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

> fast-equals@6.0.3 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too.

A blazing-fast equality comparison utility for a variety of use-cases

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against fast-equals@6.0.3.

fast-equals publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 5.0.0). require("fast-equals") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6.0.0. import "fast-equals" works alongside it.

## What to do

1. Nothing to change. require("fast-equals") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6.0.0. import * as fastEquals from "fast-equals" works alongside it; use named imports for what the ESM entry exports.
2. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 6.0.3 (Sep 3, 2026)
- Module format: Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
- Last CommonJS version: 6.0.3
- Native ESM since: 5.0.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=6.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 44.7M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for fast-equals@6.0.3

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

| Runtime | require("fast-equals") | import "fast-equals" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 fast-equals

ES modules:

```js
import * as fastEquals from "fast-equals";
```

Namespace import shown because the ESM entry may have no default export; use named imports for what it exports.

CommonJS:

```js
const fastEquals = require("fast-equals");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (56 versions; the newest 56 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0.0 – 6.0.3 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Mar 5, 2023 |
| 1.0.0 – 4.0.3 | CommonJS | Oct 15, 2017 |

## Frequently asked

**Is fast-equals ESM-only?**

fast-equals@6.0.3 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. fast-equals publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 5.0.0). require("fast-equals") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6.0.0. import "fast-equals" works alongside it.

**Can I require fast-equals?**

Yes. fast-equals ships a CommonJS entry alongside the native ESM entry. require("fast-equals") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6.0.0.

**Does fast-equals work in Bun?**

Yes. import "fast-equals" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does fast-equals ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. fast-equals bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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