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

> color@5.0.3 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 5.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 4.2.3.

Color conversion and manipulation with CSS string support

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against color@5.0.3.

color dropped its CommonJS build in 5.0.0 (February 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 4.2.3, published Apr 5, 2022; it declares support for Node.js >=12.5.0.

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

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("color") 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 color = await import("color"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install color@4.2.3, the last CommonJS release (published Apr 5, 2022); it declares Node.js >=12.5.0.
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 5.0.3 (Nov 14, 2025)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 4.2.3
- ESM-only since: 5.0.0 (Feb 12, 2025)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=18
- Weekly downloads: 45.5M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for color@5.0.3

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import * as color from "color";
```

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 color = require("color");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=18), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const color = await import("color");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=12.5.0):
// npm install color@4.2.3
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (51 versions; the newest 51 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0.0 – 5.0.3 | ESM-only | Feb 12, 2025 |
| 0.1.0 – 4.2.3 | CommonJS | Jun 23, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is color ESM-only?**

color@5.0.3 is ESM-only. color dropped its CommonJS build in 5.0.0 (February 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 4.2.3, published Apr 5, 2022; it declares support for Node.js >=12.5.0.

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

4.2.3 is the last version of color with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=12.5.0. Install it with "npm install color@4.2.3". Every version from 5.0.0 on is ESM-only.

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

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const color = await import("color"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("color") 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@4.2.3 (declares Node.js >=12.5.0).

**Does color work in Bun?**

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

**Does color ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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