How to Select Random Row From Table in PHP MySQL?

Hi Dev,

This tutorial is focused on how to select random row from table in php mysql. This post will give you simple example of return random rows from a mysql table using php. this example will help you mysql select random records. you will learn display a random row from a database in php with mysql. follow bellow step for mysql get random row with code examples.

To select a random row, use the rand() with LIMIT from MySQL.

Example :

index.php

$sql = CREATE TABLE employee (
    id int NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
    Name varchar(20),
    Age int,
    PRIMARY KEY(Id)
    );

Insert some records in the table using insert command :

$sql = INSERT INTO employee(Name, Age) VALUES('David', 21);
$sql = INSERT INTO employee(Name, Age) VALUES('Uday', 20);
$sql = INSERT INTO employee(Name, Age) VALUES('Sam', 26);

Display all records from the table using select statement :

select * from employee;

Output:

+----+----------+-------+
| Id |  Name    |  Age  |
+----+----------+-------+
|  1 |  David   |  21   |
|  2 |  Uday    |  20   | 
|  3 |  Sam     |  26   |
+----+----------+-------+

Here is the query to select a random row from the table using rand(). The query is as follows:

select * from employee order by rand() limit 1;

Output:

+----+------+------+
| Id | Name | Age  |
+----+------+------+
| 2  | Uday | 20   |
+----+------+------+

I hope it could help you...