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

> pify@6.1.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 6.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 5.0.0.

Promisify a callback-style function

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against pify@6.1.0.

pify dropped its CommonJS build in 6.0.0 (June 2022). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 5.0.0, published Feb 14, 2020; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

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

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("pify") 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 pify = await import("pify"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=14.16).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install pify@5.0.0, the last CommonJS release (published Feb 14, 2020); it declares Node.js >=10.
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 6.1.0 (Sep 2, 2022)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 5.0.0
- ESM-only since: 6.0.0 (Jun 6, 2022)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=14.16
- Weekly downloads: 102.9M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for pify@6.1.0

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

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

ES modules:

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

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 pify = require("pify");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=14.16), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const pify = await import("pify");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=10):
// npm install pify@5.0.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (13 versions; the newest 13 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0.0 – 6.1.0 | ESM-only | Jun 6, 2022 |
| 1.0.0 – 5.0.0 | CommonJS | Aug 29, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is pify ESM-only?**

pify@6.1.0 is ESM-only. pify dropped its CommonJS build in 6.0.0 (June 2022). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 5.0.0, published Feb 14, 2020; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

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

5.0.0 is the last version of pify with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=10. Install it with "npm install pify@5.0.0". Every version from 6.0.0 on is ESM-only.

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

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const pify = await import("pify"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=14.16). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("pify") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin pify@5.0.0 (declares Node.js >=10).

**Does pify work in Bun?**

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

**Does pify ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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