TypeError

The TypeError object represents an error when an operation could not be performed, typically (but not exclusively) when a value is not of the expected type.

A TypeError may be thrown when:

  • an operand or argument passed to a function is incompatible with the type expected by that operator or function; or
  • when attempting to modify a value that cannot be changed; or
  • when attempting to use a value in an inappropriate way.

Constructor

TypeError()
Creates a new TypeError object.

Instance properties

TypeError.prototype.message
Error message. Although ECMA-262 specifies that TypeError should provide its own message property, in SpiderMonkey, it inherits Error.prototype.message.
TypeError.prototype.name
Error name. Inherited from Error.
TypeError.prototype.fileName
Path to file that raised this error. Inherited from Error.
TypeError.prototype.lineNumber
Line number in file that raised this error. Inherited from Error.
TypeError.prototype.columnNumber
Column number in line that raised this error. Inherited from Error.
TypeError.prototype.stack
Stack trace. Inherited from Error.

Examples

Catching a TypeError

try {
  null.f()
} catch (e) {
  console.log(e instanceof TypeError)  // true
  console.log(e.message)               // "null has no properties"
  console.log(e.name)                  // "TypeError"
  console.log(e.fileName)              // "Scratchpad/1"
  console.log(e.lineNumber)            // 2
  console.log(e.columnNumber)          // 2
  console.log(e.stack)                 // "@Scratchpad/2:2:3\n"
}

Creating a TypeError

try {
  throw new TypeError('Hello', "someFile.js", 10)
} catch (e) {
  console.log(e instanceof TypeError)  // true
  console.log(e.message)               // "Hello"
  console.log(e.name)                  // "TypeError"
  console.log(e.fileName)              // "someFile.js"
  console.log(e.lineNumber)            // 10
  console.log(e.columnNumber)          // 0
  console.log(e.stack)                 // "@Scratchpad/2:2:9\n"
}

Specifications

Specification
ECMAScript (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'TypeError' in that specification.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobileServer
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung InternetNode.js
TypeErrorChrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 1IE Full support 5.5Opera Full support 5Safari Full support 1WebView Android Full support 1Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support 10.1Safari iOS Full support 1Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0nodejs Full support 0.1.100
TypeError() constructorChrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 1IE Full support 5.5Opera Full support 5Safari Full support 1WebView Android Full support 1Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support 10.1Safari iOS Full support 1Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0nodejs Full support 0.1.100

Legend

Full support
Full support

See also