Convert YAML to PHP Array Online - Free, Local & Instant
Instant YAML (.yaml) to PHP Array (.php) converter. 100% client-side processing in your browser RAM — zero file uploads, full privacy, drag & drop or paste raw text.
Technical Comparison: YAML vs PHP Array
Data & Dev Config| Specification | YAML (Source) | PHP Array (Target) |
|---|---|---|
| Full Specification | YAML Ain't Markup Language | PHP Short-Syntax Associative Array Literal |
| File Extension & MIME | .yaml (application/x-yaml) | .php (text/plain) |
| Data Typing Model | Rich dynamic typing (scalars, sequences, mappings) | Associative & indexed arrays with => fat-arrow syntax |
| Structure & Hierarchy | Indentation-based nested hierarchy | Deeply nested PHP return array config files |
| Comments Support | Supported (# inline and block comments) | Supported (// and /* */) |
| Primary Ecosystem | Kubernetes manifests, Docker Compose, GitHub Actions, Ansible | Laravel config/*.php, WordPress plugins, Symfony & Composer projects |
YAML to PHP Array — Before & After Example
- id: 1
name: Alice Johnson
email: alice@example.com
role: admin
active: true
score: 98.5
address:
city: Berlin
country: DE
- id: 2
name: Bob Smith
email: bob@example.com
role: editor
active: false
score: 87
address:
city: Austin
country: US
- id: 3
name: Chiara Rossi
email: chiara@example.com
role: viewer
active: true
score: 91.25
address:
city: Milan
country: IT
<?php
$data = [
[
'id' => 1,
'name' => 'Alice Johnson',
'email' => 'alice@example.com',
'role' => 'admin',
'active' => true,
'score' => 98.5,
'address' => [
'city' => 'Berlin',
'country' => 'DE',
],
],
[
'id' => 2,
'name' => 'Bob Smith',
'email' => 'bob@example.com',
'role' => 'editor',
'active' => false,
'score' => 87,
'address' => [
'city' => 'Austin',
'country' => 'US',
],
],
[
'id' => 3,
'name' => 'Chiara Rossi',
'email' => 'chiara@example.com',
'role' => 'viewer',
'active' => true,
'score' => 91.25,
'address' => [
'city' => 'Milan',
'country' => 'IT',
],
],
];
return $data;
Frequently Asked Questions: YAML to PHP Array
How do I convert YAML to PHP Array online without uploading sensitive files? ▾
Paste your YAML data or drag and drop a .yaml file into the converter above. ZeroUpload parses YAML and serializes PHP Array 100% inside your browser RAM using local JavaScript—no bytes are ever sent to an external server.
How are nested objects or tabular columns mapped between YAML and PHP Array? ▾
When converting hierarchical structures (Indentation-based nested hierarchy) and tabular or config formats (Deeply nested PHP return array config files), our engine automatically flattens or unflattens dot-separated keys (such as address.city) and preserves numbers, booleans, arrays, and null values.
Is this YAML to PHP Array converter free for commercial and production config files? ▾
Yes. The tool is completely free, requires no account or API key, and works offline once loaded. Because execution happens in local memory, it is safe for proprietary YAML, database exports, and production secrets.
Can I convert PHP Array back to YAML? ▾
Yes! Click the "Swap (PHP Array → YAML)" button at the top of the workspace or use the reverse converter link at the bottom of this page for bidirectional conversion.