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

> chardet@2.2.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Character encoding detector

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against chardet@2.2.0.

chardet ships CommonJS only. require("chardet") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "chardet" 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("chardet") 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 chardet from "chardet"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 2.2.0 (Jun 20, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 2.2.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 53.9M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for chardet@2.2.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import chardet from "chardet";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (30 versions; the newest 30 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0.3 – 2.2.0 | CommonJS | Apr 30, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is chardet ESM-only?**

chardet@2.2.0 is a CommonJS package. chardet ships CommonJS only. require("chardet") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "chardet" 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 chardet with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does chardet ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. chardet bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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