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

> graphql@17.0.2 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too.

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Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against graphql@17.0.2.

graphql publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 17.0.0). require("graphql") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js ^22.0.0 || ^24.0.0 || ^25.0.0 || >=26.0.0. import "graphql" works alongside it.

## What to do

1. Nothing to change. require("graphql") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js ^22.0.0 || ^24.0.0 || ^25.0.0 || >=26.0.0. import * as graphql from "graphql" works alongside it; use named imports for what the ESM entry exports.
2. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 17.0.2 (Jul 3, 2026)
- Module format: Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
- Last CommonJS version: 17.0.2
- Native ESM since: 17.0.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: ^22.0.0 || ^24.0.0 || ^25.0.0 || >=26.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 42.0M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for graphql@17.0.2

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

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

ES modules:

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

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

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (147 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 17.0.0 – 17.0.2 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Jun 15, 2026 |
| 14.4.0 – 16.14.2 | CommonJS | Jun 26, 2019 |

## Frequently asked

**Is graphql ESM-only?**

graphql@17.0.2 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. graphql publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 17.0.0). require("graphql") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js ^22.0.0 || ^24.0.0 || ^25.0.0 || >=26.0.0. import "graphql" works alongside it.

**Can I require graphql?**

Yes. graphql ships a CommonJS entry alongside the native ESM entry. require("graphql") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js ^22.0.0 || ^24.0.0 || ^25.0.0 || >=26.0.0.

**Does graphql work in Bun?**

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

**Does graphql ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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