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

> ansi-escapes@7.3.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 5.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 4.3.2.

ANSI escape codes for manipulating the terminal

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against ansi-escapes@7.3.0.

ansi-escapes dropped its CommonJS build in 5.0.0 (April 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 4.3.2, published Mar 24, 2021; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("ansi-escapes") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. On Node.js 18, which has no require(esm), require("ansi-escapes") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("ansi-escapes") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const ansiEscapes = await import("ansi-escapes"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install ansi-escapes@4.3.2, the last CommonJS release (published Mar 24, 2021); it declares Node.js >=8.
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 7.3.0 (Feb 4, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 4.3.2
- ESM-only since: 5.0.0 (Apr 18, 2021)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=18
- Weekly downloads: 113.6M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for ansi-escapes@7.3.0

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

| Runtime | require("ansi-escapes") | import "ansi-escapes" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | 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-escapes

ES modules:

```js
import * as ansiEscapes from "ansi-escapes";
```

Namespace import shown because the ESM entry may have no default export; use named imports for what it exports.

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const ansiEscapes = require("ansi-escapes");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=18), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const ansiEscapes = await import("ansi-escapes");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=8):
// npm install ansi-escapes@4.3.2
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (28 versions; the newest 28 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0.0 – 7.3.0 | ESM-only | Apr 18, 2021 |
| 1.0.0 – 4.3.2 | CommonJS | Aug 14, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is ansi-escapes ESM-only?**

ansi-escapes@7.3.0 is ESM-only. ansi-escapes dropped its CommonJS build in 5.0.0 (April 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 4.3.2, published Mar 24, 2021; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

**Which version of ansi-escapes still supports CommonJS / require()?**

4.3.2 is the last version of ansi-escapes with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=8. Install it with "npm install ansi-escapes@4.3.2". Every version from 5.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use ansi-escapes from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const ansiEscapes = await import("ansi-escapes"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("ansi-escapes") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin ansi-escapes@4.3.2 (declares Node.js >=8).

**Does ansi-escapes work in Bun?**

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

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

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

## Links

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

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