FatalCommands & Packages
Runaway Argument (Missing Closing Brace)
Runaway argument?
What this error means
LaTeX started reading a mandatory argument (inside {}) but reached a paragraph break or end-of-file before finding the closing }. This typically means a brace was opened but never closed.
Common causes
- A { was opened to start a command argument but no matching } was written
- A blank line inside a command argument (paragraph breaks are not allowed inside arguments)
- Copy-pasting code that dropped the closing brace
How to fix it
Find the unclosed { and add the matching }. Check the line indicated in the error. Blank lines inside command arguments are not allowed — if you need to break, end the command first.
Code examples
Causes the error
\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
\textbf{This text is bold
and continues on a new paragraph}
\end{document}Fixed
\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
\textbf{This text is bold.}
And continues on a new paragraph.
\end{document}Related errors
Test the fix live
Paste your LaTeX into the playground and compile instantly.

