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

> lru-cache@11.5.2 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too.

A cache object that deletes the least-recently-used items.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against lru-cache@11.5.2.

lru-cache publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 7.15.0). require("lru-cache") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js 20 || >=22. import "lru-cache" works alongside it.

## What to do

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

## Facts

- Latest: 11.5.2 (Jul 7, 2026)
- Module format: Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
- Last CommonJS version: 11.5.2
- Native ESM since: 7.15.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: 20 || >=22
- Weekly downloads: 390.6M
- License: BlueOak-1.0.0

## Runtime test results for lru-cache@11.5.2

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

| Runtime | require("lru-cache") | import "lru-cache" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 lru-cache

ES modules:

```js
import * as lruCache from "lru-cache";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
const lruCache = require("lru-cache");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (163 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 7.16.0 – 11.5.2 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Feb 16, 2023 |

## Frequently asked

**Is lru-cache ESM-only?**

lru-cache@11.5.2 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. lru-cache publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 7.15.0). require("lru-cache") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js 20 || >=22. import "lru-cache" works alongside it.

**Can I require lru-cache?**

Yes. lru-cache ships a CommonJS entry alongside the native ESM entry. require("lru-cache") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js 20 || >=22.

**Does lru-cache work in Bun?**

Yes. import "lru-cache" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does lru-cache ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. lru-cache bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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