How to Post JSON Data Using cURL in PHP

In this article, you will learn how to post JSON data using cURL in PHP. cURL command is usually used to transfer data to and from a server.

Post JSON Data Using cURL

In order to post JSON data using cURL, you can use the curl_init() method, curl_setopt() method, curl_exec() method, and curl_close() method.

$data = array(
    "name" => "John",
    "email" => "john@test.com"
);
 
// Convert the PHP array into a JSON format
$payload = json_encode($data);
 
// Initialise new cURL session
$ch = curl_init('https://api.creativecommons.engineering/v1/auth_tokens/register');

// Return result of POST request
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);

// Get information about last transfer
curl_setopt($ch, CURLINFO_HEADER_OUT, true);

// Use POST request
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, true);

// Set payload for POST request
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, $payload);
 
// Set HTTP Header for POST request 
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_HTTPHEADER, array(
    'Content-Type: application/json',
    'Content-Length: ' . strlen($payload))
);
 
// Execute a cURL session
$result = curl_exec($ch);
 
// Close cURL session
curl_close($ch);

Note: The curl_init() method functions by initialising a new cURL session. The curl_setopt() method functions by setting options for a cURL session handle. The curl_exec() method functions by executing a cURL session. The curl_close() method functions by closing a cURL session to free up resources.