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

> safe-buffer@5.2.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Safer Node.js Buffer API

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against safe-buffer@5.2.1.

safe-buffer ships CommonJS only. require("safe-buffer") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "safe-buffer" 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("safe-buffer") 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 safeBuffer from "safe-buffer"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 5.2.1 (May 10, 2020)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 5.2.1
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 275.9M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for safe-buffer@5.2.1

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

| Runtime | require("safe-buffer") | import "safe-buffer" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 safe-buffer

ES modules:

```js
import safeBuffer from "safe-buffer";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const safeBuffer = require("safe-buffer");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (11 versions; the newest 11 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 – 5.2.1 | CommonJS | Jan 13, 2016 |

## Frequently asked

**Is safe-buffer ESM-only?**

safe-buffer@5.2.1 is a CommonJS package. safe-buffer ships CommonJS only. require("safe-buffer") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "safe-buffer" 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 safe-buffer with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import safeBuffer from "safe-buffer" 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 safe-buffer work in Bun?**

Yes. import "safe-buffer" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does safe-buffer ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. safe-buffer bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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