How to get random value out of an array in PHP?

In PHP, you can get a random value from an array using the array_rand() function. This function returns a random key from the array, which you can then use to access the corresponding value.

Syntax

array_rand(array, number)

Parameters:

• array − The input array
• number − Optional. Number of random keys to return (default is 1)

Getting Single Random Value

Here's how to get one random value from an array ?

<?php
    $arr = array("p"=>"150", "q"=>"100", "r"=>"120", "s"=>"110", "t"=>"115", "u"=>"103", "v"=>"105", "w"=>"125");
    
    echo "Array values ...
";
    echo "Value 1 = " . $arr["p"] . "
";
    echo "Value 2 = " . $arr["q"] . "
";
    echo "Value 3 = " . $arr["r"] . "
";
    echo "Value 4 = " . $arr["s"] . "
";
    echo "Value 5 = " . $arr["t"] . "
";
    echo "Value 6 = " . $arr["u"] . "
";
    echo "Value 7 = " . $arr["v"] . "
";
    echo "Value 8 = " . $arr["w"] . "
";
    
    echo "Random value from array = " . $arr[array_rand($arr)];
?>

Array values ...
Value 1 = 150
Value 2 = 100
Value 3 = 120
Value 4 = 110
Value 5 = 115
Value 6 = 103
Value 7 = 105
Value 8 = 125
Random value from array = 110

Getting Multiple Random Values

You can also get multiple random values by specifying the number as the second parameter ?

<?php
    $arr = array("p"=>"150", "q"=>"100", "r"=>"120", "s"=>"110", "t"=>"115", "u"=>"103", "v"=>"105", "w"=>"125");
    
    echo "Array values ...
";
    echo "Value 1 = " . $arr["p"] . "
";
    echo "Value 2 = " . $arr["q"] . "
";
    echo "Value 3 = " . $arr["r"] . "
";
    echo "Value 4 = " . $arr["s"] . "
";
    echo "Value 5 = " . $arr["t"] . "
";
    echo "Value 6 = " . $arr["u"] . "
";
    echo "Value 7 = " . $arr["v"] . "
";
    echo "Value 8 = " . $arr["w"] . "
";
    
    $res = array_rand($arr, 2);
    echo "Random values from array...
";
    echo $arr[$res[0]] . " " . $arr[$res[1]];
?>

Array values ...
Value 1 = 150
Value 2 = 100
Value 3 = 120
Value 4 = 110
Value 5 = 115
Value 6 = 103
Value 7 = 105
Value 8 = 125
Random values from array...
150 115

Working with Indexed Arrays

For simple indexed arrays, the process is even more straightforward ?

<?php
    $fruits = array("apple", "banana", "orange", "grape", "mango");
    
    echo "All fruits: " . implode(", ", $fruits) . "
";
    echo "Random fruit: " . $fruits[array_rand($fruits)];
?>

All fruits: apple, banana, orange, grape, mango
Random fruit: orange

Conclusion

The array_rand() function is the most efficient way to get random values from PHP arrays. It returns random keys that you use to access the corresponding values, and supports both single and multiple random selections.