Convert YAML to PHP online
Upload a YAML file and download it as PHP array. Translation keys, plurals and placeholders are preserved. Free, no account needed.
Pick the source format or let the converter detect it from the file.
Used when the source format holds one language per file. Also used as the source language for XLIFF output.
Choose the format you want to download.
A PHP file that returns an associative array of translations. Laravel, CakePHP and many custom PHP apps load language files in this form.
Need it the other way round? Convert PHP to YAML.
From: YAML
YAML translation files use indentation instead of braces, which makes them easy to read and diff. Ruby on Rails, Symfony and many static site generators keep their locale files in YAML.
Used by: Ruby on Rails, Symfony, Jekyll, Hugo. One language per file. Read the YAML format guide.
hello-world: Hello World!
nested:
translation:
key: Nested translation key
other:
translation:
key:
supported: Look this is also supported!To: PHP array
A PHP file that returns an associative array of translations. Laravel, CakePHP and many custom PHP apps load language files in this form.
Used by: Laravel, CakePHP, PHP. One language per file. Read the PHP format guide.
<?php
return [
"HELLO_WORLD" => "Hello world!",
"MY_TRANSLATION_KEY" => "This is my translation message!"
];
?>How to convert YAML to PHP
- Drop your .yml file into the converter above, or paste its content.
- Confirm the language of the file. It is guessed from the file name, for example
de.jsonormessages_pt-BR.properties. - Click Convert. You get one .php file per language.
- Preview the result, copy it or download the files.
What changes between YAML and PHP
- Keys, texts, plural forms and placeholders are mapped one to one. Comments and descriptions are kept when both formats support them.
Convert and translate in one place
If you need the PHP file in more languages, the fastest route is a free SimpleLocalize project: import the YAML file, add languages, run auto-translation with DeepL, Google Translate, OpenAI, Claude or Gemini, and download the result as PHP. The CLI does the same from CI with upload and download commands, so the conversion becomes part of your build. See also translating YAML files.
Frequently asked questions
Is the converter free?
Yes. There is no signup and no limit on the number of conversions beyond a few requests per second.
Are my files stored?
No. The file is parsed in memory, converted and returned in the same request. Nothing is written to disk or a database.
What about plurals and placeholders?
Plural forms are normalized to ICU message syntax and written back in the native form of PHP. Placeholders are kept, and Apple and Android specific syntax is translated between platforms. Read more in the pluralization guide.
Convert YAML to other formats
Translate your PHP files
- Import YAML or PHP files into a free project
- Auto-translate with DeepL, Google, OpenAI, Claude or Gemini
- Download in any of the supported formats or publish to the CDN