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

> sequelize@6.37.8 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too.

Sequelize is a promise-based Node.js ORM tool for Postgres, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, Microsoft SQL Server, Amazon Redshift and Snowflake’s Data Cloud. It features solid transaction support, relations, eager and lazy loading, read replication and more.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against sequelize@6.37.8.

sequelize publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 6.12.0). require("sequelize") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=10.0.0. import "sequelize" works alongside it.

## What to do

1. Nothing to change. require("sequelize") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=10.0.0. import * as sequelize from "sequelize" works alongside it; use named imports for what the ESM entry exports.
2. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 6.37.8 (Mar 7, 2026)
- Module format: Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
- Last CommonJS version: 6.37.8
- Native ESM since: 6.12.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=10.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 2.0M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for sequelize@6.37.8

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import * as sequelize from "sequelize";
```

Namespace import shown because the ESM entry may have no default export; use named imports for what it exports.

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (517 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 6.16.2 – 6.37.8 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Feb 18, 2022 |

## Frequently asked

**Is sequelize ESM-only?**

sequelize@6.37.8 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. sequelize publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 6.12.0). require("sequelize") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=10.0.0. import "sequelize" works alongside it.

**Can I require sequelize?**

Yes. sequelize ships a CommonJS entry alongside the native ESM entry. require("sequelize") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=10.0.0.

**Does sequelize work in Bun?**

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

**Does sequelize ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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