PHP Array to JSON
Paste an array from a PHP config file and get JSON you can use straight away.
Your result will appear hereThis reads literal values only. If the array contains a variable, a PHP constant or a function call, it says so rather than guessing at the value.
Converted entirely in your browser — nothing is sent to a server.
About this tool
PHP array to JSON reads an array written in PHP source and converts it to usable JSON, without running PHP.
The common job is moving a config across languages — a list of constants or a mapping that lives in a PHP file and now has to work in JavaScript, Python, or as plain JSON. Retyping it line by line is slow and error-prone.
The parser handles what real files contain: array(…) and the short bracket form, => keys, nested arrays, all three comment styles, and trailing commas. It also follows PHP's single-quote rule correctly — backslashes are not interpreted — so 'C:\temp' stays a Windows path instead of becoming a tab character.
What it deliberately does not do is guess. If the array contains a variable, a PHP constant or a function call, it says it cannot read that value, because producing a plausible-looking wrong answer is worse than producing none.
How to use
- 1Copy the array out of your PHP config file
- 2Paste it in — both array() and the short bracket syntax work
- 3The JSON appears immediately, already formatted
- 4Copy or download it
Frequently asked questions
- What syntax is supported?
- Both array(…) and short brackets, => keys, nested arrays, strings in either quote style, numbers, true/false/null, and trailing commas.
- Why can’t it handle a variable in my code?
- A variable’s value only exists at runtime, and this tool does not execute PHP. It says so plainly rather than guessing — a result that looks right but is wrong is worse than no result.
- Why doesn’t C:\\temp in single quotes become a tab?
- Because PHP single-quoted strings do not interpret backslashes except for \\\\ and \\\x27. This tool follows the same rule, so Windows paths survive intact.
- Can I paste code with comments in it?
- Yes — //, # and /* */ are all skipped, so you can paste a whole config file section as-is.
- How is this different from running json_encode?
- The result is the same for ordinary data, but you do not need PHP installed. Useful when all you have is the source file, or you are on a machine without PHP.