Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global objects/Error/toString

The toString() method returns a string representing the specified Error object.

Syntax

e.toString()

Return value

A string representing the specified Error object.

Description

The Error object overrides the Object.prototype.toString() method inherited by all objects. Its semantics are as follows (assuming Object and String have their original values):

Error.prototype.toString = function() {
  'use strict';

  var obj = Object(this);
  if (obj !== this) {
    throw new TypeError();
  }

  var name = this.name;
  name = (name === undefined) ? 'Error' : String(name);

  var msg = this.message;
  msg = (msg === undefined) ? '' : String(msg);

  if (name === '') {
    return msg;
  }
  if (msg === '') {
    return name;
  }

  return name + ': ' + msg;
};

Examples

Using toString()

var e = new Error('fatal error');
console.log(e.toString()); // 'Error: fatal error'

e.name = undefined;
console.log(e.toString()); // 'Error: fatal error'

e.name = '';
console.log(e.toString()); // 'fatal error'

e.message = undefined;
console.log(e.toString()); // ''

e.name = 'hello';
console.log(e.toString()); // 'hello'

Specifications

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

Browser compatibility

Update compatibility data on GitHub

	Desktop						Mobile						Server
	Chrome	Edge	Firefox	Internet Explorer	Opera	Safari	Android webview	Chrome for Android	Firefox for Android	Opera for Android	Safari on iOS	Samsung Internet	Node.js
`toString`	Chrome Full support 1	Edge Full support 12	Firefox Full support 1	IE Full support 6	Opera Full support 4	Safari Full support 1	WebView Android Full support 1	Chrome Android Full support 18	Firefox Android Full support 4	Opera Android Full support 10.1	Safari iOS Full support 1	Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0	nodejs Full support 0.1.100

Legend

Full support: Full support