What are the most useful json_encode() flags?

JSON_PRETTY_PRINT — indented output for debugging. JSON_UNESCAPED_UNICODE — keeps UTF-8 characters as-is instead of escaping to \uXXXX. JSON_UNESCAPED_SLASHES — keeps forward slashes as-is (useful for URLs). JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR — throws a JsonException instead of returning false on error. Combine with bitwise OR: json_encode($data, JSON_PRETTY_PRINT | JSON_UNESCAPED_UNICODE).

Convert PHP to JSON — Generate Mock Data & Snippets

Q: How do I convert a PHP object to JSON?

json_encode() works with objects too: $json = json_encode($object). For class instances, json_encode() serializes public properties by default. Implement JsonSerializable and define jsonSerialize() to control exactly which properties are included in the JSON output.

Q: How do I return JSON from a Laravel controller?

Use return response()->json($data) for a JsonResponse, or return new JsonResource($model) for an API Resource. In Laravel, you can also return Eloquent models directly from controllers — they are automatically serialized to JSON. Select the Framework Patterns mode for complete Laravel, Symfony and WordPress examples.

PHP to JSON — 3 modes 100% client-side

PHP class input

Instances

Formatting

Ready

Three ways to convert PHP to JSON

Each mode targets a different workflow — pick the one that fits.

Mode 1 — Mock JSON

Paste a PHP class with constructor promotion or typed properties and get a realistic JSON object. Useful for Postman collections, PHPUnit fixtures and API documentation — without running a PHP server or instantiating the class.

Input

public int $id,
public string $name,
public bool $active

Output

{"id":1,"name":"Alice",
 "active":true}

Mode 2 — json_encode() snippets

Get complete PHP code for every json_encode() use case — basic, pretty-print, all useful flags combined, file output, HTTP response headers and the JsonSerializable interface. Each snippet is copy-paste ready with error handling.

Flags output

$json = json_encode($data,
  JSON_PRETTY_PRINT |
  JSON_UNESCAPED_UNICODE |
  JSON_UNESCAPED_SLASHES |
  JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR);

Mode 3 — Framework patterns

Ready-to-use JSON serialization patterns for Laravel (JsonResponse, API Resource, Eloquent toJson), Symfony (JsonResponse, Serializer component), WordPress (wp_send_json, ACF fields to JSON) and vanilla PHP.

Laravel

return response()->json([
  'data' => UserResource
    ::collection($users),
  'meta' => ['total' => $n]
]);

json_encode() flags reference

The most useful JSON_* constants and when to use each.

Flag	Effect	When to use
`JSON_PRETTY_PRINT`	Indented, human-readable output	Debugging, log files, config file generation
`JSON_UNESCAPED_UNICODE`	UTF-8 chars kept as-is (not \uXXXX)	Any API returning non-ASCII text — names, cities, emoji
`JSON_UNESCAPED_SLASHES`	Forward slashes not escaped	URLs and file paths in JSON output
`JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR`	Throws JsonException instead of returning false	Always — makes errors impossible to ignore silently
`JSON_NUMERIC_CHECK`	Strings that look like numbers become numbers	Only when you have numeric strings from a database
`JSON_FORCE_OBJECT`	Arrays encoded as objects {}	When an empty array must be {} not [] in the response

When do you need PHP to JSON?

Laravel REST APIs

Laravel API Resources transform Eloquent models to JSON responses with full control over the output structure. Mode 3 gives you the complete API Resource class, the controller that uses it, and the JsonResponse pattern — ready to drop into a Laravel project.

PHPUnit test fixtures

PHPUnit integration tests that hit API endpoints need to assert against specific JSON structures. Mode 1 generates a realistic JSON object from your PHP class — paste it as the expected response body in assertJson() or create it as a static fixture file for data providers.

WordPress ACF to JSON

WordPress sites using Advanced Custom Fields often need to expose ACF field values as JSON — for headless WordPress setups, REST API extensions or JavaScript-powered themes. Mode 3 gives you the WordPress-specific patterns for wp_send_json() and ACF field serialization.

Config and export files

PHP applications often need to export configuration arrays or database results as JSON files — for data exchange, backup scripts or feeding front-end applications. Mode 2 gives you the file_put_contents() + json_encode() pattern with proper UTF-8 flags and error handling.

PHP parsed in your
browser. No server needed.

The mock JSON mode uses a property-level regex parser — no need to run PHP or install anything. The parser handles constructor promotion (PHP 8), traditional typed properties and untyped properties. The snippets are generated from your selection — no API call, no server round-trip.

The framework patterns cover the actual recommended patterns from Laravel, Symfony and WordPress documentation — not generic examples. The Laravel API Resource, Symfony Serializer and WordPress wp_send_json() patterns are production-ready and follow each framework's conventions.

Constructor promotion parser

Parses PHP 8 constructor promotion syntax — public int $name, — and traditional property declarations with typed hints.

All json_encode() flags

Every useful JSON_* constant covered with explanations — combined into the real-world pattern most PHP developers actually need.

3 frameworks + vanilla

Laravel, Symfony, WordPress and vanilla PHP — the four most common PHP environments where JSON serialization matters.

47 tools, always free

No file size limits, no watermarks, no account. Funded by non-intrusive display advertising only.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about converting PHP to JSON.

How do I convert a PHP array to JSON?

Use json_encode(): $json = json_encode($array). For pretty output: json_encode($array, JSON_PRETTY_PRINT). Always use JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR to catch encoding errors. Combine flags with |: json_encode($array, JSON_PRETTY_PRINT | JSON_UNESCAPED_UNICODE | JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR).

How do I convert a PHP object to JSON?

json_encode() works with objects — it serializes public properties: $json = json_encode($object). For full control over the output, implement the JsonSerializable interface and define a jsonSerialize() method that returns the array you want encoded. Select the JsonSerializable scenario in Mode 2 for the complete pattern.

How do I return JSON from a Laravel controller?

Use return response()->json($data) for a JsonResponse. For API endpoints, create an API Resource: php artisan make:resource UserResource, then return new UserResource($user). For collections: return UserResource::collection($users). Laravel also serializes Eloquent models returned directly from controllers.

What json_encode() flags should I always use?

At minimum: JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR — makes encoding failures throw a JsonException instead of silently returning false. For APIs: also add JSON_UNESCAPED_UNICODE (keeps UTF-8 characters readable) and JSON_UNESCAPED_SLASHES (keeps URLs clean). Combine: json_encode($data, JSON_UNESCAPED_UNICODE | JSON_UNESCAPED_SLASHES | JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR).

Is the PHP to JSON converter free?

Yes, completely free. No file size limits, no account required. JSONshift is funded by non-intrusive display advertising.

Convert PHP to JSONMock data, snippetsor framework guide.

PHP parsed in yourbrowser. No server needed.

Convert PHP to JSON
Mock data, snippets
or framework guide.

PHP parsed in your
browser. No server needed.