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

> react-dnd@16.0.1 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 16.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 15.1.2.

Drag and Drop for React

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against react-dnd@16.0.1.

react-dnd dropped its CommonJS build in 16.0.0 (April 2022). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 15.1.2, published Mar 31, 2022.

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

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("react-dnd") 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 reactDnd = await import("react-dnd"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports.
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install react-dnd@15.1.2, the last CommonJS release (published Mar 31, 2022).
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 16.0.1 (Apr 19, 2022)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 15.1.2
- ESM-only since: 16.0.0 (Apr 5, 2022)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 4.8M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for react-dnd@16.0.1

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

| Runtime | require("react-dnd") | import "react-dnd" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 react-dnd

ES modules:

```js
import * as reactDnd from "react-dnd";
```

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 reactDnd = require("react-dnd");

// Any Node.js version the package supports, from an async function:
async function main() {
  const reactDnd = await import("react-dnd");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install react-dnd@15.1.2
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (135 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 16.0.0 – 16.0.1 | ESM-only | Apr 5, 2022 |
| 15.1.0 – 15.1.2 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Feb 5, 2022 |
| 15.0.1 – 15.0.2 | CommonJS | Feb 4, 2022 |
| 15.0.0 | ESM-only | Feb 4, 2022 |
| 10.0.0 – 14.0.5 | CommonJS | Dec 7, 2019 |
| 8.0.0 – 9.5.1 | ESM-only | Jun 14, 2019 |
| 5.0.0 – 7.7.0 | CommonJS | Jun 19, 2018 |

## Frequently asked

**Is react-dnd ESM-only?**

react-dnd@16.0.1 is ESM-only. react-dnd dropped its CommonJS build in 16.0.0 (April 2022). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 15.1.2, published Mar 31, 2022.

**Which version of react-dnd still supports CommonJS / require()?**

15.1.2 is the last version of react-dnd with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install react-dnd@15.1.2". Every version from 16.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use react-dnd from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const reactDnd = await import("react-dnd"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("react-dnd") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin react-dnd@15.1.2.

**Does react-dnd work in Bun?**

Yes. import "react-dnd" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does react-dnd ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. react-dnd bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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