PHP array_combine: How to Merge Arrays as Key and Value

The array_combine function in PHP creates a new array with one array for keys and another for values.

It needs both arrays to have the same size and order, or the function will not work.

You can use it when you want to connect two arrays in a single structure.
The first array sets the keys, and the second array sets the values.

Understand the array_combine in PHP

The function creates an array from two arrays, where the first sets the keys and the second sets the values.

Here is the syntax:

array_combine(array $keys, array $values): array

The function takes two arrays and returns one array.

Here are the reasons to use it:

• You may want to build a new array from two lists.
• You can use names as keys and numbers as values.
• You can also map data from one source to another.

For a quick example:

$names = ["Tom", "Sara", "Mike"];
$ages = [25, 30, 22];
$result = array_combine($names, $ages);
print_r($result);

This example shows that the keys are names and the values are ages.
Hence, the new array looks like:

Array
(
    [Tom] => 25
    [Sara] => 30
    [Mike] => 22
)

Examples of array_combine with Different Arrays in PHP

Create Product and Price Array:

$products = ["Book", "Pen", "Bag"];
$prices = [10, 2, 25];
$result = array_combine($products, $prices);
print_r($result);

This builds an array where each product has a price value. Here is the output:

Array
(
    [Book] => 10
    [Pen] => 2
    [Bag] => 25
)

Map Country and Code:

$countries = ["USA", "UK", "India"];
$codes = ["US", "GB", "IN"];
$result = array_combine($countries, $codes);
print_r($result);

This connects each country with its code in one array. The output:

Array
(
    [USA] => US
    [UK] => GB
    [India] => IN
)

Match Subject and Marks:

$subjects = ["Math", "English", "Science"];
$marks = [85, 90, 78];
$result = array_combine($subjects, $marks);
print_r($result);

This shows each subject with its mark in the array. Here is the output:

Array
(
    [Math] => 85
    [English] => 90
    [Science] => 78
)

Combine Days and Numbers:

$days = ["Mon", "Tue", "Wed"];
$numbers = [1, 2, 3];
$result = array_combine($days, $numbers);
print_r($result);

This creates an array where days of the week link with numbers. The output:

Array
(
    [Mon] => 1
    [Tue] => 2
    [Wed] => 3
)

Wrapping Up

You learned what array_combine does and how it works with two arrays.

Here is a quick recap:

• The function takes one array for keys and one for values.
  Both arrays must have the same length. The function will fail if they don’t have the same length.
• You can use it for names and ages or products and prices. Also, use it with any two lists.

FAQs

$keys = array("a", "b", "c");
$values = array(1, 2, 3);
$result = array_combine($keys, $values);
print_r($result);

$keys = array("x", "y");
$values = array(10);
$result = array_combine($keys, $values);

$ids = array(101, 102, 103);
$names = array("Ali", "Sara", "Omar");
$result = array_combine($ids, $names);
print_r($result);

Similar Reads