To return JSON from a PHP function, use json_encode() to convert data, set the correct header, handle errors, and manage array/object outputs. 1. Use json_encode() to convert associative arrays or objects into a JSON string. 2. Set the Content-Type: application/json header when outputting JSON to ensure proper interpretation. 3. Handle encoding errors using json_last_error() and avoid unserializable data like resources. 4. Control whether JSON is returned as an object or array based on typecasting needs.
Returning JSON from a PHP function is straightforward once you understand how to structure and encode the data properly. The key steps involve preparing your data, using the right PHP functions to convert it into JSON format, and making sure headers are set correctly if you're sending it to a browser or API client.

1. Use json_encode()
to Convert Data to JSON
PHP provides a built-in function called json_encode()
that converts a PHP array (or object) into a JSON string. This is the core part of returning JSON from a function.

function get_data() { $data = [ 'name' => 'Alice', 'age' => 30, 'is_admin' => true ]; return json_encode($data); }
This function will return a string like:
{"name":"Alice","age":30,"is_admin":true}
Make sure your data types are compatible — for example, PHP booleans become lowercase JSON booleans (
true
/false
), andnull
becomesnull
.
2. Set the Correct Header When Outputting JSON
If you're sending this JSON to a browser or an API consumer (like a JavaScript frontend), you should set the content type header to application/json
. This tells the receiving end how to interpret the response.
header('Content-Type: application/json'); echo get_data();
If you're calling this function inside another script or API endpoint, make sure nothing else outputs text before or after the JSON — even a space or error message can break the JSON format.
3. Handle Errors Gracefully
Sometimes, your data might not be JSON-encodable — for example, if it contains circular references or special objects. You can check for errors using json_last_error()
:
function get_data_safe() { $data = ['important_data' => 'secret', 'resource' => fopen('file.txt', 'r')]; $json = json_encode($data); if ($json === false) { return json_encode(['error' => 'JSON encoding failed']); } return $json; }
Common issues:
- Resources like file handles or database connections can't be encoded.
- UTF-8 characters need proper handling — use
mb_convert_encoding()
orjson_encode($data, JSON_UNESCAPED_UNICODE)
if needed.
4. Return Associative Arrays or Objects Based on Need
By default, json_encode()
will turn associative arrays into JSON objects and indexed arrays into JSON arrays. If you want to force an object, pass an empty array as an object:
$data = []; echo json_encode((object)$data); // Outputs: {}
Or keep it as an array:
echo json_encode([]); // Outputs: []
This distinction matters when your frontend expects a specific structure.
That's basically all there is to it. It’s not complicated, but getting the details right — especially around headers and data formatting — makes all the difference.
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