PHP Sorting Arrays

The elements in an array can be sorted in alphabetical or numerical order, descending or ascending.

PHP - Sort Functions For Arrays

In this chapter, we will go through the following PHP array sort functions:

• sort() - sort arrays in ascending order
• rsort() - sort arrays in descending order
• asort() - sort associative arrays in ascending order, according to the value
• ksort() - sort associative arrays in ascending order, according to the key
• arsort() - sort associative arrays in descending order, according to the value
• krsort() - sort associative arrays in descending order, according to the key

Sort Array in Ascending Order - sort()

The following example sorts the elements of the $cars array in ascending alphabetical order:

$cars = array("Volvo", "BMW", "Toyota");
sort($cars);

The following example sorts the elements of the $numbers array in ascending numerical order:

$numbers = array(4, 6, 2, 22, 11);
sort($numbers);

Sort Array in Descending Order - rsort()

The following example sorts the elements of the $cars array in descending alphabetical order:

$cars = array("Volvo", "BMW", "Toyota");
rsort($cars);

The following example sorts the elements of the $numbers array in descending numerical order:

$numbers = array(4, 6, 2, 22, 11);
rsort($numbers);

Sort Array (Ascending Order), According to Value - asort()

The following example sorts an associative array in ascending order, according to the value:

$age = array("Peter"=>"35", "Ben"=>"37", "Joe"=>"43");
asort($age);

Sort Array (Ascending Order), According to Key - ksort()

The following example sorts an associative array in ascending order, according to the key:

$age = array("Peter"=>"35", "Ben"=>"37", "Joe"=>"43");
ksort($age);

Sort Array (Descending Order), According to Value - arsort()

The following example sorts an associative array in descending order, according to the value:

$age = array("Peter"=>"35", "Ben"=>"37", "Joe"=>"43");
arsort($age);

Sort Array (Descending Order), According to Key - krsort()

The following example sorts an associative array in descending order, according to the key:

$age = array("Peter"=>"35", "Ben"=>"37", "Joe"=>"43");
krsort($age);

Complete PHP Array Reference

For a complete reference of all array functions, go to our complete PHP Array Reference.

The reference contains a brief description, and examples of use, for each function!