PHP array_change_key_case() Function

Quick summary: The PHP array_change_key_case() function returns an array with all keys from array changed to lowercase or uppercase.

PHP array_change_key_case() Syntax

array_change_key_case(array $array, int $case = CASE_LOWER): array
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PHP array_change_key_case() Basic examples

$array = ['Name' => 'John', 'AGE' => 30];
print_r(array_change_key_case($array, CASE_LOWER));
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Output:
Array ( [name] => John [age] => 30 )

Changes all keys to lowercase.

print_r(array_change_key_case($array, CASE_UPPER));
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Output:
Array ( [NAME] => John [AGE] => 30 )

Changes all keys to uppercase.

PHP array_change_key_case() Real-world usage

$headers = ['Content-Type'=>'json'];
$normalized = array_change_key_case($headers, CASE_LOWER);
echo $normalized['content-type'];
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Output:
json

Normalize header keys for consistent access.

PHP array_change_key_case() Edge cases

$array = ['A'=>1,'a'=>2];
print_r(array_change_key_case($array, CASE_LOWER));
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Output:
Array ( [a] => 2 )

Duplicate keys may overwrite each other.

PHP array_change_key_case() Common mistakes

Expecting nested arrays to change

Only top-level keys are affected.

Incorrect
array_change_key_case(['User'=>['Name'=>'John']], CASE_LOWER);
Correct
// manually apply recursively if needed

Function does not operate recursively.

PHP array_change_key_case() Frequently Asked Questions

What does array_change_key_case() do?

Changes all keys in an array to lower or upper case.

Default behavior?

Lowercase keys.

Use case?

Normalizing array keys.

Does it affect values?

No.

Handles nested arrays?

No.

Common mistake?

Expecting deep conversion.

Performance?

Fast.

Alternative?

Manual loop.

Return type?

Array.

Safe?

Yes.

Supports constants?

CASE_LOWER or CASE_UPPER.

Best practice?

Use for API normalization.

PHP array_change_key_case() Related PHP Functions