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

> react@19.2.8 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against react@19.2.8.

react ships CommonJS only. require("react") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.10.0. import "react" 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("react") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.10.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import react from "react"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/react

## Facts

- Latest: 19.2.8 (Jul 21, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 19.2.8
- TypeScript types: @types/react
- Node engines: >=0.10.0
- Weekly downloads: 152.8M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for react@19.2.8

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import react from "react";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (138 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 16.5.0 – 19.2.8 | CommonJS | Sep 6, 2018 |

## Frequently asked

**Is react ESM-only?**

react@19.2.8 is a CommonJS package. react ships CommonJS only. require("react") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.10.0. import "react" 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 with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does react ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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