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

> multer@2.3.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Middleware for handling `multipart/form-data`.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against multer@2.3.0.

multer ships CommonJS only. require("multer") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 10.16.0. import "multer" 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("multer") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 10.16.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import multer from "multer"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/multer

## Facts

- Latest: 2.3.0 (Aug 28, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 2.3.0
- TypeScript types: @types/multer
- Node engines: >= 10.16.0
- Weekly downloads: 14.9M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for multer@2.3.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import multer from "multer";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (39 versions; the newest 39 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0.1 – 2.3.0 | CommonJS | Feb 1, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is multer ESM-only?**

multer@2.3.0 is a CommonJS package. multer ships CommonJS only. require("multer") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 10.16.0. import "multer" 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 multer with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does multer ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/multer".

## Links

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

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