# Is @opentelemetry/api ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> @opentelemetry/api@1.9.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Public API for OpenTelemetry

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against @opentelemetry/api@1.9.1.

@opentelemetry/api ships CommonJS only. require("@opentelemetry/api") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=8.0.0. import "@opentelemetry/api" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

It also declares a "module" field, so bundlers such as webpack, Vite and esbuild pick up an ESM build for tree-shaking.

## What to do

1. require("@opentelemetry/api") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=8.0.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import api from "@opentelemetry/api"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 1.9.1 (Mar 25, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 1.9.1
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=8.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 73.4M
- License: Apache-2.0

## Runtime test results for @opentelemetry/api@1.9.1

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("@opentelemetry/api") from a CommonJS file and import "@opentelemetry/api" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("@opentelemetry/api") | import "@opentelemetry/api" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | works | works |
| Node.js 20 | works | works |
| Node.js 22 | works | works |
| Node.js 24 | works | works |
| Node.js 26 | works | works |
| Bun 1.4.0 | works | works |

## How to import @opentelemetry/api

ES modules:

```js
import api from "@opentelemetry/api";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const api = require("@opentelemetry/api");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (43 versions; the newest 43 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.4.0 – 1.9.1 | CommonJS | Feb 5, 2020 |

## Frequently asked

**Is @opentelemetry/api ESM-only?**

@opentelemetry/api@1.9.1 is a CommonJS package. @opentelemetry/api ships CommonJS only. require("@opentelemetry/api") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=8.0.0. import "@opentelemetry/api" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

**Can I import @opentelemetry/api with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import api from "@opentelemetry/api" works in Node.js and Bun because they support importing CommonJS modules. Named imports work only when Node.js can statically detect the exports.

**Does @opentelemetry/api work in Bun?**

Yes. import "@opentelemetry/api" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does @opentelemetry/api ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. @opentelemetry/api bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [@opentelemetry/api on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@opentelemetry/api)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-js)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/@opentelemetry/api/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/@opentelemetry/api.json)

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