside an `@attrs` object on the element — e.g. ` ` becomes `{ "book": { "@attrs": { "id": "1", "lang": "en" } } }`. If you prefer the inline-prefix style (popular with the xml2js ecosystem) switch the prefix to `@` and attributes flatten as `{ "book": { "@id": "1", "@lang": "en" } }`. Both styles round-trip back to identical XML.

What happens to multiple same-name children?

They collapse into an array automatically. ` a b ` becomes `{ "list": { "item": ["a", "b"] } }`. A single ` ` stays a scalar by default — flip on "Always array" if your downstream code can't handle the polymorphic shape (common requirement when generating TypeScript types from the output).

Does this preserve CDATA, namespaces, and comments?

CDATA: yes — wrapped in `#cdata` so binary blobs and script content survive the round-trip intact. Namespaces: yes — prefixed tag names like ` ` keep their prefix as part of the key. Comments: no — JSON has no comment node and most consumers strip them anyway. The XML declaration (` `) is also dropped because it's metadata about the wire format, not the data.

Can I round-trip XML→JSON→XML losslessly?

For element structure, attributes, text content, CDATA, and child ordering — yes. The reverse pass uses the same `@attrs` / `#text` / `#cdata` keys to rebuild the tree. What you won't get back: source comments (dropped), the original XML declaration (synthesized if you ask for one), and exact whitespace between sibling tags (XML formatters treat it as ignorable anyway).

How is this different from the xml2json npm package?

xml2json is a Node-only library wrapping libxml/expat — useful in a build pipeline, useless in a browser tab. This tool runs the browser's native DOMParser (same engine used for XHR responses), so you get correct parsing for free, zero install, and the conversion works on the SOAP response you just copied out of DevTools without a `node` install. It also exposes options xml2json hides (text-node name, always-array, configurable attribute prefix) and round-trips back to XML in the same tool.

XML ⇄ JSON Converter — Round-Trips With Attributes, CDATA, and Arrays

XML to JSON converter — preserves attributes, nested elements, CDATA. Reversible.

Runs locally
Category Format Converter
Best for Turning pasted content or local files into a handoff-friendly format.

DirectionAttribute styleJSON indent

Text node keyAlways array

Input

Output

What this tool does

Free online XML ⇄ JSON converter that actually round-trips. Paste XML and get JSON where every attribute lives under `@attrs`, every text node under `#text`, every CDATA block under `#cdata`, and same-name siblings collapse into proper arrays. Paste JSON back and you get the original XML — same element order, same nesting, same attribute spelling. Three tunable knobs: attribute prefix (`@` / `_` / custom), text node name (`#text` / `$t`), and force-array-always for downstream code that hates polymorphic shapes. 100% client-side parsing via the browser's native DOMParser — your SOAP responses, Maven POMs, RSS feeds, and Android manifests never leave the tab.

Tool details

Input: Text + Numbers + Structured content; The page exposes text boxes, numeric controls, file pickers, or structured inputs depending on the tool.
Output: Live result + Copy; The result area focuses on usable output, with copy, download, or preview actions when supported.
Privacy: Browser-side processing; The main tool logic does not call an external API, so inputs normally stay in the current tab.
Save / share: No account required; Open the page and use it; whether results survive refresh depends on the tool.
Performance budget: Initial JS <= 18 KB; No WASM budget is declared, keeping the tool quick to open on mobile.
Best fit: Format Converter · Developer; Category and role tags drive related tools, internal links, and quick fit checks.

How to use

1. Input

Paste or drop your content into the tool panel.
2. Process

Click the button. All processing is local in your browser.
3. Copy / Download

Copy the result or download to disk in one click.

How XML ⇄ JSON Converter fits into your work

Use it when the main problem is getting content from one practical format into another.

Conversion jobs

Turning pasted content or local files into a handoff-friendly format.
Previewing a conversion before you use it in a larger workflow.
Cleaning small format mismatches without opening a full editor.

Conversion checks

Try a small sample first when the source format is messy.
Check character encoding, separators, and line endings after conversion.
Keep the source until the converted output has been reviewed.

Good next steps

These links move the current task into a more complete workflow.

FAQ

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XML ⇄ JSON Converter — Round-Trips With Attributes, CDATA, and Arrays

What this tool does

Tool details

How to use

1. Input

2. Process

3. Copy / Download

How XML ⇄ JSON Converter fits into your work

Conversion jobs

Conversion checks

Good next steps

FAQ

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