root@generate-random:~/numbers/php$ _

Generate Random Numbers in PHP

Complete code tutorial with examples and best practices

PHP

[ Code Example - Quick Summary ]

Language: PHP

What: Generate cryptographically secure random numbers in PHP using the <code>random_int()</code> function. This modern approach provides better security than older methods like <code>rand()</code> or <code>mt_rand()</code>.

Try it: Use our interactive Numbers generator or integrate this code into your PHP application.

Generate cryptographically secure random numbers in PHP using the random_int() function. This modern approach provides better security than older methods like rand() or mt_rand(). Looking for other languages? Check our code examples in JavaScript , Python , Java , C# , C++ , Ruby and Go or use our interactive web generator.

PHP Code Example

<?php
// Generate a single random number between 1 and 100
$randomNumber = random_int(1, 100);
echo $randomNumber;  // Example output: 42

// Generate multiple random numbers
$numbers = [];
for ($i = 0; $i < 10; $i++) {
    $numbers[] = random_int(1, 100);
}
print_r($numbers);
// Example output: [23, 7, 91, 45, 12, 68, 3, 89, 54, 31]

// Generate random float/decimal
$randomFloat = random_int(0, 10000) / 100;  // 0.00 to 100.00
echo number_format($randomFloat, 2);  // Example: 42.17

[EXPLANATION]

The random_int() function generates cryptographically secure random integers. It takes two parameters: the minimum and maximum values (inclusive). For random floats, divide a large random integer by a power of 10 to get the desired precision.

Expected Output

42
Array
(
    [0] => 23
    [1] => 7
    [2] => 91
    [3] => 45
    [4] => 12
    [5] => 68
    [6] => 3
    [7] => 89
    [8] => 54
    [9] => 31
)
42.17