YAML Formatter & Validator
Format and validate your YAML code instantly
This YAML formatter normalizes indentation and validates syntax for config files, Kubernetes manifests, CI pipelines, and Docker Compose files. Because YAML is whitespace-sensitive, small indentation mistakes are a common source of errors — this tool catches them before you deploy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is YAML indentation so important?
Unlike JSON, YAML uses indentation (not braces) to define nesting. Mixing tabs and spaces, or indenting by an inconsistent number of spaces, changes the meaning of your document or breaks parsing entirely. This validator flags those issues.
Can this handle multi-document YAML files (with --- separators)?
The formatter is built for single-document YAML. For files with multiple --- separated documents, format each document individually for the most reliable results.
Can I convert YAML to JSON?
Yes — use the YAML to JSON or YAML to XML converter links above the editor to instantly transform your data while preserving structure.
Does it support YAML anchors and aliases (&, *)?
Yes, standard YAML anchors, aliases, and merge keys are parsed and validated correctly.
Can I see what changed while I was editing?
Yes — click Snapshot to save a checkpoint of your current YAML, then keep editing. A button appears when the content differs from that checkpoint, opening a diff view. The comparison ignores key order and indentation, so reformatting alone won't count as a change.
Have suggestions or feedback? We're constantly improving FormatChamp based on your comments.