ACF Field Group Builder
Build an ACF field group visually and export it as PHP or JSON. Field keys are generated for you, and everything runs in your browser.
About the ACF Field Group Builder
The ACF Field Group Builder lets you assemble an Advanced Custom Fields field group visually and export it as ready-to-use PHP or JSON. Set a group title, add fields, pick a type for each, and the tool generates valid output with unique field keys and a group key. It is built for WordPress developers who register fields in code or import them through ACF's tools. Everything runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded or stored.
How it works
- Enter a field group title at the top.
- Click Add field, then set each field's label, type, and whether it is required. The field name is derived from the label and the field key is generated for you.
- Toggle between PHP and JSON to see the matching output update live.
- Click Copy to grab the output, then paste it into your theme's functions.php (PHP) or import it via ACF (JSON).
Features
- Common ACF field types including text, textarea, number, select, true_false, image, repeater, group, and more.
- Auto-generated field keys (field_xxxxxxxx) and a group key (group_xxxx) that ACF requires.
- Two output formats from one toggle: PHP for acf_add_local_field_group() and JSON for ACF import.
- Per-type settings such as choices for select and radio, plus sub-fields for repeater and group.
- Live recompute and one-click copy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the PHP and JSON output?
The PHP output wraps your field group in acf_add_local_field_group() inside an acf/init hook, ready to drop into a theme or plugin. The JSON output is an array you can import from ACF's Tools screen or save as a local JSON file. Both describe the same field group.
How are field keys generated?
Each field gets a random key in the form field_xxxxxxxx, and the group gets a key like group_yourtitle_xxxx. ACF uses these keys internally to track fields, so they must be unique. The tool fills them in automatically, and you can edit a field key if you need a specific value.
How is the field name derived?
The field name is created from the field label by lowercasing it and replacing spaces and punctuation with underscores. For example, Hero Title becomes hero_title. If you edit the name yourself, the tool stops overwriting it so your value is kept.
Do repeater and group fields support sub-fields?
Yes. When you set a field's type to repeater or group, a sub-fields section appears where you can add labelled sub-fields with their own types. Sub-fields are output nested inside the parent field, the way ACF expects.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. The field group is built entirely in your browser with JavaScript. Nothing is uploaded, saved, or logged, so you can use it on private or client projects without concern.