PHP MySQL Search Using LIKE – Complete Beginner Tutorial

Search functionality is one of the most important features of dynamic websites. Whether it’s a user search, product search, or blog search, the MySQL LIKE operator allows flexible and partial matching of data.

This tutorial explains how to search data in MySQL using PHP and LIKE, with real examples and output.

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What Is LIKE Operator in MySQL?

The LIKE operator is used in SQL to search for a specified pattern in a column.

Basic syntax:

SELECT * FROM table_name WHERE column LIKE 'pattern';

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Why Use LIKE for Searching Data?

The LIKE operator helps to:

• Perform partial searches
• Match keywords anywhere in text
• Build search boxes
• Improve user experience

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Understanding Wildcards in LIKE Operator

Two wildcards are commonly used:

• % → Matches any number of characters
• _ → Matches exactly one character

Example:

LIKE '%php%'

This matches any value containing “php”.

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Prerequisites for PHP MySQL Search

Before implementing search, ensure you have:

• PHP installed
• MySQL database
• A working database connection
• A table with searchable data

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Sample MySQL Table Used for Search

CREATE TABLE users (
    id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
    name VARCHAR(100),
    email VARCHAR(100)
);

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PHP MySQL Database Connection Code

<?php
$conn = mysqli_connect("localhost", "root", "", "testdb");

if (!$conn) {
    die("Database connection failed");
}
?>

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Basic Search Using LIKE in PHP MySQL

<?php
$search = "Rahul";

$query = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE name LIKE '%$search%'";
$result = mysqli_query($conn, $query);

while ($row = mysqli_fetch_assoc($result)) {
    echo $row['name'] . "<br>";
}
?>

Output:

Rahul

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Dynamic Search Using HTML Form and LIKE

HTML Search Form

<form method="get">
    <input type="text" name="keyword" placeholder="Search name">
    <input type="submit" value="Search">
</form>

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PHP Search Script

<?php
if (isset($_GET['keyword'])) {
    $keyword = $_GET['keyword'];

    $query = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE name LIKE '%$keyword%'";
    $result = mysqli_query($conn, $query);

    while ($row = mysqli_fetch_assoc($result)) {
        echo $row['name'] . "<br>";
    }
}
?>

Output (Keyword: ra):

Rahul
Ravi

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Search Multiple Columns Using LIKE

<?php
$keyword = "gmail";

$query = "SELECT * FROM users
          WHERE name LIKE '%$keyword%'
          OR email LIKE '%$keyword%'";

$result = mysqli_query($conn, $query);

while ($row = mysqli_fetch_assoc($result)) {
    echo $row['email'] . "<br>";
}
?>

Output:

rahul@gmail.com
amit@gmail.com

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Search Data Starting or Ending With Keyword

LIKE 'A%'   -- starts with A
LIKE '%a'   -- ends with a

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Example in PHP

<?php
$query = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE name LIKE 'A%'";
$result = mysqli_query($conn, $query);

while ($row = mysqli_fetch_assoc($result)) {
    echo $row['name'] . "<br>";
}
?>

Output:

Amit
Anil

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Secure Search Using Prepared Statements

Prepared statements protect against SQL injection.

<?php
$stmt = mysqli_prepare($conn,
    "SELECT * FROM users WHERE name LIKE ?");
$search = "%ra%";
mysqli_stmt_bind_param($stmt, "s", $search);

mysqli_stmt_execute($stmt);
$result = mysqli_stmt_get_result($stmt);

while ($row = mysqli_fetch_assoc($result)) {
    echo $row['name'] . "<br>";
}
?>

Output:

Rahul
Ravi

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Search with Pagination Using LIKE

LIKE is often combined with pagination.

SELECT * FROM users
WHERE name LIKE '%php%'
LIMIT $offset, $records_per_page;

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Common Mistakes When Using LIKE in PHP MySQL

• Not escaping user input
• Forgetting wildcards
• Using LIKE on non-indexed columns
• Searching large tables without LIMIT

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Best Practices for PHP MySQL Search

• Use prepared statements
• Use LIMIT for large datasets
• Add indexes for searchable columns
• Combine search with pagination
• Sanitize and validate input

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Related tutorial:

• PHP MySQL Select Data
• Limit Data Selections in PHP and MySQL
• PHP MySQL Pagination Full Tutorial
• PHP MySQL Use WHERE

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What does LIKE do in MySQL?

It searches for patterns in column values.

2. What is % in LIKE?

It matches any number of characters.

3. Is LIKE case-sensitive?

Depends on the column collation.

4. Is LIKE slow for large data?

Yes, without indexes and LIMIT.

5. Can LIKE be used with numbers?

Yes, but mainly used with text.