Need to convert PHP to JSON online without writing a throwaway script? This free PHP to JSON converter turns a PHP array into valid JSON in one click, and it works the other way too: paste JSON and get a clean JSON array to PHP array back, ready for your project. It can also read PHP serialized data (the string produced by serialize()) and show it as readable JSON, which is handy when you are debugging WordPress options, post meta or WooCommerce data stored in the database.

What Is a PHP to JSON Converter?

A PHP to JSON converter is a tool that changes data written in PHP syntax into JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), the text format most APIs, JavaScript front ends and modern databases expect. PHP stores structured data in arrays and objects. JSON stores the same ideas as arrays, objects, strings, numbers, booleans and null. Because the two formats look similar but follow different rules (=> versus :, single quotes versus double quotes, trailing commas allowed in PHP but not in JSON), converting by hand is slow and easy to get wrong.

Inside PHP, the built-in function json_encode() does this job. An online converter gives you the same result in your browser, so you can check an array, share a sample with a teammate or prepare a test payload without opening an editor or running a script. The reverse direction, JSON to array in PHP, relies on json_decode(), and the tool prints the matching PHP array so you can paste it straight into your code.

How to Convert PHP Array to JSON Online

You do not need to install anything. Follow these steps:

1. Paste your input. Add a PHP array (short [] or classic array() syntax), a JSON string, or a PHP serialized string into the input box.
2. Choose the direction and output style. Select PHP to JSON or JSON to PHP, then pick pretty (indented) or compact (minified) output.
3. Convert and copy. Review the result, copy it or download it, then drop it into your script, API client or config file.

Here is a typical example. This PHP array:

$user = [
    'name'   => 'Mina',
    'age'    => 28,
    'active' => true,
    'skills' => ['PHP', 'WordPress', 'WooCommerce'],
];

becomes this JSON:

{
    "name": "Mina",
    "age": 28,
    "active": true,
    "skills": ["PHP", "WordPress", "WooCommerce"]
}

Notice that the associative array turned into a JSON object, while the indexed skills list stayed an array. That is the core rule of PHP array to JSON conversion, and the table further down shows every type mapping.

JSON to PHP Array: How It Works

Going the other direction is just as common. You may receive a JSON response from a REST API, a payment gateway or a WordPress endpoint and want a PHP array you can read, edit or use as test data. Paste the JSON and the tool prints the array in PHP syntax. A JSON object to PHP conversion becomes an associative array with key => value pairs, and a JSON array becomes a plain indexed array.

In your own code, the same result comes from one function call:

$json  = '{"name":"Mina","age":28}';
$array = json_decode($json, true); // true = associative array
echo $array['name']; // Mina

PHP Serialized Data to JSON Converter

PHP’s serialize() function stores arrays and objects as a compact string. WordPress uses it widely: theme options, widget settings, plugin settings and a lot of WooCommerce post meta live in the database in serialized form. A raw serialized value is hard to read:

a:2:{s:4:"name";s:4:"Mina";s:3:"age";i:28;}

Run it through the PHP serialized data to JSON converter and you get:

{
    "name": "Mina",
    "age": 28
}

This makes it simple to inspect options exported from wp_options, compare two settings exports, or migrate configuration to a system that expects JSON. If you work with a database export, you can then tidy the output with our JSON formatter and beautifier.

Parse JSON in PHP: json_decode() Explained

To parse JSON in PHP, use json_decode() and always check for errors. A single stray comma makes the whole string invalid.

$data = json_decode($json, true);

if (json_last_error() !== JSON_ERROR_NONE) {
    echo 'JSON error: ' . json_last_error_msg();
}

On PHP 7.3 and later you can also pass JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR and catch a JsonException, which keeps error handling in one place. For the full syntax rules, see the official RFC 8259 JSON specification or the overview at json.org.

When you want the other direction with nice formatting, combine flags:

echo json_encode($user, JSON_PRETTY_PRINT | JSON_UNESCAPED_SLASHES | JSON_UNESCAPED_UNICODE);

How PHP Types Map to JSON

Benefits of Using a PHP to JSON Converter

Wondering why developers keep a converter bookmarked when json_encode() exists? These are the practical reasons:

Real-world use cases

• Sending PHP data to a JavaScript front end or a mobile app through an API.
• Reading WordPress options and WooCommerce meta stored as serialized strings.
• Turning an API response into a PHP array for unit tests and fixtures.
• Migrating configuration between PHP projects and JSON based systems.
• Documenting code with clean, validated JSON examples.

Common PHP to JSON Conversion Mistakes

• Trailing commas. PHP accepts [1, 2, 3,], JSON does not. A good converter removes them; json_decode() returns NULL if you leave one in a JSON string.
• Single quotes. JSON strings must use double quotes. Quotes inside values need careful escaping.
• Expecting {} from an empty array. PHP encodes [] as []. Cast to (object) or use new stdClass when you need an empty object.
• Invalid UTF-8. json_encode() fails on broken character encoding. Clean the string first or use JSON_INVALID_UTF8_SUBSTITUTE.
• Very large integers. Numbers above PHP_INT_MAX decode as floats and can lose precision.
• Pasting PHP code with variables or functions. A converter reads data, not logic. Remove $var = prefixes, function calls and comments before converting if you see an error.

After converting, tidy the result with the JSON minify and beautify formatter, and if your PHP source is messy, run it through the PHP beautifier first.

Related Developer Tools

Working with several data formats? These free tools pair well with the PHP to JSON converter:

• XML to JSON Converter
  Move legacy XML feeds into JSON.
• JSON Formatter
  Beautify, minify and validate output.
• PHP Formatter
  Clean up PHP before converting.

Browse the full collection on the Athemeart free tools page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to try it? Scroll up, paste your PHP array, JSON or serialized string, and convert it in one click.