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

> sax@1.6.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

An evented streaming XML parser in JavaScript

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against sax@1.6.1.

sax ships CommonJS only. require("sax") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=11.0.0. import "sax" 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("sax") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=11.0.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import sax from "sax"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/sax

## Facts

- Latest: 1.6.1 (Jul 24, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 1.6.1
- TypeScript types: @types/sax
- Node engines: >=11.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 78.9M
- License: BlueOak-1.0.0

## Runtime test results for sax@1.6.1

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import sax from "sax";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (54 versions; the newest 54 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.0 – 1.6.1 | CommonJS | Feb 9, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is sax ESM-only?**

sax@1.6.1 is a CommonJS package. sax ships CommonJS only. require("sax") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=11.0.0. import "sax" 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 sax with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does sax ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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