# Is parse5 ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> parse5@8.0.1 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 8.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 7.3.0.

HTML parser and serializer.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against parse5@8.0.1.

parse5 dropped its CommonJS build in 8.0.0 (July 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 7.3.0, published Apr 22, 2025.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("parse5") 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("parse5") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("parse5") 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 parse5 = await import("parse5"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports.
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install parse5@7.3.0, the last CommonJS release (published Apr 22, 2025).
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 8.0.1 (Apr 19, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 7.3.0
- ESM-only since: 8.0.0 (Jul 9, 2025)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 106.7M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for parse5@8.0.1

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("parse5") from a CommonJS file and import "parse5" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("parse5") | import "parse5" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 parse5

ES modules:

```js
import * as parse5 from "parse5";
```

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 parse5 = require("parse5");

// Any Node.js version the package supports, from an async function:
async function main() {
  const parse5 = await import("parse5");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install parse5@7.3.0
```

## Module format by version

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

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 8.0.0 – 8.0.1 | ESM-only | Jul 9, 2025 |
| 7.0.0 – 7.3.0 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Apr 20, 2022 |
| 0.5.0 – 6.0.1 | CommonJS | Jul 3, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is parse5 ESM-only?**

parse5@8.0.1 is ESM-only. parse5 dropped its CommonJS build in 8.0.0 (July 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 7.3.0, published Apr 22, 2025.

**Which version of parse5 still supports CommonJS / require()?**

7.3.0 is the last version of parse5 with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install parse5@7.3.0". Every version from 8.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use parse5 from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const parse5 = await import("parse5"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("parse5") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin parse5@7.3.0.

**Does parse5 work in Bun?**

Yes. import "parse5" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does parse5 ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. parse5 bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [parse5 on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/parse5)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/inikulin/parse5)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/parse5/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/parse5.json)

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