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

> domhandler@6.0.1 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 6.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 5.0.3.

Handler for htmlparser2 that turns pages into a dom

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against domhandler@6.0.1.

domhandler dropped its CommonJS build in 6.0.0 (March 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 5.0.3, published Apr 30, 2022; it declares support for Node.js >= 4.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("domhandler") 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 domhandler@6.0.1 declares Node.js >=20.19.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

domhandler@6.0.1 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("domhandler") 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 domhandler = await import("domhandler"). 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 domhandler@5.0.3, the last CommonJS release (published Apr 30, 2022); it declares Node.js >= 4.
4. domhandler@6.0.1 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: 6.0.1 (Mar 17, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 5.0.3
- ESM-only since: 6.0.0 (Mar 17, 2026)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=20.19.0
- Weekly downloads: 95.1M
- License: BSD-2-Clause

## Runtime test results for domhandler@6.0.1

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

| Runtime | require("domhandler") | import "domhandler" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 domhandler

ES modules:

```js
import * as domhandler from "domhandler";
```

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 domhandler = require("domhandler");

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

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >= 4):
// npm install domhandler@5.0.3
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (35 versions; the newest 35 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0.0 – 6.0.1 | ESM-only | Mar 17, 2026 |
| 5.0.0 – 5.0.3 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Apr 8, 2022 |
| 1.0.0 – 4.3.1 | CommonJS | Aug 14, 2012 |

## Frequently asked

**Is domhandler ESM-only?**

domhandler@6.0.1 is ESM-only. domhandler dropped its CommonJS build in 6.0.0 (March 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 5.0.3, published Apr 30, 2022; it declares support for Node.js >= 4.

**Which version of domhandler still supports CommonJS / require()?**

5.0.3 is the last version of domhandler with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >= 4. Install it with "npm install domhandler@5.0.3". Every version from 6.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use domhandler from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const domhandler = await import("domhandler"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=20.19.0). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("domhandler") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin domhandler@5.0.3 (declares Node.js >= 4).

**Does domhandler work in Bun?**

Yes. import "domhandler" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does domhandler ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. domhandler bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [domhandler on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/domhandler)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/fb55/domhandler)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/domhandler/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/domhandler.json)

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