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

> cors@2.8.6 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Node.js CORS middleware

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against cors@2.8.6.

cors ships CommonJS only. require("cors") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.10. import "cors" 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("cors") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.10.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import cors from "cors"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/cors

## Facts

- Latest: 2.8.6 (Jan 22, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 2.8.6
- TypeScript types: @types/cors
- Node engines: >= 0.10
- Weekly downloads: 69.7M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for cors@2.8.6

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import cors from "cors";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (35 versions; the newest 35 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0.1 – 2.8.6 | CommonJS | Jan 31, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is cors ESM-only?**

cors@2.8.6 is a CommonJS package. cors ships CommonJS only. require("cors") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.10. import "cors" 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 cors with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does cors ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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