Laravel Check if Array is empty

Stefan Bogdanescu

Founder & Senior Architect · 2026-06-29

Laravel Company

Checking the emptiness of an array in PHP/Laravel is a common programming task. Your code may not be working due to various reasons, such as unclear syntax or the misuse of array functions. This guide aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of Laravel array functions and best practices for checking if an array is empty.

The Problem Code

php
@foreach($restaurantmenue as $daily)
                    @foreach($daily->articles as $menue)
                     @if(!empty($menue->title))
                       <div class="card card-horizontal">
                         ...
                     @else
                        No Articles for Today
                     @endif
                    @endforeach
                @endforeach

The Correct Syntax and Best Practices

1. Check array emptiness with Laravel's built-in `count` method:
php
@if(count($array))
                  // Array is not empty, perform actions
               @else
                  // Array is empty, display alternate content
               @endif
2. Use Laravel's collection functions to check array emptiness:
php
@if(collect($array)->isNotEmpty())
                  // Collection has elements
               @elseif(collect($array)->isEmpty())
                  // Collection is empty
               @else
                  // Other condition if the above are not met (empty vs. non-collection)
               @endif
3. Check array emptiness using the `count_values` function:
php
@if(count(array_count_values($array)) == 0)
                  // Array is empty
               @else
                  // Array has elements
               @endif
4. Utilize Laravel's built-in functions: `has` and `whereHas` for checking array relationships:
php
@if($model->restaurantmenue()->exists())
                  // Relationship exists
               @else
                  // No related records found
               @endif

Common Mistakes and Solutions

1. Incorrect syntax: Ensure you use the proper control flow constructs, such as `if` statements, to check your conditions correctly.
php
@if(count($array))
                  // Array is not empty
               @else
                  // Array is empty
               @endif
2. Using the wrong array function: Double-check the documentation and examples for the appropriate Laravel functions to use, such as `collect`, `array_count_values`, or `has`/`whereHas` for specific use cases. 3. Unclear logic: Make sure your if/else statements are well defined for different array situations, like checking an array is empty vs not existing. In this case, the code should be like -
php
@if($model->restaurantmenue()->exists())
                  @foreach($restaurantmenue as $daily)
                    @foreach($daily->articles as $menue)
                     @if(!empty($menue->title))
                       <div class="card card-horizontal">
                         ...
                      @else
                        No Articles for Today
                     @endif
                    @endforeach
                @endforeach
               @else
                  // Display default content or message if no articles are available
               @endif
4. Incorrect looping structure: Adjust your loops to match the array structure and ensure you're iterating through each element correctly, as in this case checking for `$daily->articles` instead of directly accessing `$restaurantmenue`.

Conclusion

By following these best practices and fixing your common mistakes, your Laravel code will be more robust and efficient at handling array situations. Remember to always use the appropriate functions and structures for specific scenarios while ensuring clear and concise logic. This approach guarantees a better understanding of your application's data and leads to cleaner, easier-to-maintain code.