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

> make-error@1.3.6 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Make your own error types!

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against make-error@1.3.6.

make-error ships CommonJS only. require("make-error") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "make-error" 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("make-error") 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 makeError from "make-error"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: no types are available for make-error; declare the module yourself if you need them.

## Facts

- Latest: 1.3.6 (Feb 19, 2020)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 1.3.6
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 44.3M
- License: ISC

## Runtime test results for make-error@1.3.6

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

| Runtime | require("make-error") | import "make-error" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 make-error

ES modules:

```js
import makeError from "make-error";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const makeError = require("make-error");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (22 versions; the newest 22 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0.0 – 1.3.6 | CommonJS | Oct 8, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is make-error ESM-only?**

make-error@1.3.6 is a CommonJS package. make-error ships CommonJS only. require("make-error") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "make-error" 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 make-error with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import makeError from "make-error" 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 make-error work in Bun?**

Yes. import "make-error" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does make-error ship TypeScript types?**

No. make-error ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

## Links

- [make-error on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/make-error)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/JsCommunity/make-error)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/make-error/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/make-error.json)

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