# Is ansi-colors ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> ansi-colors@4.1.3 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Easily add ANSI colors to your text and symbols in the terminal. A faster drop-in replacement for chalk, kleur and turbocolor (without the dependencies and rendering bugs).

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against ansi-colors@4.1.3.

ansi-colors ships CommonJS only. require("ansi-colors") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6. import "ansi-colors" 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.

## What to do

1. require("ansi-colors") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import ansiColors from "ansi-colors"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 4.1.3 (May 16, 2022)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 4.1.3
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=6
- Weekly downloads: 41.7M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for ansi-colors@4.1.3

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("ansi-colors") from a CommonJS file and import "ansi-colors" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("ansi-colors") | import "ansi-colors" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 ansi-colors

ES modules:

```js
import ansiColors from "ansi-colors";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const ansiColors = require("ansi-colors");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (29 versions; the newest 29 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.0 – 4.1.3 | CommonJS | Nov 30, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is ansi-colors ESM-only?**

ansi-colors@4.1.3 is a CommonJS package. ansi-colors ships CommonJS only. require("ansi-colors") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6. import "ansi-colors" 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 ansi-colors with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import ansiColors from "ansi-colors" 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 ansi-colors work in Bun?**

Yes. import "ansi-colors" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does ansi-colors ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. ansi-colors bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [ansi-colors on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/ansi-colors)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/doowb/ansi-colors)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/ansi-colors/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/ansi-colors.json)

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