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

> read-pkg@10.1.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 6.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 5.2.0.

Read a package.json file

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against read-pkg@10.1.0.

read-pkg dropped its CommonJS build in 6.0.0 (March 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 5.2.0, published Jul 11, 2019; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("read-pkg") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and read-pkg@10.1.0 declares Node.js >=20, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

read-pkg@10.1.0 declares engines ">=20", so Node.js 18 is outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("read-pkg") 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 readPkg = await import("read-pkg"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=20).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install read-pkg@5.2.0, the last CommonJS release (published Jul 11, 2019); it declares Node.js >=8.
4. read-pkg@10.1.0 declares engines ">=20", so Node.js 18 is unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 10.1.0 (Feb 8, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 5.2.0
- ESM-only since: 6.0.0 (Mar 28, 2021)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=20
- Weekly downloads: 36.8M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for read-pkg@10.1.0

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

| Runtime | require("read-pkg") | import "read-pkg" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 read-pkg

ES modules:

```js
import * as readPkg from "read-pkg";
```

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 readPkg = require("read-pkg");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=20), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const readPkg = await import("read-pkg");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=8):
// npm install read-pkg@5.2.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (19 versions; the newest 19 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0.0 – 10.1.0 | ESM-only | Mar 28, 2021 |
| 1.0.0 – 5.2.0 | CommonJS | Sep 2, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is read-pkg ESM-only?**

read-pkg@10.1.0 is ESM-only. read-pkg dropped its CommonJS build in 6.0.0 (March 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 5.2.0, published Jul 11, 2019; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

**Which version of read-pkg still supports CommonJS / require()?**

5.2.0 is the last version of read-pkg with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=8. Install it with "npm install read-pkg@5.2.0". Every version from 6.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use read-pkg from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const readPkg = await import("read-pkg"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=20). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("read-pkg") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin read-pkg@5.2.0 (declares Node.js >=8).

**Does read-pkg work in Bun?**

Yes. import "read-pkg" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does read-pkg ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. read-pkg bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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