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

> ansi-styles@7.0.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 6.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 5.2.0.

ANSI escape codes for styling strings in the terminal

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against ansi-styles@7.0.0.

ansi-styles dropped its CommonJS build in 6.0.0 (April 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 5.2.0, published Mar 31, 2021; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (ansi-styles@7.0.0 declares Node.js >=22), require("ansi-styles") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and ansi-styles@7.0.0 declares Node.js >=22, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

ansi-styles@7.0.0 declares engines ">=22", so Node.js 18, 20 are outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (ansi-styles@7.0.0 declares Node.js >=22), require("ansi-styles") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const ansiStyles = await import("ansi-styles"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=22).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install ansi-styles@5.2.0, the last CommonJS release (published Mar 31, 2021); it declares Node.js >=10.
4. ansi-styles@7.0.0 declares engines ">=22", so Node.js 18, 20 are unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 7.0.0 (Jul 26, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 5.2.0
- ESM-only since: 6.0.0 (Apr 16, 2021)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=22
- Weekly downloads: 470.9M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for ansi-styles@7.0.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import * as ansiStyles from "ansi-styles";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const ansiStyles = require("ansi-styles");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=22), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const ansiStyles = await import("ansi-styles");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=10):
// npm install ansi-styles@5.2.0
```

## 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0.0 – 7.0.0 | ESM-only | Apr 16, 2021 |
| 0.1.0 – 5.2.0 | CommonJS | Jul 31, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is ansi-styles ESM-only?**

ansi-styles@7.0.0 is ESM-only. ansi-styles dropped its CommonJS build in 6.0.0 (April 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 5.2.0, published Mar 31, 2021; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

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

5.2.0 is the last version of ansi-styles with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=10. Install it with "npm install ansi-styles@5.2.0". Every version from 6.0.0 on is ESM-only.

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

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const ansiStyles = await import("ansi-styles"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=22). On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (ansi-styles@7.0.0 declares Node.js >=22), require("ansi-styles") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin ansi-styles@5.2.0 (declares Node.js >=10).

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

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

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

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

## Links

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

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