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

> bcrypt@6.0.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

A bcrypt library for NodeJS.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against bcrypt@6.0.0.

bcrypt ships CommonJS only. require("bcrypt") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 18. import "bcrypt" 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("bcrypt") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 18.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import bcrypt from "bcrypt"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/bcrypt

## Facts

- Latest: 6.0.0 (May 11, 2025)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 6.0.0
- TypeScript types: @types/bcrypt
- Node engines: >= 18
- Weekly downloads: 5.3M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for bcrypt@6.0.0

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

| Runtime | require("bcrypt") | import "bcrypt" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 bcrypt

ES modules:

```js
import bcrypt from "bcrypt";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const bcrypt = require("bcrypt");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (53 versions; the newest 53 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.2 – 6.0.0 | CommonJS | Feb 21, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is bcrypt ESM-only?**

bcrypt@6.0.0 is a CommonJS package. bcrypt ships CommonJS only. require("bcrypt") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 18. import "bcrypt" 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 bcrypt with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import bcrypt from "bcrypt" 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 bcrypt work in Bun?**

Yes. import "bcrypt" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does bcrypt ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/bcrypt".

## Links

- [bcrypt on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/bcrypt)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/kelektiv/node.bcrypt.js)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/bcrypt/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/bcrypt.json)

---

For scripts and AI agents: any package is at https://canirequire.com/package/<name>/index.md (Markdown) or https://canirequire.com/package/<name>.json (JSON); the site index is https://canirequire.com/llms.txt. Fetch the URL directly; no search needed.