---
title: ".yaml file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .yaml file is a YAML Data File. An indentation-based configuration format, readable but unforgiving about whitespace. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/yaml/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .yaml files

**.yaml file: YAML Data File**

An indentation-based configuration format, readable but unforgiving about whitespace.

## What opens a .yaml file

- **Windows:** Visual Studio Code, Notepad++, Notepad (built in)
- **macOS:** Visual Studio Code, TextEdit (built in), BBEdit
- **Linux:** Visual Studio Code, Text Editor (built in), Vim
- **In a browser:** YAML Lint

## What a .yaml file is

YAML expresses the same structures as JSON with far less punctuation, which is why Kubernetes, Docker Compose, GitHub Actions and Ansible all use it. Indentation is significant and tabs are forbidden, so a single misplaced space breaks the file — the reason most YAML errors are formatting errors. The .yml spelling is identical, just shorter.

## Converting it

A .yaml file is commonly converted to .json, .toml, .xml or .txt. It is a plain text format, so any text editor can open and edit it directly.

## Details

- **Extension:** .yaml
- **Full name:** YAML Data File
- **Category:** Data
- **MIME type:** application/yaml
- **Created by:** YAML Language Development Team
- **Format:** Plain text

## Common questions

### How do I open a .yaml file?

On Windows use Visual Studio Code; on macOS use Visual Studio Code; on Linux use Visual Studio Code. An indentation-based configuration format, readable but unforgiving about whitespace.

### What is a .yaml file?

YAML Data File. YAML expresses the same structures as JSON with far less punctuation, which is why Kubernetes, Docker Compose, GitHub Actions and Ansible all use it. Indentation is significant and tabs are forbidden, so a single misplaced space breaks the file — the reason most YAML errors are formatting errors.

### Can I convert a .yaml file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .json, .toml, .xml or .txt, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.csv — Comma-Separated Values](https://atoneplace.net/file/csv/)
- [.json — JavaScript Object Notation](https://atoneplace.net/file/json/)
- [.xml — Extensible Markup Language](https://atoneplace.net/file/xml/)
- [.log — Log File](https://atoneplace.net/file/log/)
- [.torrent — BitTorrent Metainfo File](https://atoneplace.net/file/torrent/)
- [.dat — Generic Data File](https://atoneplace.net/file/dat/)
- [.vcf — vCard Contact File](https://atoneplace.net/file/vcf/)
- [.sql — SQL Script](https://atoneplace.net/file/sql/)
- [.ics — iCalendar Event](https://atoneplace.net/file/ics/)
- [.sqlite — SQLite Database](https://atoneplace.net/file/sqlite/)
- [.db — Generic Database File](https://atoneplace.net/file/db/)
- [.bin — Binary File](https://atoneplace.net/file/bin/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)