diff --git a/doc/examples/erase__IteratorType.cpp b/doc/examples/erase__IteratorType.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3c02bbff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/examples/erase__IteratorType.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+#include <json.hpp>
+
+using namespace nlohmann;
+
+int main()
+{
+    // create JSON values
+    json j_boolean = true;
+    json j_number_integer = 17;
+    json j_number_float = 23.42;
+    json j_object = {{"one", 1}, {"two", 2}};
+    json j_array = {1, 2, 4, 8, 16};
+    json j_string = "Hello, world";
+
+    // call erase
+    j_boolean.erase(j_boolean.begin());
+    j_number_integer.erase(j_number_integer.begin());
+    j_number_float.erase(j_number_float.begin());
+    j_object.erase(j_object.find("two"));
+    j_array.erase(j_array.begin() + 2);
+    j_string.erase(j_string.begin());
+
+    // print values
+    std::cout << j_boolean << '\n';
+    std::cout << j_number_integer << '\n';
+    std::cout << j_number_float << '\n';
+    std::cout << j_object << '\n';
+    std::cout << j_array << '\n';
+    std::cout << j_string << '\n';
+}
diff --git a/doc/examples/erase__IteratorType.output b/doc/examples/erase__IteratorType.output
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e392f8ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/examples/erase__IteratorType.output
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+null
+null
+null
+{"one":1}
+[1,2,8,16]
+null
diff --git a/doc/examples/erase__IteratorType_IteratorType.cpp b/doc/examples/erase__IteratorType_IteratorType.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a5bde58b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/examples/erase__IteratorType_IteratorType.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+#include <json.hpp>
+
+using namespace nlohmann;
+
+int main()
+{
+    // create JSON values
+    json j_boolean = true;
+    json j_number_integer = 17;
+    json j_number_float = 23.42;
+    json j_object = {{"one", 1}, {"two", 2}};
+    json j_array = {1, 2, 4, 8, 16};
+    json j_string = "Hello, world";
+
+    // call erase
+    j_boolean.erase(j_boolean.begin(), j_boolean.end());
+    j_number_integer.erase(j_number_integer.begin(), j_number_integer.end());
+    j_number_float.erase(j_number_float.begin(), j_number_float.end());
+    j_object.erase(j_object.find("two"), j_object.end());
+    j_array.erase(j_array.begin() + 1, j_array.begin() + 3);
+    j_string.erase(j_string.begin(), j_string.end());
+
+    // print values
+    std::cout << j_boolean << '\n';
+    std::cout << j_number_integer << '\n';
+    std::cout << j_number_float << '\n';
+    std::cout << j_object << '\n';
+    std::cout << j_array << '\n';
+    std::cout << j_string << '\n';
+}
diff --git a/doc/examples/erase__IteratorType_IteratorType.output b/doc/examples/erase__IteratorType_IteratorType.output
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5d01f008
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/examples/erase__IteratorType_IteratorType.output
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+null
+null
+null
+{"one":1}
+[1,8,16]
+null
diff --git a/doc/examples/erase__key_type.cpp b/doc/examples/erase__key_type.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a1d1e44d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/examples/erase__key_type.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+#include <json.hpp>
+
+using namespace nlohmann;
+
+int main()
+{
+    // create a JSON object
+    json j_object = {{"one", 1}, {"two", 2}};
+
+    // call erase
+    auto count_one = j_object.erase("one");
+    auto count_three = j_object.erase("three");
+
+    // print values
+    std::cout << j_object << '\n';
+    std::cout << count_one << " " << count_three << '\n';
+}
diff --git a/doc/examples/erase__key_type.output b/doc/examples/erase__key_type.output
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..28d79391
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/examples/erase__key_type.output
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+{"two":2}
+1 0
diff --git a/doc/examples/erase__size_type.cpp b/doc/examples/erase__size_type.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8578660e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/examples/erase__size_type.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+#include <json.hpp>
+
+using namespace nlohmann;
+
+int main()
+{
+    // create a JSON array
+    json j_array = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5};
+
+    // call erase
+    j_array.erase(2);
+
+    // print values
+    std::cout << j_array << '\n';
+}
diff --git a/doc/examples/erase__size_type.output b/doc/examples/erase__size_type.output
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4ad74061
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/examples/erase__size_type.output
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+[0,1,3,4,5]
diff --git a/src/json.hpp b/src/json.hpp
index bf5dccfa..67678d04 100644
--- a/src/json.hpp
+++ b/src/json.hpp
@@ -2456,22 +2456,54 @@ class basic_json
         return *tmp;
     }
 
-    /// remove element given an iterator
-    template <class T, typename
+    /*!
+    @brief remove element given an iterator
+
+    Removes the element specified by iterator @a pos. Invalidates iterators and
+    references at or after the point of the erase, including the end()
+    iterator. The iterator @a pos must be valid and dereferenceable. Thus the
+    end() iterator (which is valid, but is not dereferencable) cannot be used
+    as a value for @a pos.
+
+    If called on a primitive type other than null, the resulting JSON value
+    will be `null`.
+
+    @param[in] pos iterator to the element to remove
+    @return Iterator following the last removed element. If the iterator @a pos
+    refers to the last element, the end() iterator is returned.
+
+    @tparam InteratorType an @ref iterator or @ref const_iterator
+
+    @throw std::domain_error if called on a `null` value
+    @throw std::domain_error if called on an iterator which does not belong to
+    the current JSON value
+    @throw std::out_of_range if called on a primitive type with invalid iterator
+    (i.e., any iterator which is not end())
+
+    @complexity The complexity depends on the type:
+    - objects: amortized constant
+    - arrays: linear in distance between pos and the end of the container
+    - strings: linear in the length of the string
+    - other types: constant
+
+    @liveexample{The example shows the result of erase for different JSON
+    types.,erase__IteratorType}
+    */
+    template <class InteratorType, typename
               std::enable_if<
-                  std::is_same<T, typename __basic_json::iterator>::value or
-                  std::is_same<T, typename __basic_json::const_iterator>::value
+                  std::is_same<InteratorType, typename __basic_json::iterator>::value or
+                  std::is_same<InteratorType, typename __basic_json::const_iterator>::value
                   , int>::type
               = 0>
-    T erase(T pos)
+    InteratorType erase(InteratorType pos)
     {
         // make sure iterator fits the current value
-        if (this != pos.m_object or m_type != pos.m_object->m_type)
+        if (this != pos.m_object)
         {
             throw std::domain_error("iterator does not fit current value");
         }
 
-        T result = end();
+        InteratorType result = end();
 
         switch (m_type)
         {
@@ -2516,23 +2548,55 @@ class basic_json
         return result;
     }
 
-    /// remove elements given an iterator range
-    template <class T, typename
+    /*!
+    @brief remove elements given an iterator range
+
+    Removes the element specified by the range `[first; last)`. Invalidates
+    iterators and references at or after the point of the erase, including the
+    end() iterator. The iterator @a first does not need to be dereferenceable
+    if `first == last`: erasing an empty range is a no-op.
+
+    If called on a primitive type other than null, the resulting JSON value
+    will be `null`.
+
+    @param[in] first iterator to the beginning of the range to remove
+    @param[in] last iterator past the end of the range to remove
+    @return Iterator following the last removed element. If the iterator @a
+    second refers to the last element, the end() iterator is returned.
+
+    @tparam InteratorType an @ref iterator or @ref const_iterator
+
+    @throw std::domain_error if called on a `null` value
+    @throw std::domain_error if called on iterators which does not belong to
+    the current JSON value
+    @throw std::out_of_range if called on a primitive type with invalid iterators
+    (i.e., if `first != begin()` and `last != end()`)
+
+    @complexity The complexity depends on the type:
+    - objects: `log(size()) + std::distance(first, last)`
+    - arrays: linear in the distance between @a first and @a last, plus linear
+      in the distance between @a last and end of the container
+    - strings: linear in the length of the string
+    - other types: constant
+
+    @liveexample{The example shows the result of erase for different JSON
+    types.,erase__IteratorType_IteratorType}
+    */
+    template <class InteratorType, typename
               std::enable_if<
-                  std::is_same<T, typename basic_json::iterator>::value or
-                  std::is_same<T, typename basic_json::const_iterator>::value
+                  std::is_same<InteratorType, typename basic_json::iterator>::value or
+                  std::is_same<InteratorType, typename basic_json::const_iterator>::value
                   , int>::type
               = 0>
-    T erase(T first, T last)
+    InteratorType erase(InteratorType first, InteratorType last)
     {
         // make sure iterator fits the current value
-        if (this != first.m_object or this != last.m_object or
-                m_type != first.m_object->m_type or m_type != last.m_object->m_type)
+        if (this != first.m_object or this != last.m_object)
         {
             throw std::domain_error("iterators do not fit current value");
         }
 
-        T result = end();
+        InteratorType result = end();
 
         switch (m_type)
         {
@@ -2579,7 +2643,23 @@ class basic_json
         return result;
     }
 
-    /// remove element from an object given a key
+    /*!
+    @brief remove element from a JSON object given a key
+
+    Removes elements from a JSON object with the key value @a key.
+
+    @param[in] key value of the elements to remove
+
+    @return Number of elements removed. If ObjectType is the default `std::map`
+    type, the return value will always be `0` (@a key was not found) or `1` (@a
+    key was found).
+
+    @throw std::domain_error when called on a type other than JSON object
+
+    @complexity `log(size()) + count(key)`
+
+    @liveexample{The example shows the effect of erase.,erase__key_type}
+    */
     size_type erase(const typename object_t::key_type& key)
     {
         // this erase only works for objects
@@ -2591,7 +2671,20 @@ class basic_json
         return m_value.object->erase(key);
     }
 
-    /// remove element from an array given an index
+    /*!
+    @brief remove element from a JSON array given an index
+
+    Removes element from a JSON array at the index @a idx.
+
+    @param[in] idx index of the element to remove
+
+    @throw std::domain_error when called on a type other than JSON array
+    @throw std::out_of_range when `idx >= size()`
+
+    @complexity Linear in distance between @a idx and the end of the container.
+
+    @liveexample{The example shows the effect of erase.,erase__size_type}
+    */
     void erase(const size_type idx)
     {
         // this erase only works for arrays
diff --git a/src/json.hpp.re2c b/src/json.hpp.re2c
index 891cb3b4..107260ac 100644
--- a/src/json.hpp.re2c
+++ b/src/json.hpp.re2c
@@ -2456,22 +2456,54 @@ class basic_json
         return *tmp;
     }
 
-    /// remove element given an iterator
-    template <class T, typename
+    /*!
+    @brief remove element given an iterator
+
+    Removes the element specified by iterator @a pos. Invalidates iterators and
+    references at or after the point of the erase, including the end()
+    iterator. The iterator @a pos must be valid and dereferenceable. Thus the
+    end() iterator (which is valid, but is not dereferencable) cannot be used
+    as a value for @a pos.
+
+    If called on a primitive type other than null, the resulting JSON value
+    will be `null`.
+
+    @param[in] pos iterator to the element to remove
+    @return Iterator following the last removed element. If the iterator @a pos
+    refers to the last element, the end() iterator is returned.
+
+    @tparam InteratorType an @ref iterator or @ref const_iterator
+
+    @throw std::domain_error if called on a `null` value
+    @throw std::domain_error if called on an iterator which does not belong to
+    the current JSON value
+    @throw std::out_of_range if called on a primitive type with invalid iterator
+    (i.e., any iterator which is not end())
+
+    @complexity The complexity depends on the type:
+    - objects: amortized constant
+    - arrays: linear in distance between pos and the end of the container
+    - strings: linear in the length of the string
+    - other types: constant
+
+    @liveexample{The example shows the result of erase for different JSON
+    types.,erase__IteratorType}
+    */
+    template <class InteratorType, typename
               std::enable_if<
-                  std::is_same<T, typename __basic_json::iterator>::value or
-                  std::is_same<T, typename __basic_json::const_iterator>::value
+                  std::is_same<InteratorType, typename __basic_json::iterator>::value or
+                  std::is_same<InteratorType, typename __basic_json::const_iterator>::value
                   , int>::type
               = 0>
-    T erase(T pos)
+    InteratorType erase(InteratorType pos)
     {
         // make sure iterator fits the current value
-        if (this != pos.m_object or m_type != pos.m_object->m_type)
+        if (this != pos.m_object)
         {
             throw std::domain_error("iterator does not fit current value");
         }
 
-        T result = end();
+        InteratorType result = end();
 
         switch (m_type)
         {
@@ -2516,23 +2548,55 @@ class basic_json
         return result;
     }
 
-    /// remove elements given an iterator range
-    template <class T, typename
+    /*!
+    @brief remove elements given an iterator range
+
+    Removes the element specified by the range `[first; last)`. Invalidates
+    iterators and references at or after the point of the erase, including the
+    end() iterator. The iterator @a first does not need to be dereferenceable
+    if `first == last`: erasing an empty range is a no-op.
+
+    If called on a primitive type other than null, the resulting JSON value
+    will be `null`.
+
+    @param[in] first iterator to the beginning of the range to remove
+    @param[in] last iterator past the end of the range to remove
+    @return Iterator following the last removed element. If the iterator @a
+    second refers to the last element, the end() iterator is returned.
+
+    @tparam InteratorType an @ref iterator or @ref const_iterator
+
+    @throw std::domain_error if called on a `null` value
+    @throw std::domain_error if called on iterators which does not belong to
+    the current JSON value
+    @throw std::out_of_range if called on a primitive type with invalid iterators
+    (i.e., if `first != begin()` and `last != end()`)
+
+    @complexity The complexity depends on the type:
+    - objects: `log(size()) + std::distance(first, last)`
+    - arrays: linear in the distance between @a first and @a last, plus linear
+      in the distance between @a last and end of the container
+    - strings: linear in the length of the string
+    - other types: constant
+
+    @liveexample{The example shows the result of erase for different JSON
+    types.,erase__IteratorType_IteratorType}
+    */
+    template <class InteratorType, typename
               std::enable_if<
-                  std::is_same<T, typename basic_json::iterator>::value or
-                  std::is_same<T, typename basic_json::const_iterator>::value
+                  std::is_same<InteratorType, typename basic_json::iterator>::value or
+                  std::is_same<InteratorType, typename basic_json::const_iterator>::value
                   , int>::type
               = 0>
-    T erase(T first, T last)
+    InteratorType erase(InteratorType first, InteratorType last)
     {
         // make sure iterator fits the current value
-        if (this != first.m_object or this != last.m_object or
-                m_type != first.m_object->m_type or m_type != last.m_object->m_type)
+        if (this != first.m_object or this != last.m_object)
         {
             throw std::domain_error("iterators do not fit current value");
         }
 
-        T result = end();
+        InteratorType result = end();
 
         switch (m_type)
         {
@@ -2579,7 +2643,23 @@ class basic_json
         return result;
     }
 
-    /// remove element from an object given a key
+    /*!
+    @brief remove element from a JSON object given a key
+
+    Removes elements from a JSON object with the key value @a key.
+
+    @param[in] key value of the elements to remove
+
+    @return Number of elements removed. If ObjectType is the default `std::map`
+    type, the return value will always be `0` (@a key was not found) or `1` (@a
+    key was found).
+
+    @throw std::domain_error when called on a type other than JSON object
+
+    @complexity `log(size()) + count(key)`
+
+    @liveexample{The example shows the effect of erase.,erase__key_type}
+    */
     size_type erase(const typename object_t::key_type& key)
     {
         // this erase only works for objects
@@ -2591,7 +2671,20 @@ class basic_json
         return m_value.object->erase(key);
     }
 
-    /// remove element from an array given an index
+    /*!
+    @brief remove element from a JSON array given an index
+
+    Removes element from a JSON array at the index @a idx.
+
+    @param[in] idx index of the element to remove
+
+    @throw std::domain_error when called on a type other than JSON array
+    @throw std::out_of_range when `idx >= size()`
+
+    @complexity Linear in distance between @a idx and the end of the container.
+
+    @liveexample{The example shows the effect of erase.,erase__size_type}
+    */
     void erase(const size_type idx)
     {
         // this erase only works for arrays