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

> promise@8.3.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Bare bones Promises/A+ implementation

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against promise@8.3.0.

promise ships CommonJS only. require("promise") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "promise" 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("promise") 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 promise from "promise"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/promise

## Facts

- Latest: 8.3.0 (Oct 25, 2022)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 8.3.0
- TypeScript types: @types/promise
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 30.1M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for promise@8.3.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import promise from "promise";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (30 versions; the newest 30 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2.1 – 8.3.0 | CommonJS | Dec 25, 2012 |

## Frequently asked

**Is promise ESM-only?**

promise@8.3.0 is a CommonJS package. promise ships CommonJS only. require("promise") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "promise" 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 promise with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import promise from "promise" 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 promise work in Bun?**

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

**Does promise ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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