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

> react-router@8.3.1 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 8.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 7.18.3.

Declarative routing for React

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against react-router@8.3.1.

react-router dropped its CommonJS build in 8.0.0 (June 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 7.18.3, published Aug 28, 2026; it declares support for Node.js >=20.0.0.

On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (react-router@8.3.1 declares Node.js >=22.22.0), require("react-router") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and react-router@8.3.1 declares Node.js >=22.22.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

react-router@8.3.1 declares engines ">=22.22.0", so Node.js 18, 20 are outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (react-router@8.3.1 declares Node.js >=22.22.0), require("react-router") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const reactRouter = await import("react-router"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=22.22.0).
3. If you need a synchronous require(): npm install react-router@7.18.3, the last CommonJS release (published Aug 28, 2026); it declares Node.js >=20.0.0.
4. react-router@8.3.1 declares engines ">=22.22.0", so Node.js 18, 20 are unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 8.3.1 (Aug 28, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 7.18.3
- ESM-only since: 8.0.0 (Jun 17, 2026)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=22.22.0
- Weekly downloads: 46.6M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for react-router@8.3.1

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import * as reactRouter from "react-router";
```

Namespace import shown because the ESM entry may have no default export; use named imports for what it exports.

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const reactRouter = require("react-router");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=22.22.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const reactRouter = await import("react-router");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=20.0.0):
// npm install react-router@7.18.3
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (222 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 8.0.0 – 8.3.1 | ESM-only | Jun 17, 2026 |
| 7.0.0 – 7.18.3 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Nov 22, 2024 |
| 6.30.4 – 6.30.6 | CommonJS | May 29, 2026 |

## Frequently asked

**Is react-router ESM-only?**

react-router@8.3.1 is ESM-only. react-router dropped its CommonJS build in 8.0.0 (June 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 7.18.3, published Aug 28, 2026; it declares support for Node.js >=20.0.0.

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

7.18.3 is the last version of react-router with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=20.0.0. Install it with "npm install react-router@7.18.3". Every version from 8.0.0 on is ESM-only.

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

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const reactRouter = await import("react-router"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=22.22.0). On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (react-router@8.3.1 declares Node.js >=22.22.0), require("react-router") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin react-router@7.18.3 (declares Node.js >=20.0.0).

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

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

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

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

## Links

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

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