How to Get the First Element of an Array in PHP

Here, you have the opportunity of finding the most proper solutions on how to get the first element of an array in PHP. Let’s consider several options below.

Let’s see how to get the first element of an array when you know the particular index or the key of the array. In that case, you can retrieve the first element straightforwardly by running this code:

php get the first element of an array

<?php

// A sample indexed array
$cities = ["Milan", "London", "Paris"];
echo $cities[0]; // Outputs: Milan

// A sample associative array
$fruits = ["a" => "Banana", "b" => "Ball", "c" => "Dog"];
echo $fruits["a"];

// Outputs: Banana
?>

If you don’t know the exact key or index, you can use the functions demonstrated below.

Using array_values()

The <kbd class="highlighted">array_values()</kbd> function reindexes the array numerically and returns all values.

The example of using <kbd class="highlighted">array_values()</kbd> is demonstrated below:

php array_values()

<?php

$array = [3 => "Apple", 5 => "Ball", 11 => "Cat"];
echo array_values($array)[0]; // Outputs: Apple

?>

Using reset()

Another method is the PHP <kbd class="highlighted">reset()</kbd> function. It sets the internal array pointer to the first element and returns its value. If the array is empty, it returns FALSE.

Here is an example:

php reset() function

<?php

$arr = [4 => 'apple', 7 => 'banana', 13 => 'grapes'];
echo reset($arr); // Echoes "apple"

?>

Using current()

The <kbd class="highlighted">current()</kbd> function returns the value of the current array element without moving the internal pointer. It is a non-mutating alternative to reset().

<?php

$arr = [4 => 'apple', 7 => 'banana', 13 => 'grapes'];
echo current($arr); // Outputs: apple

?>

Using array_shift()

You can also use <kbd class="highlighted">array_shift()</kbd> to extract the first element.

php array_shift to get the first element of an array

<?php

$array = [4 => 'apple', 7 => 'banana', 13 => 'grapes'];
echo array_shift($array); // Outputs: apple

?>

Note: array_shift() modifies the original array by removing the first element.

Using array_pop()

You can also use <kbd class="highlighted">array_pop()</kbd> combined with <kbd class="highlighted">array_reverse()</kbd>:

php use array_pop to get the first element of an array

<?php

$array = [4 => 'apple', 7 => 'banana', 13 => 'grapes'];
$reversedArray = array_reverse($array);
echo array_pop($reversedArray);

?>

Note: This approach is inefficient for large arrays because array_reverse() creates a full copy. Prefer reset() or array_shift() for better performance.

Choose the method that best fits your project's needs.

How to find the first key

If you want to find the first key of the array instead of the value, use the <kbd class="highlighted">array_keys()</kbd> function.

Example of finding the first key of an array in PHP

<?php

$array = [4 => 'apple', 7 => 'banana', 13 => 'grapes'];
$keys = array_keys($array);
echo $keys[0];

?>

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