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

> uglify-js@3.19.3 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

JavaScript parser, mangler/compressor and beautifier toolkit

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against uglify-js@3.19.3.

uglify-js ships CommonJS only. require("uglify-js") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.8.0. import "uglify-js" 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("uglify-js") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.8.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import uglifyJs from "uglify-js"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/uglify-js

## Facts

- Latest: 3.19.3 (Aug 29, 2024)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 3.19.3
- TypeScript types: @types/uglify-js
- Node engines: >=0.8.0
- Weekly downloads: 41.1M
- License: BSD-2-Clause

## Runtime test results for uglify-js@3.19.3

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

| Runtime | require("uglify-js") | import "uglify-js" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 uglify-js

ES modules:

```js
import uglifyJs from "uglify-js";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const uglifyJs = require("uglify-js");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (288 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 3.9.3 – 3.19.3 | CommonJS | May 13, 2020 |

## Frequently asked

**Is uglify-js ESM-only?**

uglify-js@3.19.3 is a CommonJS package. uglify-js ships CommonJS only. require("uglify-js") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.8.0. import "uglify-js" 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 uglify-js with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import uglifyJs from "uglify-js" 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 uglify-js work in Bun?**

Yes. import "uglify-js" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does uglify-js ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/uglify-js".

## Links

- [uglify-js on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/uglify-js)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/mishoo/UglifyJS)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/uglify-js/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/uglify-js.json)

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