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Is parse-json ESM-only? Can you require() it?

Parse JSON with more helpful errors

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against parse-json@8.3.0. Markdown · JSON

ESM-only ESM-only since 6.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 5.2.0

parse-json dropped its CommonJS build in 6.0.0 (November 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 5.2.0, published Jan 18, 2021; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

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

What to do

  1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("parse-json") 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 parseJson = await import("parse-json"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18).
  3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install parse-json@5.2.0, the last CommonJS release (published Jan 18, 2021); it declares Node.js >=8.
  4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.
Latest
8.3.0 (Apr 9, 2025)
Module format
ESM-only
Last CommonJS version
5.2.0
ESM-only since
6.0.0 (Nov 4, 2021)
TypeScript types
Bundled
Node engines
>=18
Weekly downloads
121.7M
License
MIT

Does parse-json@8.3.0 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("parse-json")import "parse-json"
Node.js 18✗ failsERR_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 parse-json

ES modules (import)

import * as parseJson from "parse-json";

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

CommonJS (require)

// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const parseJson = require("parse-json");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=18), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const parseJson = await import("parse-json");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=8):
// npm install parse-json@5.2.0

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 (22 versions; the newest 22 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
6.0.0 – 8.3.0ESM-onlyNov 4, 2021
1.0.0 – 5.2.0CommonJSJul 28, 2015

Frequently asked

Is parse-json ESM-only?

parse-json@8.3.0 is ESM-only. parse-json dropped its CommonJS build in 6.0.0 (November 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 5.2.0, published Jan 18, 2021; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

Which version of parse-json still supports CommonJS / require()?

5.2.0 is the last version of parse-json with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=8. Install it with "npm install parse-json@5.2.0". Every version from 6.0.0 on is ESM-only.

How do I use parse-json from a CommonJS file?

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const parseJson = await import("parse-json"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("parse-json") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin parse-json@5.2.0 (declares Node.js >=8).

Does parse-json work in Bun?

Yes. import "parse-json" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

Does parse-json ship TypeScript types?

Yes. parse-json bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

Links

Other esm-only packages

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