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

> zod@4.5.4 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too.

TypeScript-first schema declaration and validation library with static type inference

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against zod@4.5.4.

zod publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 3.0.0). require("zod") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "zod" works alongside it.

## What to do

1. Nothing to change. require("zod") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import * as zod from "zod" works alongside it; use named imports for what the ESM entry exports.
2. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 4.5.4 (Aug 29, 2026)
- Module format: Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
- Last CommonJS version: 4.5.4
- Native ESM since: 3.0.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 246.7M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for zod@4.5.4

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

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

ES modules:

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

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

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (295 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 3.25.67 – 4.5.4 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Jun 16, 2025 |

## Frequently asked

**Is zod ESM-only?**

zod@4.5.4 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. zod publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 3.0.0). require("zod") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "zod" works alongside it.

**Can I require zod?**

Yes. zod ships a CommonJS entry alongside the native ESM entry. require("zod") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun.

**Does zod work in Bun?**

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

**Does zod ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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