DOMException

The DOMException interface represents an abnormal event (called an exception) that occurs as a result of calling a method or accessing a property of a web API. This is basically how error conditions are described in web APIs.

Each exception has a name, which is a short "CamelCase" style string identifying the error or abnormal condition.

Constructor

DOMException()
Returns a DOMException object with a specified message and name.

Properties

DOMException.code Read only
Returns a short that contains one of the error code constants, or 0 if none match. This field is used for historical reasons. New DOM exceptions don't use this anymore: they put this info in the DOMException.name attribute.
DOMException.message Read only
Returns a DOMString representing a message or description associated with the given error name.
DOMException.name Read only
Returns a DOMString that contains one of the strings associated with an error name.

Error names

Common error names are listed here. Some APIs define their own sets of names, so this is not necessarily a complete list.

Note: Because historically the errors were identified by a numeric value that corresponded with a named variable defined to have that value, some of the entries below indicate the legacy code value and constant name that were used in the past.

IndexSizeError
The index is not in the allowed range. For example, this can be thrown by the Range object. (Legacy code value: 1 and legacy constant name: INDEX_SIZE_ERR)
HierarchyRequestError
The node tree hierarchy is not correct. (Legacy code value: 3 and legacy constant name: HIERARCHY_REQUEST_ERR)
WrongDocumentError
The object is in the wrong Document. (Legacy code value: 4 and legacy constant name: WRONG_DOCUMENT_ERR)
InvalidCharacterError
The string contains invalid characters. (Legacy code value: 5 and legacy constant name: INVALID_CHARACTER_ERR)
NoModificationAllowedError
The object cannot be modified. (Legacy code value: 7 and legacy constant name: NO_MODIFICATION_ALLOWED_ERR)
NotFoundError
The object cannot be found here. (Legacy code value: 8 and legacy constant name: NOT_FOUND_ERR)
NotSupportedError
The operation is not supported. (Legacy code value: 9 and legacy constant name: NOT_SUPPORTED_ERR)
InvalidStateError
The object is in an invalid state. (Legacy code value: 11 and legacy constant name: INVALID_STATE_ERR)
SyntaxError
The string did not match the expected pattern. (Legacy code value: 12 and legacy constant name: SYNTAX_ERR)
InvalidModificationError
The object cannot be modified in this way. (Legacy code value: 13 and legacy constant name: INVALID_MODIFICATION_ERR)
NamespaceError
The operation is not allowed by Namespaces in XML. (Legacy code value: 14 and legacy constant name: NAMESPACE_ERR)
InvalidAccessError
The object does not support the operation or argument. (Legacy code value: 15 and legacy constant name: INVALID_ACCESS_ERR)
TypeMismatchError
The type of the object does not match the expected type. (Legacy code value: 17 and legacy constant name: TYPE_MISMATCH_ERR) This value is deprecated; the JavaScript TypeError exception is now raised instead of a DOMException with this value.
SecurityError
The operation is insecure. (Legacy code value: 18 and legacy constant name: SECURITY_ERR)
NetworkError
A network error occurred. (Legacy code value: 19 and legacy constant name: NETWORK_ERR)
AbortError
The operation was aborted. (Legacy code value: 20 and legacy constant name: ABORT_ERR)
URLMismatchError
The given URL does not match another URL. (Legacy code value: 21 and legacy constant name: URL_MISMATCH_ERR)
QuotaExceededError
The quota has been exceeded. (Legacy code value: 22 and legacy constant name: QUOTA_EXCEEDED_ERR)
TimeoutError
The operation timed out. (Legacy code value: 23 and legacy constant name: TIMEOUT_ERR)
InvalidNodeTypeError
The node is incorrect or has an incorrect ancestor for this operation. (Legacy code value: 24 and legacy constant name: INVALID_NODE_TYPE_ERR)
DataCloneError
The object can not be cloned. (Legacy code value: 25 and legacy constant name: DATA_CLONE_ERR)
EncodingError
The encoding or decoding operation failed (No legacy code value and constant name).
NotReadableError
The input/output read operation failed (No legacy code value and constant name).
UnknownError
The operation failed for an unknown transient reason (e.g. out of memory) (No legacy code value and constant name).
ConstraintError
A mutation operation in a transaction failed because a constraint was not satisfied (No legacy code value and constant name).
DataError
Provided data is inadequate (No legacy code value and constant name).
TransactionInactiveError
A request was placed against a transaction that is currently not active or is finished (No legacy code value and constant name).
ReadOnlyError
The mutating operation was attempted in a "readonly" transaction (No legacy code value and constant name).
VersionError
An attempt was made to open a database using a lower version than the existing version (No legacy code value and constant name).
OperationError
The operation failed for an operation-specific reason (No legacy code value and constant name).
NotAllowedError
The request is not allowed by the user agent or the platform in the current context, possibly because the user denied permission (No legacy code value and constant name).

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
Web IDL
The definition of 'constructor' in that specification.
Candidate Recommendation Adds the constructor for the DOMException class. Adds the NotReadableError, UnknownError, ConstraintError, DataError, TransactionInactiveError, ReadOnlyError, VersionError, OperationError, and NotAllowedError values.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
DOMExceptionChrome Full support YesEdge Full support ≤18Firefox Full support 1IE ? Opera Full support YesSafari Full support YesWebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support YesSafari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support Yes
DOMException() constructorChrome Full support YesEdge Full support 79Firefox ? IE ? Opera Full support YesSafari ? WebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android ? Opera Android Full support YesSafari iOS ? Samsung Internet Android Full support Yes
codeChrome Full support YesEdge Full support 12Firefox Full support 1IE ? Opera Full support YesSafari Full support YesWebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support YesSafari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support Yes
messageChrome Full support YesEdge Full support 12Firefox Full support 1IE ? Opera Full support YesSafari Full support YesWebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support YesSafari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support Yes
nameChrome Full support YesEdge Full support 12Firefox Full support 1IE ? Opera Full support YesSafari Full support YesWebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support YesSafari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support Yes

Legend

Full support
Full support
Compatibility unknown
Compatibility unknown

See also