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Is deep-eql ESM-only? Can you require() it?

Improved deep equality testing for Node.js and the browser.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against deep-eql@5.0.2. Markdown · JSON

ESM-only ESM-only since 5.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 4.1.4

deep-eql dropped its CommonJS build in 5.0.0 (October 2023). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 4.1.4, published Jun 5, 2024; it declares support for Node.js >=6.

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

What to do

  1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("deep-eql") 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 deepEql = await import("deep-eql"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=6).
  3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install deep-eql@4.1.4, the last CommonJS release (published Jun 5, 2024); it declares Node.js >=6.
  4. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/deep-eql
Latest
5.0.2 (Jun 3, 2024)
Module format
ESM-only
Last CommonJS version
4.1.4
ESM-only since
5.0.0 (Oct 18, 2023)
TypeScript types
@types/deep-eql
Node engines
>=6
Weekly downloads
51.2M
License
MIT

Does deep-eql@5.0.2 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("deep-eql")import "deep-eql"
Node.js 18✗ failsERR_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 deep-eql

ES modules (import)

import * as deepEql from "deep-eql";

Namespace import shown because the ESM entry may have no default export; use named imports for what it exports.

CommonJS (require)

// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const deepEql = require("deep-eql");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=6), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const deepEql = await import("deep-eql");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=6):
// npm install deep-eql@4.1.4

Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm, corrected where a runtime test of that version contradicted them (23 versions; the newest 23 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
5.0.0 – 5.0.2ESM-onlyOct 18, 2023
0.1.0 – 4.1.4CommonJSSep 18, 2013

Frequently asked

Is deep-eql ESM-only?

deep-eql@5.0.2 is ESM-only. deep-eql dropped its CommonJS build in 5.0.0 (October 2023). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 4.1.4, published Jun 5, 2024; it declares support for Node.js >=6.

Which version of deep-eql still supports CommonJS / require()?

4.1.4 is the last version of deep-eql with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=6. Install it with "npm install deep-eql@4.1.4". Every version from 5.0.0 on is ESM-only.

How do I use deep-eql from a CommonJS file?

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const deepEql = await import("deep-eql"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=6). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("deep-eql") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin deep-eql@4.1.4 (declares Node.js >=6).

Does deep-eql work in Bun?

Yes. import "deep-eql" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

Does deep-eql ship TypeScript types?

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

Links

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