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

> saxes@6.0.0 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 saxes@6.0.0.

saxes ships CommonJS only. require("saxes") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=v12.22.7. import "saxes" 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("saxes") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=v12.22.7.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import saxes from "saxes"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 6.0.0 (Nov 7, 2021)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 6.0.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=v12.22.7
- Weekly downloads: 85.2M
- License: ISC

## Runtime test results for saxes@6.0.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import saxes from "saxes";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (23 versions; the newest 23 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0.0 – 6.0.0 | CommonJS | Jul 23, 2018 |

## Frequently asked

**Is saxes ESM-only?**

saxes@6.0.0 is a CommonJS package. saxes ships CommonJS only. require("saxes") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=v12.22.7. import "saxes" 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 saxes with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does saxes ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. saxes bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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