laravel/framework · error · InvalidArgumentException

The seed value must be numeric.

Error message

The seed value must be numeric.

What it means

MySqlGrammar's compileRandom accepts a seed value for RAND(seed). If the seed is not empty/null (which produces RAND()) and is not numeric (fails is_numeric()), it throws an InvalidArgumentException. MySQL's RAND() accepts only an integer seed, so non-numeric seeds are rejected.

Solutions

1. Call ->inRandomOrder() with no argument to use RAND() without a seed
2. Pass an integer seed: ->inRandomOrder(42) or ->inRandomOrder((int) $seed)
3. Validate the seed before passing: if (is_numeric($seed)) { $query->inRandomOrder($seed); } else { $query->inRandomOrder(); }

Example fix

// before — non-numeric seed throws
$results = Product::inRandomOrder($request->input('seed', 'abc'))->get();

// after — cast or default to null
$seed = $request->input('seed');
$results = Product::inRandomOrder(is_numeric($seed) ? (int) $seed : null)->get();

$seed = $request->input('seed');
if ($seed === null || $seed === '' || ! is_numeric($seed)) {
    $results = Product::inRandomOrder()->get();
} else {
    $results = Product::inRandomOrder((int) $seed)->get();
}

function isValidRandomSeed(mixed $seed): bool {
    return $seed === null || $seed === '' || is_numeric($seed);
}

try {
    Product::inRandomOrder($seed)->get();
} catch (\InvalidArgumentException $e) {
    if (str_contains($e->getMessage(), 'seed value must be numeric')) {
        Product::inRandomOrder()->get();
    } else {
        throw $e;
    }
}

When it happens

Trigger: Calling ->inRandomOrder('abc') or ->inRandomOrder($stringVar) where $stringVar is a non-numeric string. Also triggered if inRandomOrder receives an array or object.

Common situations: Passing a string-based seed (e.g., a UUID or session token) to inRandomOrder thinking it acts as a hash-based seed. Dynamically passing user input as a seed without validation. Passing a float string like '1.5' works (is_numeric returns true), but truly non-numeric strings fail.

Related errors

• Index name contains invalid characters.
• Add fillable property
• Collection given to whereAttachedTo method may not be empty.
• Collection given to whereBelongsTo method may not be empty.
• Collection given to whereMorphedTo method may not be empty.

AI-assisted analysis of laravel/framework@e0f6eb3518 (2026-08-11). Data as JSON: /api/errors/e621b23ecc9b6027. Report an issue: GitHub.

Appendix: source

Thrown at src/Illuminate/Database/Query/Grammars/MySqlGrammar.php:347

        return 'cast('.$value.' as json)';
    }

    /**
     * Compile the random statement into SQL.
     *
     * @param  string|int  $seed
     * @return string
     *
     * @throws \InvalidArgumentException
     */
    public function compileRandom($seed)
    {
        if ($seed === '' || $seed === null) {
            return 'RAND()';
        }

        if (! is_numeric($seed)) {
            throw new InvalidArgumentException('The seed value must be numeric.');
        }

        return 'RAND('.(int) $seed.')';
    }

    /**
     * Compile the lock into SQL.
     *
     * @param  \Illuminate\Database\Query\Builder  $query
     * @param  bool|string  $value
     * @return string
     */
    protected function compileLock(Builder $query, $value)
    {
        if (! is_string($value)) {
            return $value ? 'for update' : 'lock in share mode';
        }

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