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

> node-fetch@3.3.2 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 3.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 2.7.0.

A light-weight module that brings Fetch API to node.js

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against node-fetch@3.3.2.

node-fetch dropped its CommonJS build in 3.0.0 (August 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 2.7.0, published Aug 23, 2023; it declares support for Node.js 4.x || >=6.0.0.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("node-fetch") 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("node-fetch") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("node-fetch") 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 nodeFetch = await import("node-fetch"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^12.20.0 || ^14.13.1 || >=16.0.0).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install node-fetch@2.7.0, the last CommonJS release (published Aug 23, 2023); it declares Node.js 4.x || >=6.0.0.
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 3.3.2 (Jul 25, 2023)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 2.7.0
- ESM-only since: 3.0.0 (Aug 31, 2021)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: ^12.20.0 || ^14.13.1 || >=16.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 172.9M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for node-fetch@3.3.2

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

| Runtime | require("node-fetch") | import "node-fetch" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 node-fetch

ES modules:

```js
import * as nodeFetch from "node-fetch";
```

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 nodeFetch = require("node-fetch");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (^12.20.0 || ^14.13.1 || >=16.0.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const nodeFetch = await import("node-fetch");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js 4.x || >=6.0.0):
// npm install node-fetch@2.7.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (73 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0.0 – 3.3.2 | ESM-only | Aug 31, 2021 |
| 1.3.0 – 2.7.0 | CommonJS | Jun 4, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is node-fetch ESM-only?**

node-fetch@3.3.2 is ESM-only. node-fetch dropped its CommonJS build in 3.0.0 (August 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 2.7.0, published Aug 23, 2023; it declares support for Node.js 4.x || >=6.0.0.

**Which version of node-fetch still supports CommonJS / require()?**

2.7.0 is the last version of node-fetch with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js 4.x || >=6.0.0. Install it with "npm install node-fetch@2.7.0". Every version from 3.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use node-fetch from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const nodeFetch = await import("node-fetch"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^12.20.0 || ^14.13.1 || >=16.0.0). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("node-fetch") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin node-fetch@2.7.0 (declares Node.js 4.x || >=6.0.0).

**Does node-fetch work in Bun?**

Yes. import "node-fetch" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does node-fetch ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. node-fetch bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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