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File conversion

Convert YML to YAML

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Aug 2, 2026
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Is it possible to convert YML to YAML?
Yes - YML converts to YAML.

.yml and .yaml are two names for the same format, so the only step is renaming the file. No conversion tool is needed and nothing inside the file changes.

Also to YAML: PROPERTIES · JSON

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert YML to YAML?

Some tools, linters, or CI platforms require the .yaml extension by convention even though .yml is equally valid. Docker Compose, GitHub Actions, and GitLab CI all use this format under one or both extensions. Renaming is the complete solution when a target system insists on the longer form. See the .YAML format page for a full technical overview.

How to convert YML to YAML

File Explorer BUILT-IN

Enable file extensions under View > Show > File name extensions, then right-click the file and rename it from .yml to .yaml.

Finder BUILT-IN

Click the file and press Return to rename it, then change the extension from .yml to .yaml and confirm.

Command line - PowerShell CLI

Run Rename-Item config.yml config.yaml to rename a single file.

Command line - mv CLI

Run mv config.yml config.yaml on macOS or Linux to rename the file instantly.

About these formats

.YML YAML Ain't Markup Language file

A .yml file is a plain-text configuration or data file written in YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language). Open it with any code editor - VS Code with the YAML extension is the best choice on any…

Open .YML details →
.YAML YAML Ain't Markup Language file

A .yaml (or .yml) file is plain-text structured data or configuration written in YAML, used for CI/CD pipelines, Docker Compose, Kubernetes manifests, and app config. Open it in any code…

Open .YAML details →

Quality & what to watch

  • Both extensions hold identical content - no data, indentation, or comments are changed by the rename.
  • yml became common through widely-copied filenames like docker-compose.yml and .travis.yml; .yaml is preferred in many newer projects.
  • Renaming does not fix YAML syntax errors - tabs for indentation and unquoted boolean-like values (yes, no, on, off) cause parse errors under either extension.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to edit anything inside the file when switching from .yml to .yaml?
No. File content is identical under both extensions; any YAML parser reads the renamed file exactly as before.
Why do some projects use .yml and others .yaml?
Historical convention - .yml predates long-extension support on Windows and stuck in popular filenames; new projects often prefer .yaml because it spells out the format name in full.
Can a YAML parser tell the difference between a .yml and a .yaml file?
No. Parsers read file content, not the extension; the extension is only a hint to the OS and editors.
What if my tool still rejects the file after renaming?
The problem is YAML syntax, not the extension - paste the content into a YAML validator like yamllint.com to find errors, but avoid pasting files that contain secrets or credentials.