Output with echo

Learn to print text and variables to the screen with the echo statement.

What is echo?

echo is a language construct in PHP used to print output. It can print text, numbers or HTML.

The simplest form: echo "Hello"; — this prints Hello to the screen.

echo is not a function but a language construct; therefore it does not require parentheses. You can write echo("Hello"); but the parentheses are optional.

Every statement ends with a semicolon ;.

echo versus print

PHP has two common ways to produce output: echo and print. Both work similarly but have small differences.

echo returns no value and can take multiple parameters separated by commas: echo "a", "b";.

print always returns 1 and takes a single parameter. It can be used inside an expression.

Generally echo is preferred because it is slightly faster and more flexible.

Exercise Print Hello World

Write a PHP block. Use echo to print "Hello World"; add \n at the end of the line.

Show example solution

Write echo with "Hello World" in double quotes and add \n at the end.
Example solution:
<?php
// print the message
echo "Hello World\n";

Test yourself

What does echo "Hello"; do?
```
<?php echo "Hello"; ?>
```
- Saves the word Hello
- Prints Hello to the screen
- Hides Hello
- Opens the Hello file
Show answer

Prints Hello to the screen — Correct! echo prints Hello to the screen.

Print text with echo

<?php echo "____"; ?>

Show answer

<?php echo "Hello World"; ?>

echo and print features

echo

Returns no value
print

Returns 1
echo "a", "b"

Prints two values

Next lesson: Comments

We Are Enhancing Your Experience

Cookie Preferences

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Analytical Cookies