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

> svgo@4.1.0 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too.

SVGO is a Node.js library and command-line application for optimizing vector images.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against svgo@4.1.0.

svgo publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 3.3.0). require("svgo") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=16. import "svgo" works alongside it.

## What to do

1. Nothing to change. require("svgo") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=16. import * as svgo from "svgo" works alongside it; use named imports for what the ESM entry exports.
2. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 4.1.0 (Aug 24, 2026)
- Module format: Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
- Last CommonJS version: 4.1.0
- Native ESM since: 3.3.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=16
- Weekly downloads: 33.9M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for svgo@4.1.0

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

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

ES modules:

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

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

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (107 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0.0 – 4.1.0 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Jun 21, 2025 |
| 3.3.2 – 3.3.5 | CommonJS | May 9, 2024 |
| 3.3.0 – 3.3.1 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | May 8, 2024 |
| 0.6.2 – 3.2.0 | CommonJS | Mar 8, 2016 |

## Frequently asked

**Is svgo ESM-only?**

svgo@4.1.0 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. svgo publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 3.3.0). require("svgo") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=16. import "svgo" works alongside it.

**Can I require svgo?**

Yes. svgo ships a CommonJS entry alongside the native ESM entry. require("svgo") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=16.

**Does svgo work in Bun?**

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

**Does svgo ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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