PHP Syntax Checker
Paste your PHP code and instantly validate it for syntax errors. Get exact line numbers, error descriptions, and code context. Powered by php -l — the same linter PHP itself uses.
What is a PHP Syntax Checker?
A PHP syntax checker (also called a PHP linter) analyzes your PHP source code for syntax errors without actually executing it. It catches issues like missing semicolons, unmatched braces, unexpected tokens, and malformed expressions — before they cause runtime failures on your server.
This tool uses php -l — the official PHP command-line linter — to validate your code against the same engine that runs your production server. Results include precise line numbers so you can jump directly to the problem.
Common PHP Syntax Errors
Missing Semicolons
PHP statements must end with a semicolon (;). Forgetting one is the most common PHP syntax error, especially when converting from other languages.
Unmatched Braces
Every opening brace { must have a matching closing brace }. Deep nesting makes these easy to miss.
Unexpected Tokens
Often caused by a typo, a missing operator, or using a reserved word as a variable name.
Parse Errors in String Interpolation
Complex expressions inside double-quoted strings or heredoc blocks can trigger parse errors if not correctly wrapped in {}.
Frequently Asked Questions
php -l, and immediately deleted after the check. Nothing is stored, logged, or transmitted to a third party.php -l catches parse errors and fatal compile-time errors, but it does not execute the code, so runtime logic errors, undefined variables, or incorrect business logic will not be reported.