Ahmad Yani was born in Jenar, Purworejo , Central Java on 19 June 1922 to the Wongsoredjo family. In 1927, Ahmad Yani moved to Batavia with his family. In Batavia, Ahmad Yani enter the primary and secondary school. In 1940, Ahmad Yani left high school to undergo compulsory military service in the Army of the Dutch East Indies colonial government.