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Is express-validator ESM-only? Can you require() it?

Express middleware for the validator module.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against express-validator@7.3.2. Markdown · JSON

CommonJS CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test

express-validator ships CommonJS only. require("express-validator") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 8.0.0. import "express-validator" 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("express-validator") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 8.0.0.
  2. From ES modules use the default import: import expressValidator from "express-validator"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
  3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.
Latest
7.3.2 (Apr 1, 2026)
Module format
CommonJS
Last CommonJS version
7.3.2
TypeScript types
Bundled
Node engines
>= 8.0.0
Weekly downloads
1.6M
License
MIT

Does express-validator@7.3.2 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("express-validator")import "express-validator"
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 express-validator

ES modules (import)

import expressValidator from "express-validator";

Named imports from a CommonJS package only work when Node.js can statically detect them. If a named import fails, use the default import and destructure.

CommonJS (require)

const expressValidator = require("express-validator");

Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm, corrected where a runtime test of that version contradicted them (125 versions; the newest 60 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
3.1.2 – 7.3.2CommonJSDec 26, 2016

Frequently asked

Is express-validator ESM-only?

express-validator@7.3.2 is a CommonJS package. express-validator ships CommonJS only. require("express-validator") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 8.0.0. import "express-validator" 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 express-validator with ES module syntax?

Yes. import expressValidator from "express-validator" 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 express-validator work in Bun?

Yes. import "express-validator" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

Does express-validator ship TypeScript types?

Yes. express-validator bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

Links

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