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

> figlet@1.11.4 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too.

Creates ASCII Art from text. A full implementation of the FIGfont spec.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against figlet@1.11.4.

figlet publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 1.9.0). require("figlet") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 17.0.0. import "figlet" works alongside it.

## What to do

1. Nothing to change. require("figlet") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 17.0.0. import * as figlet from "figlet" works alongside it; use named imports for what the ESM entry exports.
2. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 1.11.4 (Jul 27, 2026)
- Module format: Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
- Last CommonJS version: 1.11.4
- Native ESM since: 1.9.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >= 17.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 2.4M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for figlet@1.11.4

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import * as figlet from "figlet";
```

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

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (37 versions; the newest 37 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.9.0 – 1.11.4 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Sep 8, 2025 |
| 1.0.1 – 1.8.2 | CommonJS | Dec 23, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is figlet ESM-only?**

figlet@1.11.4 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. figlet publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 1.9.0). require("figlet") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 17.0.0. import "figlet" works alongside it.

**Can I require figlet?**

Yes. figlet ships a CommonJS entry alongside the native ESM entry. require("figlet") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 17.0.0.

**Does figlet work in Bun?**

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

**Does figlet ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. figlet bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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