# Is strip-json-comments ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> strip-json-comments@5.0.3 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 4.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 3.1.1.

Strip comments from JSON. Lets you use comments in your JSON files!

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against strip-json-comments@5.0.3.

strip-json-comments dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (August 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 3.1.1, published Jul 12, 2020; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("strip-json-comments") 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("strip-json-comments") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("strip-json-comments") 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 stripJsonComments = await import("strip-json-comments"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=14.16).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install strip-json-comments@3.1.1, the last CommonJS release (published Jul 12, 2020); it declares Node.js >=8.
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 5.0.3 (Aug 8, 2025)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 3.1.1
- ESM-only since: 4.0.0 (Aug 19, 2021)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=14.16
- Weekly downloads: 185.4M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for strip-json-comments@5.0.3

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

| Runtime | require("strip-json-comments") | import "strip-json-comments" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 strip-json-comments

ES modules:

```js
import * as stripJsonComments from "strip-json-comments";
```

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 stripJsonComments = require("strip-json-comments");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=14.16), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const stripJsonComments = await import("strip-json-comments");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=8):
// npm install strip-json-comments@3.1.1
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (20 versions; the newest 20 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0.0 – 5.0.3 | ESM-only | Aug 19, 2021 |
| 0.1.0 – 3.1.1 | CommonJS | Nov 17, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is strip-json-comments ESM-only?**

strip-json-comments@5.0.3 is ESM-only. strip-json-comments dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (August 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 3.1.1, published Jul 12, 2020; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

**Which version of strip-json-comments still supports CommonJS / require()?**

3.1.1 is the last version of strip-json-comments with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=8. Install it with "npm install strip-json-comments@3.1.1". Every version from 4.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use strip-json-comments from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const stripJsonComments = await import("strip-json-comments"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=14.16). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("strip-json-comments") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin strip-json-comments@3.1.1 (declares Node.js >=8).

**Does strip-json-comments work in Bun?**

Yes. import "strip-json-comments" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does strip-json-comments ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. strip-json-comments bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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