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

> cookie-parser@1.4.7 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Parse HTTP request cookies

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against cookie-parser@1.4.7.

cookie-parser ships CommonJS only. require("cookie-parser") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.8.0. import "cookie-parser" 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("cookie-parser") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.8.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import cookieParser from "cookie-parser"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/cookie-parser

## Facts

- Latest: 1.4.7 (Oct 8, 2024)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 1.4.7
- TypeScript types: @types/cookie-parser
- Node engines: >= 0.8.0
- Weekly downloads: 10.3M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for cookie-parser@1.4.7

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

| Runtime | require("cookie-parser") | import "cookie-parser" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 cookie-parser

ES modules:

```js
import cookieParser from "cookie-parser";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const cookieParser = require("cookie-parser");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (18 versions; the newest 18 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 – 1.4.7 | CommonJS | Feb 15, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is cookie-parser ESM-only?**

cookie-parser@1.4.7 is a CommonJS package. cookie-parser ships CommonJS only. require("cookie-parser") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.8.0. import "cookie-parser" 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 cookie-parser with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import cookieParser from "cookie-parser" 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 cookie-parser work in Bun?**

Yes. import "cookie-parser" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does cookie-parser ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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