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

> styled-system@5.1.5 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Responsive, theme-based style props for building design systems with React

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against styled-system@5.1.5.

styled-system ships CommonJS only. require("styled-system") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "styled-system" 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.

It also declares a "module" field, so bundlers such as webpack, Vite and esbuild pick up an ESM build for tree-shaking.

## What to do

1. require("styled-system") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import styledSystem from "styled-system"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/styled-system

## Facts

- Latest: 5.1.5 (Feb 17, 2020)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 5.1.5
- TypeScript types: @types/styled-system
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 793K
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for styled-system@5.1.5

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

| Runtime | require("styled-system") | import "styled-system" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 styled-system

ES modules:

```js
import styledSystem from "styled-system";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const styledSystem = require("styled-system");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (96 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3.3 – 5.1.5 | CommonJS | Jul 5, 2018 |

## Frequently asked

**Is styled-system ESM-only?**

styled-system@5.1.5 is a CommonJS package. styled-system ships CommonJS only. require("styled-system") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "styled-system" 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 styled-system with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import styledSystem from "styled-system" 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 styled-system work in Bun?**

Yes. import "styled-system" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does styled-system ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/styled-system".

## Links

- [styled-system on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/styled-system)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/styled-system/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/styled-system.json)

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