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Is tailwindcss ESM-only? Can you require() it?

A utility-first CSS framework for rapidly building custom user interfaces.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against tailwindcss@4.3.3. Markdown · JSON

Dual (CommonJS + ESM) Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too

tailwindcss publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 4.0.0). require("tailwindcss") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "tailwindcss" works alongside it.

What to do

  1. Nothing to change. require("tailwindcss") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import * as tailwindcss from "tailwindcss" works alongside it; use named imports for what the ESM entry exports.
  2. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.
Latest
4.3.3 (Jul 16, 2026)
Module format
Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
Last CommonJS version
4.3.3
Native ESM since
4.0.0
TypeScript types
Bundled
Node engines
not declared
Weekly downloads
110.9M
License
MIT

Does tailwindcss@4.3.3 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("tailwindcss")import "tailwindcss"
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 tailwindcss

ES modules (import)

import * as tailwindcss from "tailwindcss";

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

CommonJS (require)

const tailwindcss = require("tailwindcss");

Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm, corrected where a runtime test of that version contradicted them (239 versions; the newest 60 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
4.0.0 – 4.3.3Dual (CommonJS + ESM)Jan 21, 2025
3.4.6 – 3.4.19CommonJSJul 16, 2024

Frequently asked

Is tailwindcss ESM-only?

tailwindcss@4.3.3 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. tailwindcss publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 4.0.0). require("tailwindcss") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "tailwindcss" works alongside it.

Can I require tailwindcss?

Yes. tailwindcss ships a CommonJS entry alongside the native ESM entry. require("tailwindcss") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun.

Does tailwindcss work in Bun?

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

Does tailwindcss ship TypeScript types?

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

Links

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