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

> events@3.3.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Node's event emitter for all engines.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against events@3.3.0.

events ships CommonJS only. require("events") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.8.x. import "events" 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("events") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.8.x.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import events from "events"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/events

## Facts

- Latest: 3.3.0 (Feb 27, 2021)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 3.3.0
- TypeScript types: @types/events
- Node engines: >=0.8.x
- Weekly downloads: 63.8M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for events@3.3.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import events from "events";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (17 versions; the newest 17 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.0 – 3.3.0 | CommonJS | Apr 22, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is events ESM-only?**

events@3.3.0 is a CommonJS package. events ships CommonJS only. require("events") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.8.x. import "events" 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 events with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does events ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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