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

> colors@1.4.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

get colors in your node.js console

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against colors@1.4.0.

colors ships CommonJS only. require("colors") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.1.90. import "colors" 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("colors") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.1.90.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import colors from "colors"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/colors

## Facts

- Latest: 1.4.0 (Sep 22, 2019)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 1.4.0
- TypeScript types: @types/colors
- Node engines: >=0.1.90
- Weekly downloads: 23.4M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for colors@1.4.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import colors from "colors";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (24 versions; the newest 24 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.3.0 – 1.4.0 | CommonJS | Mar 15, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is colors ESM-only?**

colors@1.4.0 is a CommonJS package. colors ships CommonJS only. require("colors") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.1.90. import "colors" 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 colors with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does colors ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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