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

> mongoose@9.9.5 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Mongoose MongoDB ODM

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against mongoose@9.9.5.

mongoose ships CommonJS only. require("mongoose") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.19.0. import "mongoose" 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("mongoose") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.19.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import mongoose from "mongoose"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 9.9.5 (Sep 4, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 9.9.5
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=20.19.0
- Weekly downloads: 6.1M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for mongoose@9.9.5

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

| Runtime | require("mongoose") | import "mongoose" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 mongoose

ES modules:

```js
import mongoose from "mongoose";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const mongoose = require("mongoose");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (994 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 8.19.0 – 9.9.5 | CommonJS | Oct 2, 2025 |

## Frequently asked

**Is mongoose ESM-only?**

mongoose@9.9.5 is a CommonJS package. mongoose ships CommonJS only. require("mongoose") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.19.0. import "mongoose" 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 mongoose with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import mongoose from "mongoose" 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 mongoose work in Bun?**

Yes. import "mongoose" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does mongoose ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. mongoose bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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