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

> fast-levenshtein@3.0.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Efficient implementation of Levenshtein algorithm  with locale-specific collator support.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against fast-levenshtein@3.0.0.

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

## Facts

- Latest: 3.0.0 (Jul 22, 2020)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 3.0.0
- TypeScript types: @types/fast-levenshtein
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 99.6M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for fast-levenshtein@3.0.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import fastLevenshtein from "fast-levenshtein";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const fastLevenshtein = require("fast-levenshtein");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (20 versions; the newest 20 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 – 3.0.0 | CommonJS | Apr 18, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is fast-levenshtein ESM-only?**

fast-levenshtein@3.0.0 is a CommonJS package. fast-levenshtein ships CommonJS only. require("fast-levenshtein") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "fast-levenshtein" 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 fast-levenshtein with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import fastLevenshtein from "fast-levenshtein" 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 fast-levenshtein work in Bun?**

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

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

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

## Links

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

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