# Is data-uri-to-buffer ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> data-uri-to-buffer@8.0.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 7.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 6.0.2.

Create an ArrayBuffer instance from a Data URI string

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against data-uri-to-buffer@8.0.0.

data-uri-to-buffer dropped its CommonJS build in 7.0.0 (March 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 6.0.2, published Feb 12, 2024; it declares support for Node.js >= 14.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("data-uri-to-buffer") 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 data-uri-to-buffer@8.0.0 declares Node.js >= 20, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

data-uri-to-buffer@8.0.0 declares engines ">= 20", 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("data-uri-to-buffer") 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 dataUriToBuffer = await import("data-uri-to-buffer"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>= 20).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install data-uri-to-buffer@6.0.2, the last CommonJS release (published Feb 12, 2024); it declares Node.js >= 14.
4. data-uri-to-buffer@8.0.0 declares engines ">= 20", 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: 8.0.0 (Apr 1, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 6.0.2
- ESM-only since: 7.0.0 (Mar 11, 2026)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >= 20
- Weekly downloads: 69.1M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for data-uri-to-buffer@8.0.0

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("data-uri-to-buffer") from a CommonJS file and import "data-uri-to-buffer" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("data-uri-to-buffer") | import "data-uri-to-buffer" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 data-uri-to-buffer

ES modules:

```js
import * as dataUriToBuffer from "data-uri-to-buffer";
```

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 dataUriToBuffer = require("data-uri-to-buffer");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>= 20), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const dataUriToBuffer = await import("data-uri-to-buffer");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >= 14):
// npm install data-uri-to-buffer@6.0.2
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (21 versions; the newest 21 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 7.0.0 – 8.0.0 | ESM-only | Mar 11, 2026 |
| 5.0.0 – 6.0.2 | CommonJS | May 4, 2023 |
| 4.0.0 – 4.0.1 | ESM-only | Sep 27, 2021 |
| 0.0.1 – 3.0.1 | CommonJS | Jan 3, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is data-uri-to-buffer ESM-only?**

data-uri-to-buffer@8.0.0 is ESM-only. data-uri-to-buffer dropped its CommonJS build in 7.0.0 (March 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 6.0.2, published Feb 12, 2024; it declares support for Node.js >= 14.

**Which version of data-uri-to-buffer still supports CommonJS / require()?**

6.0.2 is the last version of data-uri-to-buffer with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >= 14. Install it with "npm install data-uri-to-buffer@6.0.2". Every version from 7.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use data-uri-to-buffer from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const dataUriToBuffer = await import("data-uri-to-buffer"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>= 20). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("data-uri-to-buffer") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin data-uri-to-buffer@6.0.2 (declares Node.js >= 14).

**Does data-uri-to-buffer work in Bun?**

Yes. import "data-uri-to-buffer" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does data-uri-to-buffer ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. data-uri-to-buffer bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [data-uri-to-buffer on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/data-uri-to-buffer)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/TooTallNate/proxy-agents)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/data-uri-to-buffer/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/data-uri-to-buffer.json)

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