# throws

A method declaration clause listing exceptions callers may need to handle.

## What does **throws** do in Java?

**throws** — A method declaration clause listing exceptions callers may need to handle.

```java
import java.io.IOException;

class OrderReader {
    String read() throws IOException {
        throw new IOException("Unavailable");
    }
}
```

Level: Journeyman · [More Java terms at this level](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/subjects/java/journeyman)

Updated: September 27, 2026

Source: https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/throws