INI to JSON Converter

INI → JSON. Keys before the first [section] stay at the root, duplicate keys collapse into an array, and both ; and # start a comment.

Nest dotted sections ([a.b] under a)

Infer scalar types

INI; global settings
engine = innodb
max_connections = 151

[database]
host = db.internal
port = 3306
user = "checkout"
ssl = true

[database.pool]
min = 5
max = 20

[logging]
level = info
handler = console
handler = file
path = /var/log/app.log

JSON{
  "engine": "innodb",
  "max_connections": 151,
  "database": {
    "host": "db.internal",
    "port": 3306,
    "user": "checkout",
    "ssl": true,
    "pool": {
      "min": 5,
      "max": 20
    }
  },
  "logging": {
    "level": "info",
    "handler": [
      "console",
      "file"
    ],
    "path": "/var/log/app.log"
  }
}

INI to JSON Converter — Free Online Tool

Converts INI and config files into JSON, grouping keys under their [section] headers, supporting subsections written as [a.b], both equals and colon separators, semicolon and hash comments, quoted values and duplicate keys collapsed into arrays, useful for reading php.ini, systemd units, tox.ini, .gitconfig and legacy application settings programmatically.

How to use the INI to JSON Converter

Open the tool above — it runs entirely in your browser, so your input never leaves this page.
Paste or type your input into the field, then press the relevant button (e.g. Encode / Decode, Generate, or Convert).
Copy the result from the output area with the copy button orCtrl/Cmd + C.
No signup, no upload, and no tracking — repeat as often as you need.

Frequently asked questions

There is no INI standard — which dialect does this follow?

The union of the conventions actually in use: [section] headers, dotted subsections, both = and : separators, both ; and # comments, optional quoting, and keys before the first section kept at the root.

What happens when a key appears twice in one section?

The values collapse into an array, which is how repeated directives are meant to be read in files like .gitconfig and systemd units. A single occurrence stays a scalar.

Why did true become a boolean instead of the string "true"?

Scalar inference also recognizes yes/on and no/off, which INI dialects use as booleans. Turn inference off when you need every value preserved as its original text.

Free & private — why use this INI to JSON Converter

The INI to JSON Converter runs 100% client-side in your browser. Your data is never uploaded to a server, no account is required, and the tool is completely free. It works offline once the page has loaded and is part of a growing collection of privacy-first developer utilities.

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