Escape sequences

Learn how to write special characters inside strings with \n, \t, \\ and \".

Escape sequences in double quotes

In PHP, certain sequences inside a double-quoted string have a special meaning: \n is a newline, \t is a tab, \\ is a backslash, \" is a double quote. These are called escape sequences.

For example, echo "Line1\nLine2"; prints two lines. If you want a double quote inside a double-quoted string, you must write \"; otherwise the string closes early. In single quotes only \\ and \' work; sequences like \n are treated as plain text.

Single quotes have limited escapes

Inside a single-quoted string, only two escapes work: \\ (backslash) and \' (single quote). Sequences like \n, \t, \" are treated as plain text in single quotes; they appear on screen exactly as typed.

That is why 'Line1\nLine2' shows the \n characters on screen. To get a real newline, use double quotes. Single quotes are preferred for fixed file paths because no backslash escaping is needed.

Exercise Print two lines with \n

Assign "First line" to $line1. Assign "Second line" to $line2. Then print them on two lines with echo $line1 . "\n" . $line2;.

Show example solution

Assign both strings, then join them with \n.
Example solution:
<?php
$line1 = "First line";
$line2 = "Second line";
echo $line1 . "\n" . $line2;

Test yourself

What does echo "A\nB"; print?
```
echo "A\nB";
```
- Two lines: A and B
- AnB
- A B
- A\nB
Show answer

Two lines: A and B — Correct. \n is a newline; A and B appear on separate lines.

Escape a double quote

$msg = "Alex said: ____Hi";

Show answer

$msg = "Alex said: \"Hi";

Match each escape sequence to its effect

\n

Newline
\t

Tab
\\

Backslash
\"

Double quote

Next lesson: Summary - String basics

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