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

> handlebars@4.7.9 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Handlebars provides the power necessary to let you build semantic templates effectively with no frustration

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against handlebars@4.7.9.

handlebars ships CommonJS only. require("handlebars") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.4.7. import "handlebars" 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("handlebars") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.4.7.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import handlebars from "handlebars"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 4.7.9 (Mar 26, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 4.7.9
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=0.4.7
- Weekly downloads: 28.8M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for handlebars@4.7.9

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import handlebars from "handlebars";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (71 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2.1 – 4.7.9 | CommonJS | Dec 26, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is handlebars ESM-only?**

handlebars@4.7.9 is a CommonJS package. handlebars ships CommonJS only. require("handlebars") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.4.7. import "handlebars" 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 handlebars with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does handlebars ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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