Error.prototype.message

The message property is a human-readable description of the error.

Description

This property contains a brief description of the error if one is available or has been set. SpiderMonkey makes extensive use of the message property for exceptions. The message property combined with the name property is used by the Error.prototype.toString() method to create a string representation of the Error.

By default, the message property is an empty string, but this behavior can be overridden for an instance by specifying a message as the first argument to the Error constructor.

Examples

Throwing a custom error

var e = new Error('Could not parse input');
// e.message is 'Could not parse input'
throw e;

Specifications

Specification
ECMAScript (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Error.prototype.message' in that specification.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobileServer
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung InternetNode.js
messageChrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 1IE Full support 6Opera 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