SQL Playground
TutorialsPlayground
SQL FormatterSQL MinifierSyntax ValidatorJSON to SQLCSV to SQLSQL to JSONER Diagram Generator
Daily ChallengeInterviewsCheat SheetBlog

© 2026 SQL Playground. Built for developers.

PrivacyTermsAboutRSS Feed
SQL Playground
TutorialsPlayground
SQL FormatterSQL MinifierSyntax ValidatorJSON to SQLCSV to SQLSQL to JSONER Diagram Generator
Daily ChallengeInterviewsCheat SheetBlog

SQL to JSON Converter

Extract data from SQL INSERT statements and convert it to JSON format. Ideal for recovering data from dumps or migrating to NoSQL.

Configuration

SQL Input
JSON Output

Click "Convert" to generate JSON

How to Convert SQL to JSON Instantly

Extracting data from database dumps or SQL scripts doesn't have to be a manual nightmare. Our SQL to JSON Converter parses your INSERT statements and transforms the values into structured JSON objects. This is essential for developers migrating legacy data to NoSQL databases, building REST API responses, or simply inspecting data in a human-readable format.

Why Convert SQL to JSON?

Relational data (rows/columns) often needs to be consumed by modern web applications or document stores (like MongoDB or Firestore). Instead of writing custom scripts to parse your SQL dumps, this tool allows you to:

  • Recover Data: Extract usable keys and values from backup files.
  • Migrate DBs: Move data from MySQL/PostgreSQL to a JSON-based system.
  • Mock Data: Quickly generate JSON fixtures from existing database seeds.

Key Features

  • Universal Parsing: Works with standard SQL syntax (INSERT INTO table (...) VALUES ...).
  • Smart Type Detection: Distinguishes between numbers, booleans, and quoted strings to preserve data types in JSON.
  • Multi-Row Support: Parses multiple value tuples (1, 'a'), (2, 'b') into an array of objects.
  • Column Mapping: Matches values to the column names defined in your INSERT statement.
  • Pretty Printing: Formats the output JSON with indentation for maximum readability.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Prepare Your SQL: Ensure your input is a valid INSERT statement with specified columns (e.g., INSERT INTO users (id, name) VALUES...).
  2. Paste into Editor: Paste the SQL code into the input box on the left.
  3. Convert: The tool instantly processes the text. If your SQL is valid, the JSON appears on the right.
  4. Download: Click "Download" to save the result as a `.json` file for immediate use.

Technical Guide: Parsing Rules

We treat SQL as a structured language, not just string manipulation. Here is how we ensure accuracy:

  • String Literals: We support both single quotes 'value' and standard SQL escaping ('' for a single quote).
  • Numbers: Integers and decimals are parsed as native JSON numbers, preserving their precision.
  • Booleans: TRUE, FALSE, 1, and 0 are mapped to JSON booleans where appropriate.
  • NULLs: Explicit NULL keywords become null (not string "null").

Limitations & Edge Cases

While powerful, this tool is designed for standard data dumps. Be aware of:

  • Binary Data: hexadecimal 0x... values or binary blobs may not convert cleanly to JSON strings without encoding (e.g., Base64), which we do not currently perform.
  • Database Functions: If your insert contains functions like NOW() or UUID(), we treat them as strings because we cannot evaluate them without a running database.
  • Implicit Columns: We require the column list INSERT INTO t (col1, col2) to map values correctly. We cannot guess column names from values alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it support NULL?

Yes! SQL NULL values are converted to native JSON null.

What about complex SQL queries?

This tool is specifically designed for INSERT statements. It does not execute SELECT queries. If you have a SELECT result, export it as CSV and use our CSV tool (or convert CSV to JSON).

My SQL has implicit columns?

e.g., INSERT INTO users VALUES (1, 'Alice'). Currently, this is not supported because the tool doesn't know the column names. You must specify columns: INSERT INTO users (id, name)....

Is there a file size limit?

Since processing happens in your browser, the limit is your available RAM. Text files up to 10-20MB usually process instantly. Larger files may freeze the browser tab temporarily.

© 2026 SQL Playground. Built for developers.

PrivacyTermsAboutRSS Feed