# Is escape-string-regexp ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> escape-string-regexp@5.0.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 5.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 4.0.0.

Escape RegExp special characters

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against escape-string-regexp@5.0.0.

escape-string-regexp dropped its CommonJS build in 5.0.0 (April 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 4.0.0, published Apr 23, 2020; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("escape-string-regexp") 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("escape-string-regexp") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("escape-string-regexp") 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 escapeStringRegexp = await import("escape-string-regexp"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=12).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install escape-string-regexp@4.0.0, the last CommonJS release (published Apr 23, 2020); it declares Node.js >=10.
4. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/escape-string-regexp

## Facts

- Latest: 5.0.0 (Apr 17, 2021)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 4.0.0
- ESM-only since: 5.0.0 (Apr 17, 2021)
- TypeScript types: @types/escape-string-regexp
- Node engines: >=12
- Weekly downloads: 316.5M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for escape-string-regexp@5.0.0

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

| Runtime | require("escape-string-regexp") | import "escape-string-regexp" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 escape-string-regexp

ES modules:

```js
import * as escapeStringRegexp from "escape-string-regexp";
```

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 escapeStringRegexp = require("escape-string-regexp");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=12), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const escapeStringRegexp = await import("escape-string-regexp");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=10):
// npm install escape-string-regexp@4.0.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (10 versions; the newest 10 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0.0 | ESM-only | Apr 17, 2021 |
| 1.0.0 – 4.0.0 | CommonJS | Jun 24, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is escape-string-regexp ESM-only?**

escape-string-regexp@5.0.0 is ESM-only. escape-string-regexp dropped its CommonJS build in 5.0.0 (April 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 4.0.0, published Apr 23, 2020; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

**Which version of escape-string-regexp still supports CommonJS / require()?**

4.0.0 is the last version of escape-string-regexp with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=10. Install it with "npm install escape-string-regexp@4.0.0". Every version from 5.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use escape-string-regexp from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const escapeStringRegexp = await import("escape-string-regexp"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=12). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("escape-string-regexp") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin escape-string-regexp@4.0.0 (declares Node.js >=10).

**Does escape-string-regexp work in Bun?**

Yes. import "escape-string-regexp" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does escape-string-regexp ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/escape-string-regexp".

## Links

- [escape-string-regexp on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/escape-string-regexp)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/sindresorhus/escape-string-regexp)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/escape-string-regexp/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/escape-string-regexp.json)

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