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

> css-select@7.0.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 7.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 6.0.0.

a CSS selector compiler/engine

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against css-select@7.0.0.

css-select dropped its CommonJS build in 7.0.0 (March 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 6.0.0, published Jun 29, 2025.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("css-select") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and css-select@7.0.0 declares Node.js >=20.19.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

css-select@7.0.0 declares engines ">=20.19.0", so Node.js 18 is outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("css-select") 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 cssSelect = await import("css-select"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=20.19.0).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install css-select@6.0.0, the last CommonJS release (published Jun 29, 2025).
4. css-select@7.0.0 declares engines ">=20.19.0", so Node.js 18 is unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 7.0.0 (Mar 22, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 6.0.0
- ESM-only since: 7.0.0 (Mar 22, 2026)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=20.19.0
- Weekly downloads: 70.6M
- License: BSD-2-Clause

## Runtime test results for css-select@7.0.0

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

| Runtime | require("css-select") | import "css-select" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 css-select

ES modules:

```js
import * as cssSelect from "css-select";
```

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 cssSelect = require("css-select");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=20.19.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const cssSelect = await import("css-select");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install css-select@6.0.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (30 versions; the newest 30 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 7.0.0 | ESM-only | Mar 22, 2026 |
| 5.0.0 – 6.0.0 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Apr 24, 2022 |
| 1.0.0 – 4.3.0 | CommonJS | Feb 3, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is css-select ESM-only?**

css-select@7.0.0 is ESM-only. css-select dropped its CommonJS build in 7.0.0 (March 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 6.0.0, published Jun 29, 2025.

**Which version of css-select still supports CommonJS / require()?**

6.0.0 is the last version of css-select with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install css-select@6.0.0". Every version from 7.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use css-select from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const cssSelect = await import("css-select"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=20.19.0). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("css-select") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin css-select@6.0.0.

**Does css-select work in Bun?**

Yes. import "css-select" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does css-select ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. css-select bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [css-select on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/css-select)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/fb55/css-select)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/css-select/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/css-select.json)

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