# Is sqlite3 ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> sqlite3@6.0.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Asynchronous, non-blocking SQLite3 bindings

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against sqlite3@6.0.1.

sqlite3 ships CommonJS only. require("sqlite3") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.17.0. import "sqlite3" 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("sqlite3") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.17.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import sqlite3 from "sqlite3"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 6.0.1 (Mar 12, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 6.0.1
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=20.17.0
- Weekly downloads: 2.2M
- License: BSD-3-Clause

## Runtime test results for sqlite3@6.0.1

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("sqlite3") from a CommonJS file and import "sqlite3" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("sqlite3") | import "sqlite3" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 sqlite3

ES modules:

```js
import sqlite3 from "sqlite3";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const sqlite3 = require("sqlite3");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (102 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 2.2.4 – 6.0.1 | CommonJS | Jul 15, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is sqlite3 ESM-only?**

sqlite3@6.0.1 is a CommonJS package. sqlite3 ships CommonJS only. require("sqlite3") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.17.0. import "sqlite3" 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 sqlite3 with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import sqlite3 from "sqlite3" 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 sqlite3 work in Bun?**

Yes. import "sqlite3" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does sqlite3 ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. sqlite3 bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [sqlite3 on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/sqlite3)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/TryGhost/node-sqlite3)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/sqlite3/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/sqlite3.json)

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