# Is htmlparser2 ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> htmlparser2@12.0.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 11.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 10.1.0.

Fast & forgiving HTML/XML parser

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against htmlparser2@12.0.0.

htmlparser2 dropped its CommonJS build in 11.0.0 (March 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 10.1.0, published Jan 21, 2026.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("htmlparser2") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and htmlparser2@12.0.0 declares Node.js >=20.19.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

htmlparser2@12.0.0 declares engines ">=20.19.0", so Node.js 18 is outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("htmlparser2") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const htmlparser2 = await import("htmlparser2"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=20.19.0).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install htmlparser2@10.1.0, the last CommonJS release (published Jan 21, 2026).
4. htmlparser2@12.0.0 declares engines ">=20.19.0", so Node.js 18 is unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 12.0.0 (Mar 20, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 10.1.0
- ESM-only since: 11.0.0 (Mar 19, 2026)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=20.19.0
- Weekly downloads: 64.7M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for htmlparser2@12.0.0

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("htmlparser2") from a CommonJS file and import "htmlparser2" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("htmlparser2") | import "htmlparser2" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | 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 htmlparser2

ES modules:

```js
import * as htmlparser2 from "htmlparser2";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const htmlparser2 = require("htmlparser2");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=20.19.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const htmlparser2 = await import("htmlparser2");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install htmlparser2@10.1.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (80 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 11.0.0 – 12.0.0 | ESM-only | Mar 19, 2026 |
| 8.0.0 – 10.1.0 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Apr 23, 2022 |
| 2.5.1 – 7.2.0 | CommonJS | Jan 9, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is htmlparser2 ESM-only?**

htmlparser2@12.0.0 is ESM-only. htmlparser2 dropped its CommonJS build in 11.0.0 (March 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 10.1.0, published Jan 21, 2026.

**Which version of htmlparser2 still supports CommonJS / require()?**

10.1.0 is the last version of htmlparser2 with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install htmlparser2@10.1.0". Every version from 11.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use htmlparser2 from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const htmlparser2 = await import("htmlparser2"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=20.19.0). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("htmlparser2") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin htmlparser2@10.1.0.

**Does htmlparser2 work in Bun?**

Yes. import "htmlparser2" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does htmlparser2 ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. htmlparser2 bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [htmlparser2 on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/htmlparser2)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/fb55/htmlparser2)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/htmlparser2/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/htmlparser2.json)

---

For scripts and AI agents: any package is at https://canirequire.com/package/<name>/index.md (Markdown) or https://canirequire.com/package/<name>.json (JSON); the site index is https://canirequire.com/llms.txt. Fetch the URL directly; no search needed.