A Static Method Cannot Call A Non Static Method

<?php

class X {
    static function foo() {
        self::goo();
    }
    
    function goo() {    }
}

(new x)->foo();

It is known that a non-static method can call a static method. It is less known that a static method cannot call a non-static method, even if the static syntax is possible.

A non-static method needs a value for $this, which a static call doesn’t provide.

See Also

• cannot call static [Try me]

PHP Features

• static
• method

Last updated: 10 September 2026