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

> color-name@2.1.1 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 2.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 1.1.4.

A list of color names and its values

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against color-name@2.1.1.

color-name dropped its CommonJS build in 2.0.0 (November 2022). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 1.1.4, published Sep 21, 2018.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("color-name") 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("color-name") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("color-name") 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 colorName = await import("color-name"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=12.20).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install color-name@1.1.4, the last CommonJS release (published Sep 21, 2018).
4. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/color-name

## Facts

- Latest: 2.1.1 (Jul 22, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 1.1.4
- ESM-only since: 2.0.0 (Nov 8, 2022)
- TypeScript types: @types/color-name
- Node engines: >=12.20
- Weekly downloads: 306.6M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for color-name@2.1.1

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

| Runtime | require("color-name") | import "color-name" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 color-name

ES modules:

```js
import * as colorName from "color-name";
```

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 colorName = require("color-name");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=12.20), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const colorName = await import("color-name");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install color-name@1.1.4
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (13 versions; the newest 13 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0.0 – 2.1.1 | ESM-only | Nov 8, 2022 |
| 0.0.1 – 1.1.4 | CommonJS | Nov 23, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is color-name ESM-only?**

color-name@2.1.1 is ESM-only. color-name dropped its CommonJS build in 2.0.0 (November 2022). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 1.1.4, published Sep 21, 2018.

**Which version of color-name still supports CommonJS / require()?**

1.1.4 is the last version of color-name with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install color-name@1.1.4". Every version from 2.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use color-name from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const colorName = await import("color-name"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=12.20). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("color-name") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin color-name@1.1.4.

**Does color-name work in Bun?**

Yes. import "color-name" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does color-name ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

- [color-name on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/color-name)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/colorjs/color-name)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/color-name/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/color-name.json)

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