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Is base64-js ESM-only? Can you require() it?

Base64 encoding/decoding in pure JS

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against base64-js@1.5.1. Markdown · JSON

CommonJS CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test

base64-js ships CommonJS only. require("base64-js") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "base64-js" 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("base64-js") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun.
  2. From ES modules use the default import: import base64Js from "base64-js"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
  3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.
Latest
1.5.1 (Nov 11, 2020)
Module format
CommonJS
Last CommonJS version
1.5.1
TypeScript types
Bundled
Node engines
not declared
Weekly downloads
100.7M
License
MIT

Does base64-js@1.5.1 actually load? Runtime test results

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("base64-js") from a CommonJS file and import "base64-js" from an ES module.

Runtimerequire("base64-js")import "base64-js"
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 base64-js

ES modules (import)

import base64Js from "base64-js";

Named imports from a CommonJS package only work when Node.js can statically detect them. If a named import fails, use the default import and destructure.

CommonJS (require)

const base64Js = require("base64-js");

Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm, corrected where a runtime test of that version contradicted them (23 versions; the newest 23 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
0.0.1 – 1.5.1CommonJSNov 26, 2011

Frequently asked

Is base64-js ESM-only?

base64-js@1.5.1 is a CommonJS package. base64-js ships CommonJS only. require("base64-js") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "base64-js" 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 base64-js with ES module syntax?

Yes. import base64Js from "base64-js" 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 base64-js work in Bun?

Yes. import "base64-js" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

Does base64-js ship TypeScript types?

Yes. base64-js bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

Links

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