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

> prop-types@15.8.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Runtime type checking for React props and similar objects.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against prop-types@15.8.1.

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

## Facts

- Latest: 15.8.1 (Jan 5, 2022)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 15.8.1
- TypeScript types: @types/prop-types
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 92.7M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for prop-types@15.8.1

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

| Runtime | require("prop-types") | import "prop-types" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 prop-types

ES modules:

```js
import propTypes from "prop-types";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const propTypes = require("prop-types");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (21 versions; the newest 21 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.0 – 15.8.1 | CommonJS | Feb 20, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is prop-types ESM-only?**

prop-types@15.8.1 is a CommonJS package. prop-types ships CommonJS only. require("prop-types") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "prop-types" 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 prop-types with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import propTypes from "prop-types" 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 prop-types work in Bun?**

Yes. import "prop-types" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does prop-types ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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