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

> standard@17.1.2 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 17.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 16.0.4.

JavaScript Standard Style

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against standard@17.1.2.

standard dropped its CommonJS build in 17.0.0 (April 2022). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 16.0.4, published Oct 3, 2021; it declares support for Node.js >=10.12.0.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("standard") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. On Node.js 18, which has no require(esm), require("standard") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("standard") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const standard = await import("standard"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^12.22.0 || ^14.17.0 || >=16.0.0).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install standard@16.0.4, the last CommonJS release (published Oct 3, 2021); it declares Node.js >=10.12.0.
4. TypeScript: no types are available for standard; declare the module yourself if you need them.

## Facts

- Latest: 17.1.2 (Sep 13, 2024)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 16.0.4
- ESM-only since: 17.0.0 (Apr 20, 2022)
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: ^12.22.0 || ^14.17.0 || >=16.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 454K
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for standard@17.1.2

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

| Runtime | require("standard") | import "standard" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | 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 standard

ES modules:

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

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

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const standard = require("standard");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (^12.22.0 || ^14.17.0 || >=16.0.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const standard = await import("standard");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=10.12.0):
// npm install standard@16.0.4
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (153 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 17.0.0 – 17.1.2 | ESM-only | Apr 20, 2022 |
| 5.3.1 – 16.0.4 | CommonJS | Sep 18, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is standard ESM-only?**

standard@17.1.2 is ESM-only. standard dropped its CommonJS build in 17.0.0 (April 2022). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 16.0.4, published Oct 3, 2021; it declares support for Node.js >=10.12.0.

**Which version of standard still supports CommonJS / require()?**

16.0.4 is the last version of standard with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=10.12.0. Install it with "npm install standard@16.0.4". Every version from 17.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use standard from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const standard = await import("standard"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^12.22.0 || ^14.17.0 || >=16.0.0). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("standard") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin standard@16.0.4 (declares Node.js >=10.12.0).

**Does standard work in Bun?**

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

**Does standard ship TypeScript types?**

No. standard ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

## Links

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

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