JSON to PHP Array

About this tool

Config files, seeders and fixtures often start life as JSON but need to live in PHP. This converter turns any JSON document into valid PHP array code — modern short syntax or classic array(), with 2-space, 4-space or tab indentation.

Strings are safely single-quoted and escaped, so the output drops straight into your project.

How to use it

1. Paste JSON into the input.
2. Pick short [] or long array() syntax.
3. Choose indentation and whether to include $data =.
4. Copy or download as a .php file.

Useful ways to apply it

• Converting a JSON config into a PHP config file.
• Building Laravel/Symfony seed data from API responses.
• Turning fixture JSON into PHPUnit test arrays.
• Migrating settings from a JS project to a PHP project.

Worked example

{"site":"CodeNimbleTools","features":["fast","private"],"active":true}

$data = ['site' => 'CodeNimbleTools', 'features' => ['fast', 'private'], 'active' => true];

Edge cases to check

• JSON numbers do not encode PHP-specific integer/float range intent.
• Object keys and string values need PHP string escaping.
• A generated PHP literal does not validate an external payload before runtime use.

Known limitations

The converter maps JSON values to PHP array syntax; it does not create typed DTOs, classes, validators or application-specific hydration logic.