RIS is a tagged plain-text citation format. Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science and most journal websites can export references as .ris files. Each line starts with a two-letter tag such as TY (type), AU (author) or TI (title), and each reference ends with ER.

How are RIS tags named in the output?

Common tags get readable names: TY → type, AU → author, TI/T1 → title, JO/JF → journal, PY → year, DA → date, VL → volume, IS → issue, SP/EP → start_page/end_page, AB → abstract, KW → keywords, DO → doi, UR → url, PB → publisher, SN → isbn_issn. Other tags keep their code in lowercase. Repeated tags, such as several AU lines, are joined with "; ".

How do I convert RIS to JSON?

Upload your RIS file above, click Convert, and download the JSON result instantly. No account or software needed.

Is converting RIS to JSON free?

Yes. It is free and unlimited for files up to 5 MB, with no account required. Larger files get 3 free conversions per day; beyond that, credit packs start at $3 and credits never expire.

Are my files stored or shared?

No. Files are processed in server memory and deleted immediately after conversion. File contents are never written to disk or retained.

Do I need to install anything?

No software installation needed. OmniConvert runs in the browser — just upload, convert, and download.

OmniConvert

Convert RIS to JSON

Free

Parse a RIS citation file into a JSON array

Drop a file or click to browse

Accepted: .ris

or paste below

Free and unlimited for files up to 5 MB. No account needed.

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About this conversion

Parse a RIS citation file into a JSON array. This converter processes your RIS file server-side and returns a JSON file instantly — no account, no software installation, and no file storage. Files are deleted from our servers immediately after conversion.

Learn more: RIS file format explained

How to convert RIS to JSON

1. Upload — drag your RIS file onto the converter above, or click to browse.
2. Convert — press Convert. Processing happens on secure servers in seconds.
3. Download — your JSON file downloads automatically. No sign-up required.

Convert RIS to JSON from the command line

curl --fail-with-body \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN" \
  -F "file=@input.ris" \
  -F "conversionId=ris-to-json" \
  https://www.omniconvert.cloud/api/convert -o output.json

The API needs a token from a credit pack, and each API conversion uses one credit. Converting on this page stays free. API documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a RIS file?: RIS is a tagged plain-text citation format. Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science and most journal websites can export references as .ris files. Each line starts with a two-letter tag such as TY (type), AU (author) or TI (title), and each reference ends with ER.
How are RIS tags named in the output?: Common tags get readable names: TY → type, AU → author, TI/T1 → title, JO/JF → journal, PY → year, DA → date, VL → volume, IS → issue, SP/EP → start_page/end_page, AB → abstract, KW → keywords, DO → doi, UR → url, PB → publisher, SN → isbn_issn. Other tags keep their code in lowercase. Repeated tags, such as several AU lines, are joined with "; ".
How do I convert RIS to JSON?: Upload your RIS file above, click Convert, and download the JSON result instantly. No account or software needed.
Is converting RIS to JSON free?: Yes. It is free and unlimited for files up to 5 MB, with no account required. Larger files get 3 free conversions per day; beyond that, credit packs start at $3 and credits never expire.
Are my files stored or shared?: No. Files are processed in server memory and deleted immediately after conversion. File contents are never written to disk or retained.
Do I need to install anything?: No software installation needed. OmniConvert runs in the browser — just upload, convert, and download.

No account needed · Credits never expire · Share your token link across devices