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

> xmlchars@2.2.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Utilities for determining if characters belong to character classes defined by the XML specs.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against xmlchars@2.2.0.

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

## Facts

- Latest: 2.2.0 (Sep 6, 2019)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 2.2.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 75.0M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for xmlchars@2.2.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import xmlchars from "xmlchars";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (9 versions; the newest 9 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 – 2.2.0 | CommonJS | Jul 5, 2018 |

## Frequently asked

**Is xmlchars ESM-only?**

xmlchars@2.2.0 is a CommonJS package. xmlchars ships CommonJS only. require("xmlchars") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "xmlchars" 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 xmlchars with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does xmlchars ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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