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

> path@0.12.7 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Node.JS path module

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against path@0.12.7.

path ships CommonJS only. require("path") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "path" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

## What to do

1. require("path") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import path from "path"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: no types are available for path; declare the module yourself if you need them.

## Facts

- Latest: 0.12.7 (Sep 13, 2015)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 0.12.7
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 3.8M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for path@0.12.7

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

| Runtime | require("path") | import "path" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | works | 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

ES modules:

```js
import path from "path";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const path = require("path");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (4 versions; the newest 4 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.4.9 – 0.12.7 | CommonJS | Jun 29, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is path ESM-only?**

path@0.12.7 is a CommonJS package. path ships CommonJS only. require("path") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "path" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

**Can I import path with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import path from "path" works in Node.js and Bun because they support importing CommonJS modules. Named imports work only when Node.js can statically detect the exports.

**Does path work in Bun?**

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

**Does path ship TypeScript types?**

No. path ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

## Links

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

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