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

> querystring@0.2.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Node's querystring module for all engines.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against querystring@0.2.1.

querystring ships CommonJS only. require("querystring") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.4.x. import "querystring" 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.

**Deprecated:** The querystring API is considered Legacy. new code should use the URLSearchParams API instead.

## What to do

1. require("querystring") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.4.x.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import querystring from "querystring"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: no types are available for querystring; declare the module yourself if you need them.
4. This package is deprecated: The querystring API is considered Legacy. new code should use the URLSearchParams API instead.

## Facts

- Latest: 0.2.1 (Feb 15, 2021)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 0.2.1
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: >=0.4.x
- Weekly downloads: 13.1M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for querystring@0.2.1

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import querystring from "querystring";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (5 versions; the newest 5 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0.1 – 0.2.1 | CommonJS | Apr 15, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is querystring ESM-only?**

querystring@0.2.1 is a CommonJS package. querystring ships CommonJS only. require("querystring") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.4.x. import "querystring" 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 querystring with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does querystring ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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