mysql_set_charset Sets the client character set &reftitle.description; boolmysql_set_charset stringcharset resourcelink_identifierNULL Sets the default character set for the current connection. &reftitle.parameters; charset A valid character set name. &mysql.linkid.description; &reftitle.returnvalues; &return.success; &reftitle.notes; &mysql.alternative.note; &mysql.alternative.include; mysqli_character_set_name PDO::setAttribute (e.g., $db->setAttribute(PDO::MYSQL_ATTR_INIT_COMMAND, "SET NAMES 'utf8'");) This function requires MySQL 5.0.7 or later. This is the preferred way to change the charset. Using mysql_query to execute SET NAMES .. is not recommended. &reftitle.seealso; mysql_client_encoding List of character sets that MySQL supports