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

> file-type@22.0.2 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 17.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 16.5.4.

Detect the file type of a file, stream, or data

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against file-type@22.0.2.

file-type dropped its CommonJS build in 17.0.0 (November 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 16.5.4, published Jul 21, 2022; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (file-type@22.0.2 declares Node.js >=22), require("file-type") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and file-type@22.0.2 declares Node.js >=22, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

file-type@22.0.2 declares engines ">=22", so Node.js 18, 20 are outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (file-type@22.0.2 declares Node.js >=22), require("file-type") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const fileType = await import("file-type"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=22).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install file-type@16.5.4, the last CommonJS release (published Jul 21, 2022); it declares Node.js >=10.
4. file-type@22.0.2 declares engines ">=22", so Node.js 18, 20 are unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 22.0.2 (Aug 15, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 16.5.4
- ESM-only since: 17.0.0 (Nov 24, 2021)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=22
- Weekly downloads: 40.4M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for file-type@22.0.2

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

| Runtime | require("file-type") | import "file-type" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | fails (SyntaxError) |
| 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 file-type

ES modules:

```js
import * as fileType from "file-type";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const fileType = require("file-type");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=22), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const fileType = await import("file-type");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=10):
// npm install file-type@16.5.4
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (170 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 17.0.0 – 22.0.2 | ESM-only | Nov 24, 2021 |
| 15.0.1 – 16.5.4 | CommonJS | Sep 14, 2020 |

## Frequently asked

**Is file-type ESM-only?**

file-type@22.0.2 is ESM-only. file-type dropped its CommonJS build in 17.0.0 (November 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 16.5.4, published Jul 21, 2022; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

**Which version of file-type still supports CommonJS / require()?**

16.5.4 is the last version of file-type with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=10. Install it with "npm install file-type@16.5.4". Every version from 17.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use file-type from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const fileType = await import("file-type"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=22). On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (file-type@22.0.2 declares Node.js >=22), require("file-type") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin file-type@16.5.4 (declares Node.js >=10).

**Does file-type work in Bun?**

Yes. import "file-type" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does file-type ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

- [file-type on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/file-type)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/sindresorhus/file-type)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/file-type/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/file-type.json)

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