# Is npm-check-updates ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> npm-check-updates@23.1.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 23.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 22.2.9.

Find newer versions of dependencies than what your package.json allows

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against npm-check-updates@23.1.0.

npm-check-updates dropped its CommonJS build in 23.0.0 (July 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 22.2.9, published Jun 28, 2026; it declares support for Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=24.0.0.

On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (npm-check-updates@23.1.0 declares Node.js ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0), require("npm-check-updates") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and npm-check-updates@23.1.0 declares Node.js ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

npm-check-updates@23.1.0 declares engines "^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0", so Node.js 18, 20 are outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (npm-check-updates@23.1.0 declares Node.js ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0), require("npm-check-updates") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const npmCheckUpdates = await import("npm-check-updates"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0).
3. If you need a synchronous require(): npm install npm-check-updates@22.2.9, the last CommonJS release (published Jun 28, 2026); it declares Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=24.0.0.
4. npm-check-updates@23.1.0 declares engines "^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0", so Node.js 18, 20 are unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 23.1.0 (Aug 23, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 22.2.9
- ESM-only since: 23.0.0 (Jul 26, 2026)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 702K
- License: Apache-2.0

## Runtime test results for npm-check-updates@23.1.0

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

| Runtime | require("npm-check-updates") | import "npm-check-updates" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 npm-check-updates

ES modules:

```js
import * as npmCheckUpdates from "npm-check-updates";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const npmCheckUpdates = require("npm-check-updates");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const npmCheckUpdates = await import("npm-check-updates");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=24.0.0):
// npm install npm-check-updates@22.2.9
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (484 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 23.0.0 – 23.1.0 | ESM-only | Jul 26, 2026 |
| 21.0.0 – 22.2.9 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Apr 14, 2026 |
| 17.1.11 – 20.0.2 | CommonJS | Nov 12, 2024 |

## Frequently asked

**Is npm-check-updates ESM-only?**

npm-check-updates@23.1.0 is ESM-only. npm-check-updates dropped its CommonJS build in 23.0.0 (July 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 22.2.9, published Jun 28, 2026; it declares support for Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=24.0.0.

**Which version of npm-check-updates still supports CommonJS / require()?**

22.2.9 is the last version of npm-check-updates with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=24.0.0. Install it with "npm install npm-check-updates@22.2.9". Every version from 23.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use npm-check-updates from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const npmCheckUpdates = await import("npm-check-updates"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0). On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (npm-check-updates@23.1.0 declares Node.js ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0), require("npm-check-updates") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin npm-check-updates@22.2.9 (declares Node.js ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=24.0.0).

**Does npm-check-updates work in Bun?**

Yes. import "npm-check-updates" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does npm-check-updates ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. npm-check-updates bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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