Skip to content

How to use .env files in Node.js with import syntax

I assume you have a Node.js project set up to use ES modules, and you want to use a .env file to store a secret, like this:

PASSWORD=secret

And you want to have it available in your Node.js script.

Here’s how to do it.

Install the dotenv package:

npm i dotenv

Then use this code:

import * as dotenv from 'dotenv'
dotenv.config()
console.log(process.env.PASSWORD)

This assumes you use ES modules (if not, it’s as easy as adding "type": "module", in your package.json)


→ Here's my latest YouTube video

→ Get my Node.js Handbook

→ I wrote 17 books to help you become a better developer, download them all at $0 cost by joining my newsletter

JOIN MY CODING BOOTCAMP, an amazing cohort course that will be a huge step up in your coding career - covering React, Next.js - next edition February 2025

Bootcamp 2025

Join the waiting list