JSON to PHP Array Converter

About the JSON to PHP Array

Convert JSON into PHP array code with short array syntax, properly escaped strings and nested arrays.

Key features

• Modern short array syntax [] with => notation
• Properly escaped single-quoted strings
• Nested arrays indented for readability
• true/false/null mapped to PHP literals
• Output wrapped in a ready-to-use <?php file
• Download as data.php

Convert JSON into PHP code

PHP projects are full of array-based configuration: Laravel's config/*.php, Symfony bundles, WordPress plugin settings, database seeders, test fixtures and translation files. When your data starts life as JSON, from an API, a design tool or another service, converting it to a PHP array literal saves tedious manual rewriting.

Example

{
  "app": "XUtilHub",
  "debug": false,
  "features": ["json", "pdf"],
  "mail": { "host": "smtp.example.com", "port": 587 }
}

<?php

$data = [
    'app' => 'XUtilHub',
    'debug' => false,
    'features' => [
        'json',
        'pdf',
    ],
    'mail' => [
        'host' => 'smtp.example.com',
        'port' => 587,
    ],
];

Mapping

Laravel config example

Save the output as config/services_extra.php, replace $data = with return, and access values with config('services_extra.mail.host').

json_decode vs. a PHP array literal

Related tools

Generating Java instead? See JSON to Java. Need a string literal for PHP? JSON to String has a PHP mode.

How to use the JSON to PHP Array

1. Paste your data into the input box, upload a file, or click Sample to try it out.
2. Adjust the options above the editor if you need to (indentation, delimiter, and so on).
3. The PHP Array appears instantly in the output panel. Any errors are shown with their line and column.
4. Click Copy to copy the result, or Download to save it as a file.