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

> vue-router@5.3.1 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26, fails on 18; import works too.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against vue-router@5.3.1.

vue-router publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 3.6.0). require("vue-router") works on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26 but fails on Node.js 18 (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM). import "vue-router" works alongside it.

## What to do

1. Nothing to change. require("vue-router") works on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26 but fails on Node.js 18 (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM). import * as vueRouter from "vue-router" works alongside it; use named imports for what the ESM entry exports.
2. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 5.3.1 (Sep 2, 2026)
- Module format: Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
- Last CommonJS version: 5.3.1
- Native ESM since: 3.6.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 5.8M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for vue-router@5.3.1

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

| Runtime | require("vue-router") | import "vue-router" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 vue-router

ES modules:

```js
import * as vueRouter from "vue-router";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
const vueRouter = require("vue-router");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (143 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1.0 – 5.3.1 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Jul 4, 2022 |
| 4.0.0 – 4.0.16 | CommonJS | Dec 7, 2020 |
| 3.6.5 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Sep 6, 2022 |

## Frequently asked

**Is vue-router ESM-only?**

vue-router@5.3.1 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. vue-router publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 3.6.0). require("vue-router") works on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26 but fails on Node.js 18 (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM). import "vue-router" works alongside it.

**Can I require vue-router?**

Yes. vue-router ships a CommonJS entry alongside the native ESM entry. require("vue-router") works on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26 but fails on Node.js 18 (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM).

**Does vue-router work in Bun?**

Yes. import "vue-router" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does vue-router ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. vue-router bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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