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

> qs@6.16.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

A querystring parser that supports nesting and arrays, with a depth limit

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against qs@6.16.0.

qs ships CommonJS only. require("qs") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.6. import "qs" 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("qs") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.6.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import qs from "qs"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/qs

## Facts

- Latest: 6.16.0 (Aug 29, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 6.16.0
- TypeScript types: @types/qs
- Node engines: >=0.6
- Weekly downloads: 166.4M
- License: BSD-3-Clause

## Runtime test results for qs@6.16.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import qs from "qs";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (150 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 6.5.3 – 6.16.0 | CommonJS | Jan 11, 2022 |

## Frequently asked

**Is qs ESM-only?**

qs@6.16.0 is a CommonJS package. qs ships CommonJS only. require("qs") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.6. import "qs" 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 qs with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does qs ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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