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

> esm@3.2.25 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Tomorrow's ECMAScript modules today!

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against esm@3.2.25.

esm ships CommonJS only. require("esm") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6. import "esm" 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("esm") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import esm from "esm"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/esm

## Facts

- Latest: 3.2.25 (May 17, 2019)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 3.2.25
- TypeScript types: @types/esm
- Node engines: >=6
- Weekly downloads: 6.2M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for esm@3.2.25

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import esm from "esm";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const esm = require("esm");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (140 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0.56 – 3.2.25 | CommonJS | Jun 30, 2018 |

## Frequently asked

**Is esm ESM-only?**

esm@3.2.25 is a CommonJS package. esm ships CommonJS only. require("esm") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6. import "esm" 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 esm with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import esm from "esm" 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 esm work in Bun?**

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

**Does esm ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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