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

> deep-equal@2.2.3 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

node's assert.deepEqual algorithm

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against deep-equal@2.2.3.

deep-equal ships CommonJS only. require("deep-equal") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.4. import "deep-equal" 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("deep-equal") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.4.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import deepEqual from "deep-equal"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/deep-equal

## Facts

- Latest: 2.2.3 (Nov 9, 2023)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 2.2.3
- TypeScript types: @types/deep-equal
- Node engines: >= 0.4
- Weekly downloads: 27.8M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for deep-equal@2.2.3

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

| Runtime | require("deep-equal") | import "deep-equal" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 deep-equal

ES modules:

```js
import deepEqual from "deep-equal";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const deepEqual = require("deep-equal");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (22 versions; the newest 22 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0.0 – 2.2.3 | CommonJS | Feb 11, 2012 |

## Frequently asked

**Is deep-equal ESM-only?**

deep-equal@2.2.3 is a CommonJS package. deep-equal ships CommonJS only. require("deep-equal") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.4. import "deep-equal" 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 deep-equal with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import deepEqual from "deep-equal" 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 deep-equal work in Bun?**

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

**Does deep-equal ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

- [deep-equal on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/deep-equal)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/inspect-js/node-deep-equal)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/deep-equal/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/deep-equal.json)

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