# Is d3-scale ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> d3-scale@4.0.2 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 4.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 3.3.0.

Encodings that map abstract data to visual representation.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against d3-scale@4.0.2.

d3-scale dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (June 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 3.3.0, published Apr 16, 2021.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("d3-scale") 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("d3-scale") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("d3-scale") 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 d3Scale = await import("d3-scale"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=12).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install d3-scale@3.3.0, the last CommonJS release (published Apr 16, 2021).
4. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/d3-scale

## Facts

- Latest: 4.0.2 (Sep 24, 2021)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 3.3.0
- ESM-only since: 4.0.0 (Jun 5, 2021)
- TypeScript types: @types/d3-scale
- Node engines: >=12
- Weekly downloads: 64.5M
- License: ISC

## Runtime test results for d3-scale@4.0.2

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("d3-scale") from a CommonJS file and import "d3-scale" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("d3-scale") | import "d3-scale" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 d3-scale

ES modules:

```js
import * as d3Scale from "d3-scale";
```

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 d3Scale = require("d3-scale");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=12), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const d3Scale = await import("d3-scale");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install d3-scale@3.3.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (57 versions; the newest 57 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0.0 – 4.0.2 | ESM-only | Jun 5, 2021 |
| 0.0.0 – 3.3.0 | CommonJS | Mar 29, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is d3-scale ESM-only?**

d3-scale@4.0.2 is ESM-only. d3-scale dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (June 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 3.3.0, published Apr 16, 2021.

**Which version of d3-scale still supports CommonJS / require()?**

3.3.0 is the last version of d3-scale with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install d3-scale@3.3.0". Every version from 4.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use d3-scale from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const d3Scale = await import("d3-scale"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=12). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("d3-scale") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin d3-scale@3.3.0.

**Does d3-scale work in Bun?**

Yes. import "d3-scale" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does d3-scale ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/d3-scale".

## Links

- [d3-scale on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/d3-scale)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/d3/d3-scale)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/d3-scale/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/d3-scale.json)

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