PHP Return Values (Step-by-Step Guide with Examples)
In PHP, the return statement is used to send a value back from a function to the caller. This makes functions more powerful, as they can process data and return results instead of just printing output.
1. What Is a Return Value in PHP?
A return value is the output a function sends back when it is called. Instead of printing inside the function, you can store the result in a variable for further processing.
Basic Syntax of return Statement
function functionName() {
return value;
}
2. Returning a Single Value in PHP
Example: Returning an Integer
<?php
function add($a, $b) {
return $a + $b;
}
$result = add(5, 10); // Store the return value
echo "Sum: $result";
?>
Output:
➡ The function returns the sum instead of printing it inside the function.
3. Returning a String from a PHP Function
Example: Returning a String
<?php
function greet($name) {
return "Hello, $name!";
}
$message = greet("Alice");
echo $message;
?>
Output:
➡ The function returns a custom greeting message.
4. Returning a Boolean Value
Example: Checking Even or Odd
<?php
function isEven($num) {
return $num % 2 == 0;
}
var_dump(isEven(10)); // true
var_dump(isEven(7)); // false
?>
Output:
➡ This function returns true or false, useful in conditional logic.
5. Returning an Array from a Function
Example: Returning Multiple Values Using an Array
<?php
function getUserInfo() {
return ["Alice", 25, "Developer"];
}
$user = getUserInfo();
echo "Name: $user[0], Age: $user[1], Job: $user[2]";
?>
Output:
➡ Arrays allow returning multiple values efficiently.
6. Returning an Object from a PHP Function
Example: Returning an Object
<?php
class Car {
public $brand;
public function __construct($brand) {
$this->brand = $brand;
}
}
function getCar() {
return new Car("Toyota");
}
$myCar = getCar();
echo "Car Brand: " . $myCar->brand;
?>
Output:
➡ Objects allow complex data structures to be returned.
7. Returning Early Using return
A function stops execution when it encounters a return statement.
Example: Early Return in a Function
<?php
function checkAge($age) {
if ($age < 18) {
return "Access Denied";
}
return "Access Granted";
}
echo checkAge(15); // Output: Access Denied
echo checkAge(21); // Output: Access Granted
?>
➡ The function exits early if age is under 18.
8. Returning Multiple Values Using list() (PHP 7.1+)
Example: Destructuring an Array
<?php
function getCoordinates() {
return [40.7128, -74.0060]; // Latitude, Longitude
}
list($lat, $long) = getCoordinates();
echo "Latitude: $lat, Longitude: $long";
?>
Output:
➡ list() extracts multiple return values from an array.
9. Using Type Declarations for Return Values (PHP 7+)
PHP allows return type declarations for better validation.
Example: Enforcing an Integer Return Type
<?php
function multiply(int $a, int $b): int {
return $a * $b;
}
echo multiply(4, 5);
?>
Output:
➡ The function must return an integer, ensuring data consistency.
10. Returning null in PHP
A function can explicitly return null if no value is found.
Example: Handling Missing Data
<?php
function findUser($id) {
if ($id != 1) {
return null; // User not found
}
return "John Doe";
}
$user = findUser(2);
echo $user ?? "User not found"; // Use Null Coalescing Operator
?>
Output:
➡ If null is returned, the default message is displayed.
11. Best Practices for Returning Values in PHP
✅ Use return values instead of echoing inside the function
✅ Use type hints (int, string, array, object) for reliability
✅ Return early (return inside if conditions) for better readability
✅ Use arrays or objects for multiple return values
✅ Avoid modifying global variables inside functions