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

> p-try@3.0.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 3.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 2.2.0.

`Start a promise chain

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against p-try@3.0.0.

p-try dropped its CommonJS build in 3.0.0 (October 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 2.2.0, published Mar 31, 2019; it declares support for Node.js >=6.

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

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("p-try") 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 pTry = await import("p-try"). 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 p-try@2.2.0, the last CommonJS release (published Mar 31, 2019); it declares Node.js >=6.
4. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/p-try

## Facts

- Latest: 3.0.0 (Oct 4, 2021)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 2.2.0
- ESM-only since: 3.0.0 (Oct 4, 2021)
- TypeScript types: @types/p-try
- Node engines: ^12.20.0 || ^14.13.1 || >=16.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 72.4M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for p-try@3.0.0

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

| Runtime | require("p-try") | import "p-try" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 p-try

ES modules:

```js
import * as pTry from "p-try";
```

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 pTry = require("p-try");

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

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=6):
// npm install p-try@2.2.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (5 versions; the newest 5 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0.0 | ESM-only | Oct 4, 2021 |
| 1.0.0 – 2.2.0 | CommonJS | Oct 21, 2016 |

## Frequently asked

**Is p-try ESM-only?**

p-try@3.0.0 is ESM-only. p-try dropped its CommonJS build in 3.0.0 (October 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 2.2.0, published Mar 31, 2019; it declares support for Node.js >=6.

**Which version of p-try still supports CommonJS / require()?**

2.2.0 is the last version of p-try with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=6. Install it with "npm install p-try@2.2.0". Every version from 3.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use p-try from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const pTry = await import("p-try"). 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("p-try") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin p-try@2.2.0 (declares Node.js >=6).

**Does p-try work in Bun?**

Yes. import "p-try" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does p-try ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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