# PHP array_rand() Function

PHP Array Reference

## Example

Return an array of random keys:

<?php
$a=array("red","green","blue","yellow","brown");
$random_keys=array_rand($a,3);
echo $a[$random_keys[0]]."<br>";
echo $a[$random_keys[1]]."<br>";
echo $a[$random_keys[2]];
?>
Run example »

## Definition and Usage

The array_rand() function returns a random key from an array, or it returns an array of random keys if you specify that the function should return more than one key.

## Syntax

array_rand(array,number)

Parameter | Description
--- | ---
array | Required. Specifies an array
number | Optional. Specifies how many random keys to return

## Technical Details

Return Value: | Returns a random key from an array, or an array of random keys if you specify that the function should return more than one key
PHP Version: | 4+
Changelog: | As of PHP 5.2.10, the resulting array of keys is no longer shuffled As of PHP 4.2.0, the random number generator is seeded automatically

## More Examples

## Example 1

Return a random key from an array:

<?php
$a=array("a"=>"red","b"=>"green","c"=>"blue","d"=>"yellow");
print_r(array_rand($a,1));
?>
Run example »

## Example 2

Return an array of random string keys:

<?php
$a=array("a"=>"red","b"=>"green","c"=>"blue","d"=>"yellow");
print_r(array_rand($a,2));
?>
Run example »

PHP Array Reference

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