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Is mysql ESM-only? Can you require() it?

A node.js driver for mysql. It is written in JavaScript, does not require compiling, and is 100% MIT licensed.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against mysql@2.18.1. Markdown · JSON

CommonJS CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test

mysql ships CommonJS only. require("mysql") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.6. import "mysql" 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("mysql") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.6.
  2. From ES modules use the default import: import mysql from "mysql"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
  3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/mysql
Latest
2.18.1 (Jan 23, 2020)
Module format
CommonJS
Last CommonJS version
2.18.1
TypeScript types
@types/mysql
Node engines
>= 0.6
Weekly downloads
1.2M
License
MIT

Does mysql@2.18.1 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("mysql")import "mysql"
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 mysql

ES modules (import)

import mysql from "mysql";

Named imports from a CommonJS package only work when Node.js can statically detect them. If a named import fails, use the default import and destructure.

CommonJS (require)

const mysql = require("mysql");

Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm, corrected where a runtime test of that version contradicted them (54 versions; the newest 54 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
0.1.0 – 2.18.1CommonJSJan 3, 2011

Frequently asked

Is mysql ESM-only?

mysql@2.18.1 is a CommonJS package. mysql ships CommonJS only. require("mysql") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.6. import "mysql" 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 mysql with ES module syntax?

Yes. import mysql from "mysql" 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 mysql work in Bun?

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

Does mysql ship TypeScript types?

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

Links

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