UNPKG
What UNPKG is
UNPKG is a free CDN for files published on npm. Build a URL from a package name, version, and file path to request a package file. You can specify an exact version, an npm dist-tag, or a semver range; if you leave out the version, UNPKG uses the latest tag. Package support includes the exports specification, subpaths, and custom export conditions set through a query parameter.
For browser apps, import maps can load JavaScript modules directly without a bundler. The esm.unpkg.com service can transform TypeScript and JSX, bundle package internals, and rewrite dependency imports to pinned UNPKG URLs for modern browsers. Its module URLs support options such as target, development mode, export conditions, dependency overrides, aliases, JSX transforms, minification, source maps, metadata, and raw files. Add ?meta to a package root or subdirectory to get JSON metadata with file paths, sizes, types, and subresource integrity values.
UNPKG mirrors npm packages and says files become available within minutes of publication. It runs on Cloudflare's global edge network and Workers. The project is open source and says it is not affiliated with or supported by npm.
Who it suits
UNPKG suits developers who need to serve npm package files by URL or load JavaScript modules directly into browser apps. It also fits projects that need browser transformations, package metadata, or integrity values.
What it does well
- Free access to files published on npm.
- URLs can resolve exact versions, tags, or semver ranges.
- Import maps can load modules without a bundler.
- esm.unpkg.com transforms TypeScript and JSX for browsers.
- Metadata includes file sizes, types, and integrity values.
What to know first
- Its package files come from npm.
- UNPKG says it is not affiliated with or supported by npm.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| UNPKG | No plan or usage limits stated on the maker’s pages | Free |
As unpkg.com lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open https://unpkg.com/.
- Choose a package published on npm.
- Build a URL using the package name and file path, with a version if needed.
- For browser modules, use esm.unpkg.com and its supported module URL options.
- For package file metadata, append ?meta to the package root or a subdirectory.
Verdict
Choose UNPKG to serve npm package files by URL or load browser modules without a bundler. Its transformation service and metadata endpoint add options for browser delivery and package inspection. Users seeking support from npm should note that UNPKG directs questions to @unpkg.
Questions
Is UNPKG free?
Yes. UNPKG has a free plan.
Which platforms does UNPKG support?
The listed platforms are API and web.
Can I choose a package version?
Yes. A package URL can use an exact version, an npm dist-tag, or a semver range. Without a version, UNPKG uses the latest tag.
Can I use UNPKG without a bundler?
Yes. Import maps can load JavaScript modules directly into browser apps without a bundler.
Is UNPKG open source?
Yes. UNPKG describes itself as an open source project.
Is UNPKG affiliated with npm?
UNPKG says it is not affiliated with or supported by npm. It directs support questions to @unpkg.
Facts from UNPKG's own pages
- Browser apps
- UNPKG supports loading JavaScript modules directly in browser apps with import maps and without a build step. · unpkg.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Browser modules
- esm.unpkg.com transforms TypeScript and JSX when needed, bundles package internals, rewrites dependency imports to permanent URLs, and serves browser-loadable modules. · unpkg.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Caching
- UNPKG says it runs on Cloudflare’s global edge network and caches files by permanent URLs containing the npm package version. · unpkg.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Cloudflare infrastructure
- UNPKG says it runs on Cloudflare's global edge network and Cloudflare Workers, serving requests from hundreds of locations worldwide. · unpkg.com, 4 Oct 2026
- File resolution
- When a file path is omitted, UNPKG resolves the package’s default entry point, including support for package exports and subpaths. · unpkg.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · unpkg.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Inline scripts
- The /run helper transforms inline TypeScript, JSX, and TSX scripts through esm.unpkg.com and inserts executable module scripts. · unpkg.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Integrity metadata
- The metadata example includes a SHA-256 subresource integrity value for each file. · unpkg.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Metadata
- Appending ?meta to a package root or subdirectory returns JSON file metadata, including paths, sizes, types, and subresource integrity values. · unpkg.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Metadata API
- Appending ?meta to a package root or subdirectory returns JSON metadata including file paths, sizes, types, and subresource integrity values. · unpkg.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Module options
- Browser module URLs support options including output target, development mode, custom conditions, dependency overrides, aliases, minification, and source maps. · unpkg.com, 9 Oct 2026
- No-build apps
- The site describes loading JavaScript modules directly into browser apps with import maps, without a bundler. · unpkg.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Nobuild use cases
- The maker describes UNPKG as suited to small projects, prototypes, and other browser apps that need to run without a build pipeline. · unpkg.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Notable cache behavior
- URLs using an unresolved version or range redirect to a resolved version, while the site recommends full version numbers and file paths for the best chance of a cache hit. · unpkg.com, 9 Oct 2026
- npm integration
- UNPKG mirrors npm packages, and the site says files become available on unpkg.com within minutes of publication to npm. · unpkg.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Package exports
- UNPKG supports the full package exports spec, including subpaths, and supports custom export conditions through a query parameter. · unpkg.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Package updates
- The site says npm files become available on UNPKG within minutes of publication. · unpkg.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Package versions
- Package URLs support exact versions, npm dist-tags, and semver ranges, and use the latest tag when no version is specified. · unpkg.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Project and affiliation
- UNPKG describes itself as an open source project from @mjackson and says it is not affiliated with or supported by npm. · unpkg.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Project status
- UNPKG describes itself as an open source project and says it is not affiliated with or supported by npm. · unpkg.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The site directs questions or concerns to @unpkg and says not to contact npm for UNPKG support. · unpkg.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Version resolution
- Package URLs can use an exact version, an npm dist-tag, or a semver range; if no version is specified, UNPKG uses the latest tag. · unpkg.com, 4 Oct 2026
- What it does
- UNPKG is a fast, global CDN for loading any file published on npm using a URL. · unpkg.com, 9 Oct 2026
Where UNPKG stands on Freedom251
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- CDN Software#14 of 33