function random_array_element(&$a){ mt_srand((double)microtime()*1000000); // get all array keys: $k = array_keys($a); // find a random array key: $r = mt_rand(0, count($k)-1); $rk = $k[$r]; // return the random key (if exists): return isset($a[$rk]) ? $a[$rk] : ''; } //Example: // works with both array types: $array = array(1,2,3); // and also: $array = array('one' => 1, 'two' => 2, 'three' => 3); // example: print random_array_element($array);