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

> type-detect@4.1.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Improved typeof detection for node.js and the browser.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against type-detect@4.1.0.

type-detect ships CommonJS only. require("type-detect") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=4. import "type-detect" 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.

## What to do

1. require("type-detect") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=4.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import typeDetect from "type-detect"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/type-detect

## Facts

- Latest: 4.1.0 (Jul 25, 2024)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 4.1.0
- TypeScript types: @types/type-detect
- Node engines: >=4
- Weekly downloads: 44.3M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for type-detect@4.1.0

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

| Runtime | require("type-detect") | import "type-detect" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 type-detect

ES modules:

```js
import typeDetect from "type-detect";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const typeDetect = require("type-detect");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (17 versions; the newest 17 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.0 – 4.1.0 | CommonJS | Aug 14, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is type-detect ESM-only?**

type-detect@4.1.0 is a CommonJS package. type-detect ships CommonJS only. require("type-detect") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=4. import "type-detect" 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 type-detect with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import typeDetect from "type-detect" 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 type-detect work in Bun?**

Yes. import "type-detect" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does type-detect ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/type-detect".

## Links

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

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