Convert PHP array to JSON free in your browser. Paste your PHP array on the left, press Convert, and copy clean JSON on the right. No sign-up, no uploads.
Converter
Paste PHP array below, press Convert, and copy the JSON output.
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How the PHP array becomes JSON
A small recursive parser walks the array() or [] structure token by token, honoring 'key' => value pairs, nested arrays, quoted strings with escapes, numbers, booleans and null. Each top-level associative array becomes one row, and the JSON serializer then renders those rows in the target format with correct escaping for JSON.
Getting the best results
Press Load sample first to see the exact PHP array shape the converter expects, then replace it with your own data. If a conversion errors, the message names the exact line or token at fault, so fixing the input is usually a one-minute job. For repeated jobs, bookmark the page; your data never leaves the browser.
Both array(...) and [...] syntax work, with 'key' => value pairs, nested arrays, quoted strings, numbers, booleans and null. You can include the opening <?php tag and a $variable = assignment, they are stripped automatically. A list of associative arrays converts cleanest; plain lists become single-column rows.
How is the JSON output formatted?
As a pretty-printed array of objects with two-space indentation, one object per row and null for missing cells. It validates as strict JSON, so you can paste it into APIs, config files or JavaScript with JSON.parse and it just works.
What happens to nested PHP arrays?
Nested arrays are preserved as nested structures in the output where the format allows it (JSON, PHP, XML), and rendered as compact JSON text in flat formats like JSON. Scalar lists become rows with a single value column.
Is there a size limit for PHP array input?
No hard limit, but everything runs in your browser tab, so tens of thousands of rows convert in seconds while millions of rows may slow the page. For very large PHP array files, split them into smaller chunks and convert each separately.
Is my PHP array data private, and who uses this?
Yes. The conversion runs 100% in your browser; nothing is uploaded to any server. Developers, analysts and DBAs use it to move PHP array data into JSON for migrations, reports and config work without installing anything.