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

> finalhandler@2.1.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Node.js final http responder

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against finalhandler@2.1.1.

finalhandler ships CommonJS only. require("finalhandler") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 18.0.0. import "finalhandler" 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("finalhandler") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 18.0.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import finalhandler from "finalhandler"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/finalhandler

## Facts

- Latest: 2.1.1 (Dec 1, 2025)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 2.1.1
- TypeScript types: @types/finalhandler
- Node engines: >= 18.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 132.1M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for finalhandler@2.1.1

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import finalhandler from "finalhandler";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (35 versions; the newest 35 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0.0 – 2.1.1 | CommonJS | Jun 6, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is finalhandler ESM-only?**

finalhandler@2.1.1 is a CommonJS package. finalhandler ships CommonJS only. require("finalhandler") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 18.0.0. import "finalhandler" 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 finalhandler with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import finalhandler from "finalhandler" 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 finalhandler work in Bun?**

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

**Does finalhandler ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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