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

> winston@3.19.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

A logger for just about everything.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against winston@3.19.0.

winston ships CommonJS only. require("winston") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 12.0.0. import "winston" 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("winston") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 12.0.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import winston from "winston"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 3.19.0 (Dec 7, 2025)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 3.19.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >= 12.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 18.6M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for winston@3.19.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import winston from "winston";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (87 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.8.3 – 3.19.0 | CommonJS | Nov 4, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is winston ESM-only?**

winston@3.19.0 is a CommonJS package. winston ships CommonJS only. require("winston") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 12.0.0. import "winston" 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 winston with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import winston from "winston" 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 winston work in Bun?**

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

**Does winston ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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