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

> request@2.88.2 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Simplified HTTP request client.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against request@2.88.2.

request ships CommonJS only. require("request") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 6. import "request" 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.

**Deprecated:** request has been deprecated, see https://github.com/request/request/issues/3142

## What to do

1. require("request") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 6.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import request from "request"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/request
4. This package is deprecated: request has been deprecated, see https://github.com/request/request/issues/3142

## Facts

- Latest: 2.88.2 (Feb 11, 2020)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 2.88.2
- TypeScript types: @types/request
- Node engines: >= 6
- Weekly downloads: 12.5M
- License: Apache-2.0

## Runtime test results for request@2.88.2

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import request from "request";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (126 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 2.30.0 – 2.88.2 | CommonJS | Dec 13, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is request ESM-only?**

request@2.88.2 is a CommonJS package. request ships CommonJS only. require("request") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 6. import "request" 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 request with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does request ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

---

For scripts and AI agents: any package is at https://canirequire.com/package/<name>/index.md (Markdown) or https://canirequire.com/package/<name>.json (JSON); the site index is https://canirequire.com/llms.txt. Fetch the URL directly; no search needed.