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

> inherits@2.0.4 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Browser-friendly inheritance fully compatible with standard node.js inherits()

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against inherits@2.0.4.

inherits ships CommonJS only. require("inherits") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "inherits" 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("inherits") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import inherits from "inherits"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/inherits

## Facts

- Latest: 2.0.4 (Jun 19, 2019)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 2.0.4
- TypeScript types: @types/inherits
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 178.5M
- License: ISC

## Runtime test results for inherits@2.0.4

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import inherits from "inherits";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (7 versions; the newest 7 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 – 2.0.4 | CommonJS | Apr 7, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is inherits ESM-only?**

inherits@2.0.4 is a CommonJS package. inherits ships CommonJS only. require("inherits") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "inherits" 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 inherits with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does inherits ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/inherits".

## Links

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