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

> path-exists@5.0.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 5.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 4.0.0.

Check if a path exists

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against path-exists@5.0.0.

path-exists dropped its CommonJS build in 5.0.0 (August 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 4.0.0, published Apr 4, 2019; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

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

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("path-exists") 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 pathExists = await import("path-exists"). 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 path-exists@4.0.0, the last CommonJS release (published Apr 4, 2019); it declares Node.js >=8.
4. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/path-exists

## Facts

- Latest: 5.0.0 (Aug 12, 2021)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 4.0.0
- ESM-only since: 5.0.0 (Aug 12, 2021)
- TypeScript types: @types/path-exists
- Node engines: ^12.20.0 || ^14.13.1 || >=16.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 204.1M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for path-exists@5.0.0

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

| Runtime | require("path-exists") | import "path-exists" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 path-exists

ES modules:

```js
import * as pathExists from "path-exists";
```

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 pathExists = require("path-exists");

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

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=8):
// npm install path-exists@4.0.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (6 versions; the newest 6 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0.0 | ESM-only | Aug 12, 2021 |
| 1.0.0 – 4.0.0 | CommonJS | May 2, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is path-exists ESM-only?**

path-exists@5.0.0 is ESM-only. path-exists dropped its CommonJS build in 5.0.0 (August 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 4.0.0, published Apr 4, 2019; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

**Which version of path-exists still supports CommonJS / require()?**

4.0.0 is the last version of path-exists with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=8. Install it with "npm install path-exists@4.0.0". Every version from 5.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use path-exists from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const pathExists = await import("path-exists"). 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("path-exists") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin path-exists@4.0.0 (declares Node.js >=8).

**Does path-exists work in Bun?**

Yes. import "path-exists" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does path-exists ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/path-exists".

## Links

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

---

For scripts and AI agents: any package is at https://canirequire.com/package/<name>/index.md (Markdown) or https://canirequire.com/package/<name>.json (JSON); the site index is https://canirequire.com/llms.txt. Fetch the URL directly; no search needed.