# Is micromark-util-character ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> micromark-util-character@2.1.1 is ESM-only. ESM-only — it has never shipped a CommonJS build.

micromark utility to handle character codes

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against micromark-util-character@2.1.1.

micromark-util-character has been ESM-only since its first stable release; there is no CommonJS version to pin.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("micromark-util-character") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. On Node.js 18, which has no require(esm), require("micromark-util-character") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("micromark-util-character") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const micromarkUtilCharacter = await import("micromark-util-character"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports.
3. There is no CommonJS release of micromark-util-character to pin; without require(esm) the only option is a dynamic import().
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 2.1.1 (Nov 12, 2024)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: none
- ESM-only since: 1.0.0 (Jun 22, 2021)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 59.0M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for micromark-util-character@2.1.1

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

| Runtime | require("micromark-util-character") | import "micromark-util-character" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | 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 micromark-util-character

ES modules:

```js
import * as micromarkUtilCharacter from "micromark-util-character";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const micromarkUtilCharacter = require("micromark-util-character");

// Any Node.js version the package supports, from an async function:
async function main() {
  const micromarkUtilCharacter = await import("micromark-util-character");
}
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (7 versions; the newest 7 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 – 2.1.1 | ESM-only | Jun 22, 2021 |

## Frequently asked

**Is micromark-util-character ESM-only?**

micromark-util-character@2.1.1 is ESM-only. micromark-util-character has been ESM-only since its first stable release; there is no CommonJS version to pin.

**Which version of micromark-util-character still supports CommonJS / require()?**

None. micromark-util-character has always been ESM-only. Use import, or a dynamic import("micromark-util-character") from an async function in CommonJS.

**How do I use micromark-util-character from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const micromarkUtilCharacter = await import("micromark-util-character"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("micromark-util-character") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26.

**Does micromark-util-character work in Bun?**

Yes. import "micromark-util-character" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does micromark-util-character ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. micromark-util-character bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [micromark-util-character on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/micromark-util-character)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/micromark/micromark.git#main)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/micromark-util-character/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/micromark-util-character.json)

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