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

> sharp@0.35.4 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too.

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Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against sharp@0.35.4.

sharp publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 0.35.0). require("sharp") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.9.0. import "sharp" works alongside it.

## What to do

1. Nothing to change. require("sharp") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.9.0. import * as sharp from "sharp" works alongside it; use named imports for what the ESM entry exports.
2. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 0.35.4 (Aug 26, 2026)
- Module format: Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
- Last CommonJS version: 0.35.4
- Native ESM since: 0.35.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=20.9.0
- Weekly downloads: 69.6M
- License: Apache-2.0

## Runtime test results for sharp@0.35.4

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

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

ES modules:

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

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

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (149 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.35.0 – 0.35.4 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Jun 10, 2026 |
| 0.23.3 – 0.34.5 | CommonJS | Nov 17, 2019 |

## Frequently asked

**Is sharp ESM-only?**

sharp@0.35.4 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. sharp publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 0.35.0). require("sharp") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.9.0. import "sharp" works alongside it.

**Can I require sharp?**

Yes. sharp ships a CommonJS entry alongside the native ESM entry. require("sharp") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.9.0.

**Does sharp work in Bun?**

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

**Does sharp ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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