PHP array_find: How to Locate Array Values with Examples

PHP array_find was released in PHP 8.4 to locate a value inside an array and returns the first match.

Understand the array_find Function in PHP

The array_find function checks values in an array and returns the first match.

The syntax looks like this:

array_find(array $array, callable $callback): mixed

• $array holds the list of values.
• $callback runs on each value.
• It returns the first value that matches.

This function checks values one by one. It stops once it finds a match. You use this function to pick one value that meets a rule.

Here is an example:

$nums = [2, 4, 6, 7, 8];
$result = array_find($nums, fn($n) => $n > 5);
echo $result;

This returns 6 since it is the first value above five.

Use the array_find with Associative Arrays in PHP

You can use array_find with associative arrays. It checks values but keeps keys safe.

For example:

$users = [
    "john" => 25,
    "sara" => 30,
    "mike" => 18
];
$result = array_find($users, fn($age) => $age < 20);
echo $result;

This returns 18 since Mike’s age matches first.

Here is another example:

$products = [
    "pen" => 2,
    "book" => 5,
    "bag" => 15
];
$result = array_find($products, fn($price) => $price > 10);
echo $result;

This returns 15 since it is the first price above ten.

The Difference between array_find and array_filter

The array_find returns the first value that matches, while the array_filter returns all values that match.

Here is a table that shows you the key differences:

Use array_find to get one value. Use array_filter to collect many values.

Examples of the array_find in PHP

Locate the first even number:

$nums = [3, 7, 10, 12, 15];
$result = array_find($nums, fn($n) => $n % 2 === 0);
echo $result;

This example checks each value and stops once it finds the first even number. The output is 10 since it is the first even value in the list.

Find the first user with the admin role:

$users = [
    ["name" => "alex", "role" => "editor"],
    ["name" => "sara", "role" => "admin"],
    ["name" => "john", "role" => "admin"]
];
$result = array_find($users, fn($u) => $u["role"] === "admin");
echo $result["name"];

This example returns sara since her role is the first match for the admin. The function checks the order and picks the first valid user role.

Match the first long word in a list:

$words = ["pen", "book", "dictionary", "bag"];
$result = array_find($words, fn($w) => strlen($w) > 5);
echo $result;

This example checks string length and picks the first match. It prints dictionary since this is the first word with more than five letters.

Detect the first product with a discount above 30%:

$discounts = [
    "pen" => 5,
    "bag" => 20,
    "phone" => 40,
    "tablet" => 25
];
$result = array_find($discounts, fn($d) => $d > 30);
echo $result;

This example looks at values in order and finds the first high discount. It prints 40 since the phone has the first discount above thirty percent.

Wrapping Up

You learned how array_find locates a single value and how it works with associative arrays. You also saw how it differs from array_filter.

Here is a quick recap:

• array_find returns the first match.
• It works with simple and associative arrays.
• array_filter returns all matches.
• Use the right function for your case.

FAQs

$result = array_find([1, 2, 3, 4], function($n) {
    return $n > 2;
});
echo $result; // Output: 3

$array = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];

$find = array_find($array, fn($n) => $n > 3);
echo $find; // Output: 4

$filter = array_filter($array, fn($n) => $n > 3);
print_r($filter); // Output: [4, 5]

$users = [
    ["id" => 1, "name" => "Ali"],
    ["id" => 2, "name" => "Sara"],
    ["id" => 3, "name" => "Omar"]
];

$user = array_find($users, function($u) {
    return $u["name"] === "Sara";
});
print_r($user); 
// Output: Array ( [id] => 2 [name] => Sara )

function array_find($array, $callback) {
    foreach ($array as $key => $value) {
        if ($callback($value, $key)) {
            return $value;
        }
    }
    return null;
}

$numbers = [10, 20, 30, 40];
$result = array_find($numbers, fn($n) => $n === 30);
echo $result; // Output: 30

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