# Is xml2js ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> xml2js@0.6.2 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Simple XML to JavaScript object converter.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against xml2js@0.6.2.

xml2js ships CommonJS only. require("xml2js") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=4.0.0. import "xml2js" 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("xml2js") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=4.0.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import xml2js from "xml2js"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/xml2js

## Facts

- Latest: 0.6.2 (Jul 26, 2023)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 0.6.2
- TypeScript types: @types/xml2js
- Node engines: >=4.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 30.7M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for xml2js@0.6.2

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("xml2js") from a CommonJS file and import "xml2js" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("xml2js") | import "xml2js" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 xml2js

ES modules:

```js
import xml2js from "xml2js";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const xml2js = require("xml2js");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (51 versions; the newest 51 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.0 – 0.6.2 | CommonJS | Apr 20, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is xml2js ESM-only?**

xml2js@0.6.2 is a CommonJS package. xml2js ships CommonJS only. require("xml2js") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=4.0.0. import "xml2js" 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 xml2js with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import xml2js from "xml2js" 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 xml2js work in Bun?**

Yes. import "xml2js" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does xml2js ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/xml2js".

## Links

- [xml2js on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/xml2js)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/Leonidas-from-XIV/node-xml2js)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/xml2js/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/xml2js.json)

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