3 Ways to Convert CSV to JSON

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) and JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) are two of the most common formats in modern development. CSV is simple and tabular; JSON is structured and native to web APIs. Converting between them is a daily task for developers, analysts, and data engineers.

Method 1 — Command Line

If you are comfortable with terminals, tools like csvkit (Python) or jq can convert CSV to JSON quickly and reproducibly.

# Using csvkit
csvjson data.csv > data.json

Pros: fast, scriptable, great for automation and large files. Cons: requires setup and CLI familiarity.

Method 2 — Spreadsheets (Excel / Google Sheets)

Open the CSV directly, clean up headers and types, and export to JSON using add‑ins or Apps Script. This is beginner‑friendly but not ideal for frequent or automated tasks.

Method 3 — Online Converter

The quickest way is a browser‑based tool. Try our converter — no installs, and everything runs locally for privacy.

Open CSV ↔ JSON Converter

Sample Conversion

# CSV
name,age,city
Alice,30,New York
Bob,25,London

# JSON
[
  { "name": "Alice", "age": 30, "city": "New York" },
  { "name": "Bob", "age": 25, "city": "London" }
]

Which Method Should You Choose?

Command line — best for developers and automation
Spreadsheets — easiest for non‑technical users
Online tools — fastest for one‑off conversions

Privacy & Security

Our converter processes files entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Files are never uploaded to a server.

Conclusion

Pick the method that fits your workflow. For quick tasks, use the online converter; for pipelines, the CLI shines. For lightweight editing, spreadsheets are fine.