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

> fast-xml-parser@5.11.1 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too.

Validate XML, Parse XML, Build XML without C/C++ based libraries

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against fast-xml-parser@5.11.1.

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

## What to do

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

## Facts

- Latest: 5.11.1 (Aug 27, 2026)
- Module format: Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
- Last CommonJS version: 5.11.1
- Native ESM since: 5.0.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 57.8M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for fast-xml-parser@5.11.1

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

| Runtime | require("fast-xml-parser") | import "fast-xml-parser" |
|---|---|---|
| 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-xml-parser

ES modules:

```js
import * as fastXmlParser from "fast-xml-parser";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
const fastXmlParser = require("fast-xml-parser");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (192 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0.0 – 5.11.1 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Feb 19, 2025 |
| 4.5.5 – 4.5.7 | CommonJS | Mar 22, 2026 |

## Frequently asked

**Is fast-xml-parser ESM-only?**

fast-xml-parser@5.11.1 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. fast-xml-parser publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 5.0.0). require("fast-xml-parser") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "fast-xml-parser" works alongside it.

**Can I require fast-xml-parser?**

Yes. fast-xml-parser ships a CommonJS entry alongside the native ESM entry. require("fast-xml-parser") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun.

**Does fast-xml-parser work in Bun?**

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

**Does fast-xml-parser ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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