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

> kind-of@6.0.3 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Get the native type of a value.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against kind-of@6.0.3.

kind-of ships CommonJS only. require("kind-of") 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 "kind-of" 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("kind-of") 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 kindOf from "kind-of"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/kind-of

## Facts

- Latest: 6.0.3 (Jan 16, 2020)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 6.0.3
- TypeScript types: @types/kind-of
- Node engines: >=0.10.0
- Weekly downloads: 107.3M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for kind-of@6.0.3

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

| Runtime | require("kind-of") | import "kind-of" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 kind-of

ES modules:

```js
import kindOf from "kind-of";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const kindOf = require("kind-of");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (26 versions; the newest 26 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.0 – 6.0.3 | CommonJS | Sep 26, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is kind-of ESM-only?**

kind-of@6.0.3 is a CommonJS package. kind-of ships CommonJS only. require("kind-of") 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 "kind-of" 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 kind-of with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import kindOf from "kind-of" 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 kind-of work in Bun?**

Yes. import "kind-of" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does kind-of ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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