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

> tar@7.5.22 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too.

tar for node

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against tar@7.5.22.

tar publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 7.0.0). require("tar") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=18. import "tar" works alongside it.

## What to do

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

## Facts

- Latest: 7.5.22 (Jul 24, 2026)
- Module format: Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
- Last CommonJS version: 7.5.22
- Native ESM since: 7.0.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=18
- Weekly downloads: 76.1M
- License: BlueOak-1.0.0

## Runtime test results for tar@7.5.22

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

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

ES modules:

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

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

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (153 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 7.0.0 – 7.5.22 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Apr 10, 2024 |
| 5.0.9 – 6.2.1 | CommonJS | Aug 11, 2021 |

## Frequently asked

**Is tar ESM-only?**

tar@7.5.22 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. tar publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 7.0.0). require("tar") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=18. import "tar" works alongside it.

**Can I require tar?**

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

**Does tar work in Bun?**

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

**Does tar ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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