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

> tailwindcss@4.3.3 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too.

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

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against tailwindcss@4.3.3.

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.

## Facts

- 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

## Runtime test results for tailwindcss@4.3.3

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

| Runtime | require("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:

```js
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:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (239 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0.0 – 4.3.3 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Jan 21, 2025 |
| 3.4.6 – 3.4.19 | CommonJS | Jul 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

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

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