---
title: "invalid_input error"
url: "https://lookvalid.com/docs/errors/invalid_input.md"
canonical_url: "https://lookvalid.com/docs/errors/invalid_input"
last_updated: "2026-10-22"
type: "reference"
summary: "HTTP 400 invalid_input: The request input is invalid. Cause, fix and a curl example."
related: ["https://lookvalid.com/docs/errors.md", "https://lookvalid.com/docs/api.md"]
---

# invalid_input error

HTTP 400 invalid_input: The request input is invalid. Cause, fix and a curl example.

`invalid_input` is returned with HTTP **400**. Retryable: no. Sending the same request again returns the same error. Nothing is charged for this error.

## What it means

The request input is invalid.

## Most likely cause

A required field is missing, a value has the wrong type or format, or the body is not valid JSON. The message names the field.

## How to fix it

Correct the field named in the message and resend. Each product input schema is in the OpenAPI document. Nothing was charged.

## Example

The IP lookup needs an `ip` field. An empty object is refused with HTTP 400 and nothing is charged.

```sh
curl -i -X POST https://YOUR_API_HOST/v1/ip -H "Authorization: Bearer $LOOKVALID_API_KEY" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{}'
```

An error response is one JSON envelope. Branch on `code`, never on the message text. The `message` and `fix` of a real response can be more specific than the defaults shown here.

```json
{
  "error": {
    "code": "invalid_input",
    "message": "The request input is invalid.",
    "fix": "Correct the field named in the message and resend. Each product input schema is in the OpenAPI document. Nothing was charged.",
    "docs_url": "https://lookvalid.com/docs/errors/invalid_input",
    "retryable": false,
    "request_id": "req_3fK9pQ2xVb7LmN4sTz8WcA"
  }
}
```

## See also

- [All error codes](https://lookvalid.com/docs/errors.md) with the response envelope.
- [API reference](https://lookvalid.com/docs/api.md).
- Quote the `request_id` when you write to [hello@lookvalid.com](mailto:hello@lookvalid.com).

## Related

- [Errors](https://lookvalid.com/docs/errors.md)
- [API reference](https://lookvalid.com/docs/api.md)