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

> iconv-lite@0.7.3 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Convert character encodings in pure javascript.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against iconv-lite@0.7.3.

iconv-lite ships CommonJS only. require("iconv-lite") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.10.0. import "iconv-lite" 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("iconv-lite") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.10.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import iconvLite from "iconv-lite"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 0.7.3 (Jul 3, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 0.7.3
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=0.10.0
- Weekly downloads: 257.6M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for iconv-lite@0.7.3

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

| Runtime | require("iconv-lite") | import "iconv-lite" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 iconv-lite

ES modules:

```js
import iconvLite from "iconv-lite";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const iconvLite = require("iconv-lite");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (52 versions; the newest 52 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.0 – 0.7.3 | CommonJS | Nov 9, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is iconv-lite ESM-only?**

iconv-lite@0.7.3 is a CommonJS package. iconv-lite ships CommonJS only. require("iconv-lite") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.10.0. import "iconv-lite" 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 iconv-lite with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import iconvLite from "iconv-lite" 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 iconv-lite work in Bun?**

Yes. import "iconv-lite" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does iconv-lite ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. iconv-lite bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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