# Is dom-serializer ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> dom-serializer@3.1.1 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 3.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 2.0.0.

render domhandler DOM nodes to a string

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against dom-serializer@3.1.1.

dom-serializer dropped its CommonJS build in 3.0.0 (March 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 2.0.0, published Apr 9, 2022.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("dom-serializer") 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 dom-serializer@3.1.1 declares Node.js >=20.19.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

dom-serializer@3.1.1 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("dom-serializer") 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 domSerializer = await import("dom-serializer"). 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 dom-serializer@2.0.0, the last CommonJS release (published Apr 9, 2022).
4. dom-serializer@3.1.1 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: 3.1.1 (May 2, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 2.0.0
- ESM-only since: 3.0.0 (Mar 17, 2026)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=20.19.0
- Weekly downloads: 94.3M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for dom-serializer@3.1.1

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

| Runtime | require("dom-serializer") | import "dom-serializer" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 dom-serializer

ES modules:

```js
import * as domSerializer from "dom-serializer";
```

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 domSerializer = require("dom-serializer");

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

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install dom-serializer@2.0.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (20 versions; the newest 20 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0.0 – 3.1.1 | ESM-only | Mar 17, 2026 |
| 2.0.0 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Apr 9, 2022 |
| 1.4.1 | CommonJS | Apr 9, 2022 |
| 1.4.0 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Apr 9, 2022 |
| 0.0.0 – 1.3.2 | CommonJS | May 20, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is dom-serializer ESM-only?**

dom-serializer@3.1.1 is ESM-only. dom-serializer dropped its CommonJS build in 3.0.0 (March 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 2.0.0, published Apr 9, 2022.

**Which version of dom-serializer still supports CommonJS / require()?**

2.0.0 is the last version of dom-serializer with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install dom-serializer@2.0.0". Every version from 3.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use dom-serializer from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const domSerializer = await import("dom-serializer"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=20.19.0). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("dom-serializer") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin dom-serializer@2.0.0.

**Does dom-serializer work in Bun?**

Yes. import "dom-serializer" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does dom-serializer ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. dom-serializer bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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