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

> form-data@4.0.6 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

A library to create readable "multipart/form-data" streams. Can be used to submit forms and file uploads to other web applications.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against form-data@4.0.6.

form-data ships CommonJS only. require("form-data") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 6. import "form-data" 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("form-data") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 6.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import formData from "form-data"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 4.0.6 (Jun 12, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 4.0.6
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >= 6
- Weekly downloads: 153.6M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for form-data@4.0.6

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

| Runtime | require("form-data") | import "form-data" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 form-data

ES modules:

```js
import formData from "form-data";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const formData = require("form-data");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (48 versions; the newest 48 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0.0 – 4.0.6 | CommonJS | May 16, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is form-data ESM-only?**

form-data@4.0.6 is a CommonJS package. form-data ships CommonJS only. require("form-data") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 6. import "form-data" 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 form-data with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import formData from "form-data" 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 form-data work in Bun?**

Yes. import "form-data" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does form-data ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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