Quick Reference
| Issue | Solution |
|-------|----------|
| Unnecessary re-renders | React.memo, useMemo, useCallback |
| Expensive computations | useMemo |
| Large bundles | Code splitting, React.lazy |
| Long lists | Virtualization (react-window) |
| Slow state updates | useTransition, useDeferredValue |
| State too high | State colocation |
| Tool | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| React DevTools Profiler | Component render timing |
| web-vitals | CLS, INP, LCP, FCP, TTFB |
| Bundle analyzer | Identify large dependencies |
When to Use This Skill
Use for React performance optimization:
- Diagnosing slow rendering issues
- Implementing memoization correctly
- Setting up code splitting and lazy loading
- Virtualizing long lists for smooth scrolling
- Using concurrent features for responsiveness
- Measuring and improving Web Vitals
For general hooks: see react-hooks-complete
React Performance Optimization
Measuring Performance
React DevTools Profiler
// Wrap components with Profiler for measurement
import { Profiler, ProfilerOnRenderCallback } from 'react';
const onRenderCallback: ProfilerOnRenderCallback = (
id,
phase,
actualDuration,
baseDuration,
startTime,
commitTime
) => {
console.log({
id,
phase,
actualDuration, // Time spent rendering
baseDuration, // Estimated time without memoization
startTime,
commitTime,
});
};
function App() {
return (
<Profiler id="App" onRender={onRenderCallback}>
<MainContent />
</Profiler>
);
}
Web Vitals
import { onCLS, onINP, onLCP, onFCP, onTTFB } from 'web-vitals';
function reportWebVitals(metric: Metric) {
console.log(metric);
// Send to analytics
fetch('/api/analytics', {
method: 'POST',
body: JSON.stringify(metric),
});
}
onCLS(reportWebVitals); // Cumulative Layout Shift
onINP(reportWebVitals); // Interaction to Next Paint
onLCP(reportWebVitals); // Largest Contentful Paint
onFCP(reportWebVitals); // First Contentful Paint
onTTFB(reportWebVitals); // Time to First Byte
Memoization
React.memo
import { memo, useState } from 'react';
// Memoized component - only re-renders when props change
const ExpensiveList = memo(function ExpensiveList({
items,
onItemClick,
}: {
items: Item[];
onItemClick: (id: string) => void;
}) {
console.log('ExpensiveList rendered');
return (
<ul>
{items.map((item) => (
<li key={item.id} onClick={() => onItemClick(item.id)}>
{item.name}
</li>
))}
</ul>
);
});
// With custom comparison
const DeepCompareList = memo(
function DeepCompareList({ data }: { data: ComplexData }) {
return <div>{/* render */}</div>;
},
(prevProps, nextProps) => {
// Return true if props are equal (skip re-render)
return JSON.stringify(prevProps.data) === JSON.stringify(nextProps.data);
}
);
useMemo for Expensive Computations
import { useMemo, useState } from 'react';
function DataTable({ data, filters, sortConfig }: Props) {
// Memoize filtered data
const filteredData = useMemo(() => {
console.log('Filtering data...');
return data.filter((item) => {
return Object.entries(filters).every(([key, value]) => {
if (!value) return true;
return item[key]?.toLowerCase().includes(value.toLowerCase());
});
});
}, [data, filters]);
// Memoize sorted data
const sortedData = useMemo(() => {
console.log('Sorting data...');
if (!sortConfig.key) return filteredData;
return [...filteredData].sort((a, b) => {
const aVal = a[sortConfig.key];
const bVal = b[sortConfig.key];
if (aVal < bVal) return sortConfig.direction === 'asc' ? -1 : 1;
if (aVal > bVal) return sortConfig.direction === 'asc' ? 1 : -1;
return 0;
});
}, [filteredData, sortConfig]);
// Memoize statistics
const stats = useMemo(() => ({
total: sortedData.length,
average: sortedData.reduce((sum, item) => sum + item.value, 0) / sortedData.length,
max: Math.max(...sortedData.map((item) => item.value)),
}), [sortedData]);
return (
<div>
<Stats data={stats} />
<Table data={sortedData} />
</div>
);
}
useCallback for Stable Function References
import { useCallback, useState, memo } from 'react';
// Child component that should not re-render unnecessarily
const SearchInput = memo(function SearchInput({
onSearch,
}: {
onSearch: (query: string) => void;
}) {
console.log('SearchInput rendered');
return <input onChange={(e) => onSearch(e.target.value)} />;
});
function SearchPage() {
const [query, setQuery] = useState('');
const [results, setResults] = useState<Result[]>([]);
// Stable callback reference
const handleSearch = useCallback((searchQuery: string) => {
setQuery(searchQuery);
// Perform search...
}, []);
// Without useCallback, SearchInput would re-render on every parent render
return (
<div>
<SearchInput onSearch={handleSearch} />
<ResultsList results={results} />
</div>
);
}
Code Splitting
React.lazy and Suspense
import { lazy, Suspense } from 'react';
// Lazy load components
const Dashboard = lazy(() => import('./pages/Dashboard'));
const Settings = lazy(() => import('./pages/Settings'));
const Analytics = lazy(() => import('./pages/Analytics'));
// With named exports
const Chart = lazy(() =>
import('./components/Charts').then((module) => ({
default: module.PieChart,
}))
);
function App() {
return (
<Suspense fallback={<LoadingSpinner />}>
<Routes>
<Route path="/dashboard" element={<Dashboard />} />
<Route path="/settings" element={<Settings />} />
<Route path="/analytics" element={<Analytics />} />
</Routes>
</Suspense>
);
}
Route-Based Splitting
import { lazy, Suspense } from 'react';
import { Routes, Route } from 'react-router-dom';
// Preload on hover
const DashboardPage = lazy(() => import('./pages/Dashboard'));
function NavLink({ to, children }: { to: string; children: React.ReactNode }) {
const handleMouseEnter = () => {
// Preload component on hover
if (to === '/dashboard') {
import('./pages/Dashboard');
}
};
return (
<Link to={to} onMouseEnter={handleMouseEnter}>
{children}
</Link>
);
}
Component-Level Splitting
import { lazy, Suspense, useState } from 'react';
// Heavy component loaded only when needed
const RichTextEditor = lazy(() => import('./components/RichTextEditor'));
const ImageEditor = lazy(() => import('./components/ImageEditor'));
function CreatePost() {
const [showEditor, setShowEditor] = useState(false);
const [showImageEditor, setShowImageEditor] = useState(false);
return (
<div>
<button onClick={() => setShowEditor(true)}>Open Editor</button>
{showEditor && (
<Suspense fallback={<EditorSkeleton />}>
<RichTextEditor />
</Suspense>
)}
<button onClick={() => setShowImageEditor(true)}>Edit Image</button>
{showImageEditor && (
<Suspense fallback={<ImageEditorSkeleton />}>
<ImageEditor />
</Suspense>
)}
</div>
);
}
List Virtualization
react-window
import { FixedSizeList, VariableSizeList } from 'react-window';
// Fixed size items
function VirtualizedList({ items }: { items: Item[] }) {
const Row = ({ index, style }: { index: number; style: React.CSSProperties }) => (
<div style={style}>
{items[index].name}
</div>
);
return (
<FixedSizeList
height={600}
itemCount={items.length}
itemSize={50}
width="100%"
>
{Row}
</FixedSizeList>
);
}
// Variable size items
function VirtualizedVariableList({ items }: { items: Item[] }) {
const getItemSize = (index: number) => {
return items[index].content.length > 100 ? 100 : 50;
};
const Row = ({ index, style }: { index: number; style: React.CSSProperties }) => (
<div style={style}>
<h3>{items[index].title}</h3>
<p>{items[index].content}</p>
</div>
);
return (
<VariableSizeList
height={600}
itemCount={items.length}
itemSize={getItemSize}
width="100%"
>
{Row}
</VariableSizeList>
);
}
react-virtuoso
import { Virtuoso, VirtuosoGrid } from 'react-virtuoso';
// Simple virtualized list
function VirtuosoList({ items }: { items: Item[] }) {
return (
<Virtuoso
style={{ height: '600px' }}
totalCount={items.length}
itemContent={(index) => (
<div className="item">
<h3>{items[index].title}</h3>
<p>{items[index].description}</p>
</div>
)}
/>
);
}
// With grouping
function GroupedList({ groups }: { groups: Group[] }) {
const groupCounts = groups.map((g) => g.items.length);
const allItems = groups.flatMap((g) => g.items);
return (
<Virtuoso
style={{ height: '600px' }}
groupCounts={groupCounts}
groupContent={(index) => (
<div className="group-header">{groups[index].name}</div>
)}
itemContent={(index) => (
<div className="item">{allItems[index].name}</div>
)}
/>
);
}
Avoiding Unnecessary Renders
State Colocation
// Bad - state too high in tree
function App() {
const [searchQuery, setSearchQuery] = useState('');
return (
<div>
<Header /> {/* Re-renders when searchQuery changes */}
<SearchSection query={searchQuery} setQuery={setSearchQuery} />
<Footer /> {/* Re-renders when searchQuery changes */}
</div>
);
}
// Good - state colocated with usage
function App() {
return (
<div>
<Header />
<SearchSection /> {/* Manages its own state */}
<Footer />
</div>
);
}
function SearchSection() {
const [searchQuery, setSearchQuery] = useState('');
return (
<div>
<input value={searchQuery} onChange={(e) => setSearchQuery(e.target.value)} />
<SearchResults query={searchQuery} />
</div>
);
}
Children as Props
// Bad - re-renders children on state change
function Modal({ isOpen, children }: Props) {
const [position, setPosition] = useState({ x: 0, y: 0 });
return isOpen ? (
<div style={{ left: position.x, top: position.y }}>
{children} {/* Re-renders when position changes */}
</div>
) : null;
}
// Good - children are stable
function Modal({ isOpen, children }: Props) {
const [position, setPosition] = useState({ x: 0, y: 0 });
// children is a prop, not re-created on render
return isOpen ? (
<div style={{ left: position.x, top: position.y }}>
{children}
</div>
) : null;
}
Composition Pattern
// Bad - entire tree re-renders
function SlowComponent({ isOpen }: { isOpen: boolean }) {
const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
const [items] = useState(generateLargeList());
return (
<div>
<button onClick={() => setCount(c => c + 1)}>Count: {count}</button>
<ExpensiveTree items={items} /> {/* Re-renders on count change */}
</div>
);
}
// Good - expensive component isolated
function FastComponent() {
return (
<div>
<Counter />
<ExpensiveTreeWrapper />
</div>
);
}
function Counter() {
const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
return <button onClick={() => setCount(c => c + 1)}>Count: {count}</button>;
}
function ExpensiveTreeWrapper() {
const [items] = useState(generateLargeList());
return <ExpensiveTree items={items} />;
}
Concurrent Features
useTransition for Non-Blocking Updates
import { useState, useTransition, memo } from 'react';
const SlowList = memo(function SlowList({ text }: { text: string }) {
const items = [];
for (let i = 0; i < 10000; i++) {
items.push(<li key={i}>{text}</li>);
}
return <ul>{items}</ul>;
});
function SearchWithTransition() {
const [query, setQuery] = useState('');
const [isPending, startTransition] = useTransition();
const handleChange = (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
const value = e.target.value;
// Urgent update - keep input responsive
setQuery(value);
// Non-urgent update - can be interrupted
startTransition(() => {
setQuery(value);
});
};
return (
<div>
<input value={query} onChange={handleChange} />
<div style={{ opacity: isPending ? 0.7 : 1 }}>
<SlowList text={query} />
</div>
</div>
);
}
useDeferredValue for Deferred Rendering
import { useState, useDeferredValue, memo } from 'react';
const SearchResults = memo(function SearchResults({ query }: { query: string }) {
// Expensive search/filter operation
const results = expensiveSearch(query);
return (
<ul>
{results.map((result) => (
<li key={result.id}>{result.name}</li>
))}
</ul>
);
});
function SearchWithDeferredValue() {
const [query, setQuery] = useState('');
const deferredQuery = useDeferredValue(query);
// Show stale indicator
const isStale = query !== deferredQuery;
return (
<div>
<input
value={query}
onChange={(e) => setQuery(e.target.value)}
placeholder="Search..."
/>
<div style={{ opacity: isStale ? 0.7 : 1 }}>
<SearchResults query={deferredQuery} />
</div>
</div>
);
}
Image Optimization
Lazy Loading Images
function LazyImage({ src, alt, ...props }: React.ImgHTMLAttributes<HTMLImageElement>) {
return (
<img
src={src}
alt={alt}
loading="lazy"
decoding="async"
{...props}
/>
);
}
// With placeholder
function OptimizedImage({ src, alt, width, height }: Props) {
const [isLoaded, setIsLoaded] = useState(false);
return (
<div style={{ position: 'relative', width, height }}>
{!isLoaded && <div className="placeholder skeleton" />}
<img
src={src}
alt={alt}
loading="lazy"
onLoad={() => setIsLoaded(true)}
style={{ opacity: isLoaded ? 1 : 0 }}
/>
</div>
);
}
Responsive Images
function ResponsiveImage({ src, alt }: { src: string; alt: string }) {
return (
<picture>
<source
media="(max-width: 640px)"
srcSet={`${src}?w=640 1x, ${src}?w=1280 2x`}
/>
<source
media="(max-width: 1024px)"
srcSet={`${src}?w=1024 1x, ${src}?w=2048 2x`}
/>
<img
src={`${src}?w=1920`}
alt={alt}
loading="lazy"
decoding="async"
/>
</picture>
);
}
Bundle Optimization
Analyzing Bundle
# With webpack
npx webpack-bundle-analyzer stats.json
# With Vite
npx vite-bundle-analyzer
Tree Shaking
// Bad - imports entire library
import _ from 'lodash';
const sorted = _.sortBy(items, 'name');
// Good - import only what you need
import sortBy from 'lodash/sortBy';
const sorted = sortBy(items, 'name');
// Best - use native methods when possible
const sorted = [...items].sort((a, b) => a.name.localeCompare(b.name));
Dynamic Imports
// Load heavy libraries on demand
async function handleExport() {
const { jsPDF } = await import('jspdf');
const doc = new jsPDF();
doc.text('Hello world!', 10, 10);
doc.save('document.pdf');
}
async function handleChart() {
const { Chart } = await import('chart.js/auto');
new Chart(ctx, config);
}
Best Practices Summary
| Issue | Solution | |-------|----------| | Unnecessary re-renders | React.memo, useMemo, useCallback | | Expensive computations | useMemo | | Large bundles | Code splitting, lazy loading | | Long lists | Virtualization | | Slow state updates | useTransition, useDeferredValue | | Image performance | Lazy loading, responsive images | | State too high | State colocation |
Media Element Performance
Video and audio elements require special attention in React because the browser's media pipeline is stateful and expensive to initialize. Unlike most DOM elements, a <video> element manages hardware decoder instances, buffered data, and playback state. When React unmounts and remounts a video element, the browser must tear down the entire decoder pipeline and restart it from scratch --- a process called decoder churn.
Why Video Re-renders Are Costly
On mobile devices, decoder churn is especially destructive:
| Impact | Desktop | Mobile | |--------|---------|--------| | Decoder initialization | ~50ms | ~200-500ms | | Simultaneous decoders | 8-16 | 3-4 (hardware limited) | | Battery drain per restart | Negligible | Measurable | | Visual glitch | Brief flash | Black frame + delay |
When a parent component re-renders and causes a <video> element to remount, the browser:
- Destroys the existing hardware decoder instance
- Releases all buffered video data
- Allocates a new decoder (may fail if device limit reached)
- Re-fetches and re-buffers the video stream
- Restarts playback from the beginning (or seeks back)
Preventing Video Remounting with Stable Keys
The most common cause of video remounting is unstable keys or conditional rendering that changes the component tree structure:
// BAD - video remounts every time filter changes
function VideoFeed({ videos, filter }: Props) {
const filtered = videos.filter(v => v.category === filter);
return (
<div>
{filtered.map((video, index) => (
// Using index as key means elements shift and remount
<video key={index} src={video.src} />
))}
</div>
);
}
// GOOD - stable keys prevent remounting
function VideoFeed({ videos, filter }: Props) {
const filtered = videos.filter(v => v.category === filter);
return (
<div>
{filtered.map((video) => (
// Stable ID keeps the same DOM element across re-renders
<video key={video.id} src={video.src} />
))}
</div>
);
}
Ref-Based Video Element Management
Use useRef to interact with video elements imperatively, avoiding state-driven patterns that trigger re-renders:
import { useRef, useCallback, memo } from 'react';
const VideoPlayer = memo(function VideoPlayer({
src,
poster,
}: {
src: string;
poster?: string;
}) {
const videoRef = useRef<HTMLVideoElement>(null);
// Imperative control avoids re-renders
const play = useCallback(() => {
videoRef.current?.play();
}, []);
const pause = useCallback(() => {
videoRef.current?.pause();
}, []);
const seek = useCallback((time: number) => {
if (videoRef.current) {
videoRef.current.currentTime = time;
}
}, []);
return (
<div>
<video
ref={videoRef}
src={src}
poster={poster}
playsInline
preload="metadata"
onPlay={() => {/* update UI without re-rendering video */}}
onPause={() => {/* update UI without re-rendering video */}}
/>
<button onClick={play}>Play</button>
<button onClick={pause}>Pause</button>
</div>
);
});
Memoizing Video Components
Wrap video components with React.memo and memoize all non-primitive props to prevent unnecessary re-renders:
import { memo, useMemo, useCallback } from 'react';
interface VideoCardProps {
id: string;
src: string;
title: string;
onPlay: (id: string) => void;
onTimeUpdate: (id: string, time: number) => void;
}
const VideoCard = memo(function VideoCard({
id,
src,
title,
onPlay,
onTimeUpdate,
}: VideoCardProps) {
// Stable source object prevents <source> element remount
const sourceProps = useMemo(
() => ({ src, type: 'video/mp4' }),
[src]
);
const handlePlay = useCallback(() => onPlay(id), [onPlay, id]);
const handleTimeUpdate = useCallback(
(e: React.SyntheticEvent<HTMLVideoElement>) => {
onTimeUpdate(id, e.currentTarget.currentTime);
},
[onTimeUpdate, id]
);
return (
<div>
<h3>{title}</h3>
<video
playsInline
preload="metadata"
onPlay={handlePlay}
onTimeUpdate={handleTimeUpdate}
>
<source src={sourceProps.src} type={sourceProps.type} />
</video>
</div>
);
});
// Parent component with stable callbacks
function VideoList({ videos }: { videos: Video[] }) {
const handlePlay = useCallback((id: string) => {
console.log('Playing:', id);
}, []);
const handleTimeUpdate = useCallback((id: string, time: number) => {
// Update progress without triggering re-render of video components
progressRef.current.set(id, time);
}, []);
const progressRef = useRef(new Map<string, number>());
return (
<div>
{videos.map((video) => (
<VideoCard
key={video.id}
id={video.id}
src={video.src}
title={video.title}
onPlay={handlePlay}
onTimeUpdate={handleTimeUpdate}
/>
))}
</div>
);
}
Portal Lifecycle and Video Elements
React portals can cause unexpected video remounting when the portal's parent moves in the DOM tree. The portal content unmounts and remounts, destroying the video decoder:
import { useState, useRef, useEffect, createPortal } from 'react';
// BAD - video remounts when switching between inline and modal
function VideoWithModal({ src }: { src: string }) {
const [isModal, setIsModal] = useState(false);
if (isModal) {
return createPortal(
<div className="modal">
{/* This creates a NEW video element, losing playback state */}
<video src={src} playsInline />
<button onClick={() => setIsModal(false)}>Close</button>
</div>,
document.body
);
}
return (
<div>
<video src={src} playsInline />
<button onClick={() => setIsModal(true)}>Expand</button>
</div>
);
}
// GOOD - move the DOM node instead of recreating it
function VideoWithModal({ src }: { src: string }) {
const [isModal, setIsModal] = useState(false);
const videoRef = useRef<HTMLVideoElement>(null);
const inlineContainerRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
const modalContainerRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
useEffect(() => {
const video = videoRef.current;
if (!video) return;
// Move the existing video DOM node instead of recreating it
const target = isModal
? modalContainerRef.current
: inlineContainerRef.current;
target?.appendChild(video);
}, [isModal]);
return (
<>
{/* Video element created once, moved between containers */}
<video
ref={videoRef}
src={src}
playsInline
style={{ display: 'none' }}
/>
<div ref={inlineContainerRef}>
{!isModal && (
<button onClick={() => setIsModal(true)}>Expand</button>
)}
</div>
{isModal &&
createPortal(
<div className="modal">
<div ref={modalContainerRef} />
<button onClick={() => setIsModal(false)}>Close</button>
</div>,
document.body
)}
</>
);
}
Intersection Observer for Lazy Video Loading
On mobile, loading all videos simultaneously wastes bandwidth, drains battery, and can exhaust the device's limited hardware decoder slots. Use Intersection Observer to load and play videos only when visible:
import { useRef, useEffect, useState, memo } from 'react';
const LazyVideo = memo(function LazyVideo({
src,
poster,
preloadMargin = '200px',
}: {
src: string;
poster?: string;
preloadMargin?: string;
}) {
const containerRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
const videoRef = useRef<HTMLVideoElement>(null);
const [isVisible, setIsVisible] = useState(false);
useEffect(() => {
const container = containerRef.current;
if (!container) return;
const observer = new IntersectionObserver(
([entry]) => {
if (entry.isIntersecting) {
setIsVisible(true);
// Optionally auto-play when visible
videoRef.current?.play().catch(() => {
// Autoplay blocked by browser policy - this is expected
});
} else {
// Pause when scrolled out of view to save resources
videoRef.current?.pause();
}
},
{
rootMargin: preloadMargin, // Start loading before fully visible
threshold: 0.25,
}
);
observer.observe(container);
return () => observer.disconnect();
}, [preloadMargin]);
return (
<div ref={containerRef} style={{ aspectRatio: '16/9' }}>
<video
ref={videoRef}
// Only set src when near viewport to prevent premature loading
src={isVisible ? src : undefined}
poster={poster}
playsInline
muted
loop
preload={isVisible ? 'auto' : 'none'}
style={{ width: '100%', height: '100%', objectFit: 'cover' }}
/>
</div>
);
});
// Usage in a feed - only visible videos consume decoder slots
function VideoFeed({ videos }: { videos: VideoItem[] }) {
return (
<div>
{videos.map((video) => (
<LazyVideo
key={video.id}
src={video.src}
poster={video.poster}
/>
))}
</div>
);
}
Mobile-Specific Video Attributes
Always include these attributes for proper mobile video behavior:
<video
ref={videoRef}
src={src}
playsInline // REQUIRED: prevents iOS Safari fullscreen takeover
muted // Required for autoplay on all mobile browsers
preload="metadata" // Load dimensions/duration only, not full video
poster={posterUrl} // Show image while video loads (saves bandwidth)
disablePictureInPicture // Prevent PiP on mobile if unwanted
controlsList="nodownload nofullscreen noremoteplayback"
/>
Multiple Simultaneous Video Decoders
Mobile devices typically support only 3-4 simultaneous hardware video decoders. Exceeding this limit causes videos to fall back to software decoding (slow, battery-draining) or fail entirely:
import { useRef, useCallback } from 'react';
// Limit active video decoders across the application
const MAX_ACTIVE_VIDEOS = 3;
function useVideoDecoderPool() {
const activeVideos = useRef<Set<HTMLVideoElement>>(new Set());
const activate = useCallback((video: HTMLVideoElement) => {
if (activeVideos.current.size >= MAX_ACTIVE_VIDEOS) {
// Pause the oldest active video to free a decoder slot
const oldest = activeVideos.current.values().next().value;
if (oldest) {
oldest.pause();
oldest.removeAttribute('src');
oldest.load(); // Release the decoder
activeVideos.current.delete(oldest);
}
}
activeVideos.current.add(video);
}, []);
const deactivate = useCallback((video: HTMLVideoElement) => {
activeVideos.current.delete(video);
}, []);
return { activate, deactivate };
}
Additional References
For comprehensive guides on specific optimization techniques, see:
references/virtualization-guide.md- Complete guide to virtualized lists with react-window, react-virtuoso, and @tanstack/react-virtual