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

> react-helmet@6.1.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

A document head manager for React

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against react-helmet@6.1.0.

react-helmet ships CommonJS only. require("react-helmet") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "react-helmet" 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.

It also declares a "module" field, so bundlers such as webpack, Vite and esbuild pick up an ESM build for tree-shaking.

## What to do

1. require("react-helmet") 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 reactHelmet from "react-helmet"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/react-helmet

## Facts

- Latest: 6.1.0 (Jun 8, 2020)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 6.1.0
- TypeScript types: @types/react-helmet
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 3.0M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for react-helmet@6.1.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import reactHelmet from "react-helmet";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const reactHelmet = require("react-helmet");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (35 versions; the newest 35 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 – 6.1.0 | CommonJS | Jun 18, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is react-helmet ESM-only?**

react-helmet@6.1.0 is a CommonJS package. react-helmet ships CommonJS only. require("react-helmet") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "react-helmet" 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 react-helmet with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import reactHelmet from "react-helmet" 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 react-helmet work in Bun?**

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

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

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

## Links

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

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