PHP mt_rand() Function

The PHP mt_rand() function returns a pseudo-random integer via the Mersenne Twister Random Number Generator. If it is called without optional min, max arguments then it returns a pseudo-random integer between 0 and mt_getrandmax(). When min and max arguments are used, then it returns a pseudo-random integer between min and max (inclusive).

This function is a replacement for the older rand() function as it produces random numbers four times faster than the average libc rand() provides.

Syntax

mt_rand(min, max)

Parameters

Return Value

Returns a pseudo random value between min (or 0) and max (or mt_getrandmax(), inclusive).

Example:

In the example below, mt_rand() function is used to generate pseudo-random values.

<?php
//generate 10 pseudo-random value
//between 0 and mt_getrandmax()
for ($i = 1; $i <= 10; $i++) {
  echo mt_rand()."\n";
}
?>

The output of the above code will be:

891050976
1454312675
526089933
1105988187
196288407
1304475315
174115646
815557523
1131992279
1643596901

Example:

Consider one more example where optional parameters are used to generate pseudo-random values in a given range.

<?php
//generate 10 pseudo-random value
//between 50 and 100
for ($i = 1; $i <= 10; $i++) {
  echo mt_rand(50, 100)."\n";
}
?>

The output of the above code will be:

55
59
91
82
69
99
95
67
91
98