# Is js-base64 ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> js-base64@3.9.3 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too.

Yet another Base64 transcoder in pure-JS

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against js-base64@3.9.3.

js-base64 publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 3.6.1). require("js-base64") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "js-base64" works alongside it.

## What to do

1. Nothing to change. require("js-base64") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import * as jsBase64 from "js-base64" works alongside it; use named imports for what the ESM entry exports.
2. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 3.9.3 (Aug 17, 2026)
- Module format: Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
- Last CommonJS version: 3.9.3
- Native ESM since: 3.6.1
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 17.1M
- License: BSD-3-Clause

## Runtime test results for js-base64@3.9.3

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("js-base64") from a CommonJS file and import "js-base64" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("js-base64") | import "js-base64" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 js-base64

ES modules:

```js
import * as jsBase64 from "js-base64";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
const jsBase64 = require("js-base64");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (75 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6.1 – 3.9.3 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | May 22, 2021 |
| 2.4.0 – 3.6.0 | CommonJS | Nov 30, 2017 |

## Frequently asked

**Is js-base64 ESM-only?**

js-base64@3.9.3 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. js-base64 publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 3.6.1). require("js-base64") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "js-base64" works alongside it.

**Can I require js-base64?**

Yes. js-base64 ships a CommonJS entry alongside the native ESM entry. require("js-base64") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun.

**Does js-base64 work in Bun?**

Yes. import "js-base64" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does js-base64 ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. js-base64 bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [js-base64 on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/js-base64)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/dankogai/js-base64)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/js-base64/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/js-base64.json)

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