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

> lz-string@1.5.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

LZ-based compression algorithm

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against lz-string@1.5.0.

lz-string ships CommonJS only. require("lz-string") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "lz-string" 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("lz-string") 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 lzString from "lz-string"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 1.5.0 (Mar 4, 2023)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 1.5.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 57.1M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for lz-string@1.5.0

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

| Runtime | require("lz-string") | import "lz-string" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 lz-string

ES modules:

```js
import lzString from "lz-string";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const lzString = require("lz-string");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (9 versions; the newest 9 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.3.3 – 1.5.0 | CommonJS | Oct 27, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is lz-string ESM-only?**

lz-string@1.5.0 is a CommonJS package. lz-string ships CommonJS only. require("lz-string") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "lz-string" 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 lz-string with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import lzString from "lz-string" 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 lz-string work in Bun?**

Yes. import "lz-string" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does lz-string ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. lz-string bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [lz-string on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/lz-string)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/pieroxy/lz-string)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/lz-string/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/lz-string.json)

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