Simple way to get random image or any file from folder using PHP, get random image from directory and display it, PHP example code and script download, and demo.

How To Get Random Image From Folder Using PHP

Using scandir() function we will get all files in our folder, and using count() function we will get count of files in our folder, and using rand() function we will display random image or any random file.

Demo

Random Image.

Get Random Image Function

Using Qassim_Random_File() function we will get random image from folder, and you can use it to get any “random” file:

<?php

/*
    Random File Function
    Written By: Qassim Hassan
    Website: wp-time.com
    Twitter: @QQQHZ
*/

function Qassim_Random_File($folder_path = null){

    if( !empty($folder_path) ){ // if the folder path is not empty
        $files_array = scandir($folder_path);
        $count = count($files_array);

        if( $count > 2 ){ // if has files in the folder
            $minus = $count - 1;
            $random = rand(2, $minus);
            $random_file = $files_array[$random]; // random file, result will be for example: image.png
            $file_link = $folder_path . "/" . $random_file; // file link, result will be for example: your-folder-path/image.png
            return '<a href="'.$file_link.'" target="_blank" title="'.$random_file.'"><img src="'.$file_link.'" alt="'.$random_file.'"></a>';
        }

        else{
            return "The folder is empty!";
        }
    }

    else{
        return "Please enter folder path!";
    }

}

?>

Usage:

<?php
    echo Qassim_Random_File("your-folder-name"); // display random image!
?>

Change “your-folder-name” to your folder name.

Note

You can use Qassim_Random_File() function to get any random file, for example to get random MP3, just replace this line:

return '<a href="'.$file_link.'" target="_blank" title="'.$random_file.'"><img src="'.$file_link.'" alt="'.$random_file.'"></a>';

To this line:

return '<audio controls><source src="'.$file_link.'" type="audio/mpeg"></audio>';

Now upload MP3 files to your folder! Enjoy.

Download

You can download demo script.