How to Convert Object to Array in PHP (5 Easy Methods, 2026)

To convert object to array in PHP, you can use built-in functions like type casting, get_object_vars(), or json_decode() depending on how simple or nested your data is. Since each method behaves differently, the right choice depends on your specific use case.

That’s exactly what this guide covers, 5 practical techniques with code examples, along with the common errors developers run into along the way.

TL;DR Summary

• There are several ways to convert object to array in PHP, and the right one depends on how simple or nested your data is.
• Type casting (array) $object is the fastest option for simple, non-nested data.
• get_object_vars() returns only public properties as an array, keeping private data protected.
• json_encode() combined with json_decode() is the go-to method for deep or nested structures.
• A manual foreach loop gives you full control over keys and values while building the array yourself.
• A custom recursive function is the most reusable way to convert object to array, handling both simple and deeply nested objects automatically.

What Are Objects and Arrays in PHP?

Objects:

In PHP, an object is a type of data structure that represents an instance of a class. It allows programmers to categorize data variables (properties) and functions; as a result, modeling real-world entities becomes easier and more straightforward. 

Objects are generally considered an ideal choice for organizing complex datasets because, while creating objects, we can assign unique values to each object while sharing the same structure defined by the same class.

Arrays:

An Array, on the other hand, is a dynamic data structure that provides flexibility to store multiple data values under a single variable. Data are stored in these variables by index or as key-value pairs (where the key represents the index position of the data value).

The primary purpose of utilizing arrays is to perform various data manipulation tasks, such as sorting, filtering, searching, merging, mapping, and many more.

Also Read: PHP Array Length

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Why Convert Object to Array?

Converting an object into an array in PHP is crucial because arrays are more flexible and easier to use for various programming tasks. It lets developers quickly access and modify data using PHP’s built-in functions.

In addition, converting objects into arrays gives you more control and efficiency in processing data, which makes your PHP code cleaner, faster, and easier to maintain. 

This conversion of variables is necessary, especially in practical situations where data needs to be manipulated, analyzed, and presented to the end users based on their dynamic interactions (event triggering).

Real-World Example

In an e-commerce website, you know how vital the product catalog section is. To display that section with essential details such as descriptions, user ratings and reviews, high-quality images, and brief video elements, APIs are integrated into the code to fetch information from the server database. 

When the data is fetched, the API returns the product data as an object. Now, for displaying those products in a structured fashion, features such as product sorting, category filters, and popular items recommendations need to be added. 

To enable this feature, converting the data objects into arrays is essential (through functions like array_filter(), usort(), array_map(), etc.), as it improves the application’s performance and speed.

Also Read: Is PHP Dead in 2026?

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Techniques to Convert an Object to an Array in PHP

The following are the most effective conversion techniques:

1. Type Casting (array)$object

It is the simplest and fastest method for converting an object to an array in PHP. In this method, you just have to place the array variable before the object, and the PHP language will interpret it automatically and transform it into an associative array.

This is the ideal way to convert an object when it’s small and not deeply nested.

How to Execute: First, take your object and place (array) before it — PHP will automatically convert all its properties into an associative array.

(Code)

{

Input:

<?php

$person = (object) [

    ‘name’ => ‘John’,

    ‘age’ => 25

];

$array = (array) $person;

print_r($array);

?>

______________________________________

Output:

Array ( [name] => John [age] => 25 )

}

2. Using get_object_vars()

It is a function that is utilized for returning all the public properties of an object in the form of an associative array.

It is beneficial only when the data are stored in public variables rather than in private ones. Sensitive properties won’t be displayed in the output; in a way, they are protected.

How to Execute: You call the get_object_vars() function and pass your object inside it — this function then collects all the object’s public properties and returns them as an array.

(Code)

{

Input:

<?php

$person = (object) [

    ‘name’ => ‘John’,

    ‘age’ => 25

];

$array = get_object_vars($person);

print_r($array);

?>

______________________________________

Output:

Array ( [name] => John [age] => 25 )

}

3. Using json_encode() and json_decode()

For nested and complex objects, this method is the most effective way to convert an object into a JSON string and then decode it into an array variable.

Because it supports deep conversion, it’s often used for handling data from APIs or JSON responses.     

How to Execute: First, convert the object into a JSON string using json_encode(), then immediately decode it back into an array with json_decode() by setting the second parameter to true.

(Code)

{

Input:

<?php

$person = (object) [

    ‘name’ => ‘John’,

    ‘details’ => (object) [

        ‘age’ => 25,

        ‘city’ => ‘New York’

    ]

];

$array = json_decode(json_encode($person), true);

print_r($array);

?>

______________________________________

Output:

Array ( [name] => John [details] => Array ( [age] => 25 [city] => New York ) )

}

4. Using a Loop (Manual Conversion)

In this conversion technique, you have to manually go through each property inside the object using a foreach loop and store it in an empty array. 

This gives you complete control over the conversion. Here, you can easily skip, rename, or modify the keys while the conversion process is taking place.

How to Execute: You loop through the object’s properties using foreach and, for each key-value pair, store them in a new array — manually building your array step by step.

(Code)

{

Input:

<?php

$person = (object) [

    ‘name’ => ‘John’,

    ‘age’ => 25

];

$array = [];

foreach ($person as $key => $value) {

    $array[$key] = $value;

}

print_r($array);

?>

______________________________________

Output:

Array ( [name] => John [age] => 25 )

}

5. Using a Custom Function (object_to_array())

Designing a custom function tailored to your problem objective is the most flexible and reusable approach.

Utilizing a custom function can help you convert both simple and nested object types into arrays. And you can implement it anywhere in your program without the tedious process of repeating or rewriting code.

How to Execute: You create a reusable function that checks if the value is an object or array, and then recursively converts everything — including nested objects — into arrays automatically.

(Code)

{

Input:

<?php

function object_to_array($obj) {

    if (is_object($obj)) {

        $obj = get_object_vars($obj);

    }

    if (is_array($obj)) {

        return array_map(‘object_to_array’, $obj);

    }

    return $obj;

}

$person = (object) [

    ‘name’ => ‘John’,

    ‘details’ => (object) [

        ‘age’ => 25,

        ‘city’ => ‘New York’

    ]

];

$array = object_to_array($person);

print_r($array);

?>

______________________________________

Output

Array ( [name] => John [details] => Array ( [age] => 25 [city] => New York ) )

}

PHP Object to Array: Methods Compared

Here are the most effective ways to convert object to array in PHP, along with when to use each one:

Common Errors When Converting Object to Array in PHP

A few mistakes come up often when developers convert object to array in PHP, especially with private properties or nested data. Here’s what to watch out for:

• Mangled keys with type casting: Casting (array) $object doesn’t skip private or protected properties cleanly. It includes them, but with strange key prefixes that make them difficult to access normally.

class Person {
    private $name = "John";
}
$array = (array) new Person();
print_r($array); 
// Key shows up as "\0Person\0name" instead of "name"

• Private properties skipped silently: get_object_vars() only returns public properties when called from outside the class. Private and protected properties simply won’t show up, and PHP won’t warn you.
• Missing data with json_encode(): Since json_encode() only serializes public properties by default, private or protected values quietly disappear when you convert object to array this way. It’s easy to miss unless you check the output carefully.
• Nested objects stay unconverted: A simple (array) cast only converts the top level. Any objects nested inside remain objects unless you use a recursive approach, like combining json_decode() with json_encode(), or writing a custom function.
• Null results from invalid data: If the object holds data PHP can’t encode, such as circular references, json_encode() fails silently and json_decode() returns null instead of a proper array.

Note: For objects with private properties or deep nesting, a custom recursive function or the json_encode()/json_decode() combination is a safer way to convert object to array without silently losing data.

Conclusion

Ultimately, converting an object to an array in PHP is crucial for ensuring code adaptability across different situations. From handling API data and processing JSON to managing template rendering and configuring file parsing, each task becomes simpler after this conversion. 

We covered practical techniques for converting an object to an array, along with code snippet examples. I hope this blog helped guide you through all aspects of this conversion. To explore more interesting topics, visit HCL GUVI’s comprehensive and insightful blog page to satisfy your curiosity.

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