npm-outdated

checks the registry for newer versions of installed packages

TLDR

Check outdated packages

$ npm outdated

Check global packages

$ npm outdated -g

Output as JSON

$ npm outdated --json

Check specific package

$ npm outdated [package]

Long format output

$ npm outdated --long

Include nested (transitive) dependencies

$ npm outdated --all

Parseable tab-separated output

$ npm outdated --parseable

SYNOPSIS

npm outdated [options] [packages...]

npm outdated checks the registry for newer versions of installed packages. It reports the currently installed version, the maximum version satisfying the semver range in package.json (wanted), and the latest version tagged in the registry (latest).Color coding in terminal output: red indicates an available update within your semver range (safe to run `npm update`); yellow indicates a newer version exists that exceeds your semver range (requires a manual bump).

PARAMETERS

-g, --global

Check globally installed packages instead of the local project.

--json

Output as JSON (machine-parseable).

-l, --long

Extended output including package type (dependencies, devDependencies, peerDependencies, optionalDependencies) and homepage.

-p, --parseable

Tab-separated output suitable for parsing.

--all

Show all outdated packages, including meta-dependencies (transitive/nested), not just direct dependencies.

--omit type

Exclude a dependency group (dev, optional, peer). May be set multiple times.

-w, --workspace name

Run the command within the named workspace(s).

-ws, --workspaces

Run across all configured workspaces.

--include-workspace-root

Include the workspace root when running with --workspaces.

OUTPUT COLUMNS

$ Package   Current  Wanted  Latest  Location            Depended by
lodash    4.17.0   4.17.21 4.17.21 node_modules/lodash my-app

Current     - Currently installed version
Wanted      - Max version satisfying semver range
Latest      - Version tagged "latest" in the registry
Location    - Location in the dependency tree
Depended by - Package depending on this one
Package type - (with --long) dependencies/devDependencies/peer/optional

EXAMPLE

$ $ npm outdated
Package  Current  Wanted  Latest
express  4.17.1   4.18.2  4.18.2
lodash   4.17.0   4.17.21 4.17.21

CAVEATS

Only shows direct dependencies by default; pass --all to include transitive ones. The command only reports — it never installs or modifies anything. Use npm update to apply updates within semver ranges, or bump the version in package.json for major upgrades. Exits with a non-zero status when outdated packages are found, which can break CI pipelines.

HISTORY

npm outdated was added to npm to help developers identify packages that need updating, complementing npm update.