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

> uuid@14.0.2 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 12.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 11.1.1.

RFC9562 UUIDs

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against uuid@14.0.2.

uuid dropped its CommonJS build in 12.0.0 (September 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 11.1.1, published Apr 29, 2026.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("uuid") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. On Node.js 18, which has no require(esm), require("uuid") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("uuid") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const uuid = await import("uuid"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports.
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install uuid@11.1.1, the last CommonJS release (published Apr 29, 2026).
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 14.0.2 (Aug 18, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 11.1.1
- ESM-only since: 12.0.0 (Sep 5, 2025)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 254.8M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for uuid@14.0.2

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

| Runtime | require("uuid") | import "uuid" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | 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 uuid

ES modules:

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

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

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const uuid = require("uuid");

// Any Node.js version the package supports, from an async function:
async function main() {
  const uuid = await import("uuid");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install uuid@11.1.1
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (47 versions; the newest 47 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 12.0.0 – 14.0.2 | ESM-only | Sep 5, 2025 |
| 8.0.0 – 11.1.1 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Apr 29, 2020 |
| 0.0.1 – 7.0.3 | CommonJS | Mar 31, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is uuid ESM-only?**

uuid@14.0.2 is ESM-only. uuid dropped its CommonJS build in 12.0.0 (September 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 11.1.1, published Apr 29, 2026.

**Which version of uuid still supports CommonJS / require()?**

11.1.1 is the last version of uuid with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install uuid@11.1.1". Every version from 12.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use uuid from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const uuid = await import("uuid"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("uuid") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin uuid@11.1.1.

**Does uuid work in Bun?**

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

**Does uuid ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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