Top 50 React JS Interview Questions & Answers in 2025
Updated on Mar 24, 2025 | 26 min read | 1.4k views
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Updated on Mar 24, 2025 | 26 min read | 1.4k views
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React JS is an open-source JavaScript library for building user interfaces, especially single-page applications with dynamic content. Developed by Meta (formerly Facebook), it was first released in 2013. React’s component-based architecture and declarative approach simplify UI development, making it a top choice for modern web applications. Its Virtual DOM ensures high performance, while hooks and state management add flexibility.
This blog covers the top 50 React interview questions, ranging from basic to advanced topics. You’ll find questions on components, hooks, state management, Redux, routing, performance optimization, styling, and testing. Reviewing these React interview questions will strengthen your understanding and improve your chances of landing a React developer role.
React JS is one of the most popular front-end libraries for scalable and dynamic web applications. Its component-based structure, Virtual DOM, and state management make development faster and more efficient. Businesses prefer React for building high-performance, responsive UIs. As both startups and enterprises continue adopting React, the demand for skilled developers keeps rising. In 2025, mastering React remains a valuable career asset.
Here are 20 commonly asked React JS interview questions for freshers, categorized based on different aspects of React:
React JS Basics Questions
React JS is an open-source JavaScript library used for building user interfaces, primarily for single-page applications (SPAs). It enables developers to create fast, interactive, and reusable UI components using a declarative and component-based approach. React ensures high performance through its Virtual DOM, making UI updates efficient and seamless.
React, Angular, and Vue are popular front-end technologies used for building modern web applications. While React is a library focused on building UI components, Angular is a full-fledged framework with built-in solutions, and Vue offers a balance between both. The choice between them depends on project requirements, complexity, and developer preference.
Feature |
React JS |
Angular |
Vue JS |
Type | Library for UI development | Full-fledged framework | Progressive framework |
Architecture | Component-based | MVC (Model-View-Controller) | Component-based |
Language | JavaScript (JSX) | TypeScript | JavaScript (with Vue syntax) |
State Handling | Hooks, Redux, Context API | Built-in services | Vuex (state management) |
DOM Handling | Virtual DOM | Real DOM with optimizations | Virtual DOM |
Learning Curve | Moderate | Steep | Easy to moderate |
JSX (JavaScript XML) is a syntax extension for JavaScript that allows writing UI components using HTML-like code within JavaScript. JSX makes React code more readable and easier to write. It gets compiled into JavaScript function calls using Babel before execution.
Example:
JSX Code
const element = <h1>Hello, React!</h1>;
Transpiled JavaScript Code (Using Babel)
const element = React.createElement('h1', null, 'Hello, React!');
This transformation ensures that JSX is converted into standard JavaScript code that browsers can understand.
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Babel is a JavaScript compiler that transforms modern JavaScript (ES6+) and JSX into a format that browsers can understand. It ensures compatibility across different environments by converting advanced JavaScript features into ES5-compatible code.
React JS Components and Lifecycle
React components are reusable, independent pieces of UI that can be composed to build complex applications. They help in maintaining modularity and improve code maintainability.
Feature |
Functional Components |
Class Components |
Syntax | JavaScript functions | ES6 classes extending React.Component |
State Management | Uses Hooks (useState, useEffect) | Uses this.state and lifecycle methods |
Performance | More optimized due to no this binding | Slightly less efficient due to this binding |
Lifecycle Methods | Not available (handled via hooks) | Uses lifecycle methods (componentDidMount, etc.) |
Readability | More concise and easy to read | More verbose and complex |
In React, form inputs can be handled in two ways: controlled and uncontrolled components. Controlled components rely on React state to manage input values, making them predictable and easier to control. Uncontrolled components, on the other hand, use the DOM directly to store input values, making them more like traditional HTML form elements. The choice between them depends on the level of control and flexibility needed in the application.
Feature |
Controlled Components |
Uncontrolled Components |
Data Handling | Managed by React state | Managed by the DOM |
Input Value Access | Accessed via state variables | Accessed via ref |
Updates | On every change (onChange handler) | Only when needed (ref.current.value) |
Performance | Slightly slower due to state updates | Faster as it doesn’t rely on state |
Use Case | Preferred for complex forms with validation | Suitable for simple form inputs |
React components go through three lifecycle phases:
shouldComponentUpdate(nextProps, nextState) is a lifecycle method used to optimize performance by preventing unnecessary re-renders. It returns a boolean:
A component can be forced to re-render using:
React JS Hooks and State Management
React Hooks are functions that allow functional components to manage state and lifecycle events in JavaScript without needing class components. Hooks improve code readability, reduce boilerplate, and enhance reusability. Common hooks include useState, useEffect, useContext, and useReducer.
In React, useState and useEffect are two important hooks that help manage state and side effects in functional components. The useState hook is used to declare and update state variables, while the useEffect hook is used to handle side effects like data fetching, subscriptions, or DOM updates.
Feature |
useState |
useEffect |
Purpose | Manages component state | Handles side effects in components |
Execution | Runs synchronously on state updates | Runs after render or when dependencies change |
Parameters | Initial state value | Function with optional dependency array |
Returns | State variable and updater function | No return value (executes side effect) |
Common Use Cases | Form handling, toggling UI elements | Fetching data, setting up event listeners |
Did You Know? “React was first used in Facebook’s News Feed in 2011 and later on Instagram in 2012.” |
The useContext hook provides access to global state without prop drilling. It allows components to consume values from a React Context without passing props manually. It is commonly used for theme management, authentication, and state sharing across components.
In React, both useState and useReducer are used for state management in functional components. While useState is simpler and ideal for managing local component states, useReducer is better suited for handling complex state logic with multiple state transitions.
Feature |
useState |
useReducer |
Purpose | Manages simple state changes | Manages complex state logic with actions |
Parameters | Initial state value | Reducer function and initial state |
Returns | State variable and updater function | State and a dispatch function |
State Management | Directly updates state using the setter function | Uses a reducer function to determine state updates |
Use Cases | Form inputs, toggles, counters | Complex state transitions, managing state based on actions |
Custom hooks are reusable functions that encapsulate logic using built-in React hooks. They help in separating concerns and reusing stateful logic across components.
Example of a custom hook (useFetch for API requests):
import { useState, useEffect } from "react";
const useFetch = (url) => {
const [data, setData] = useState(null);
const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true);
useEffect(() => {
fetch(url)
.then(response => response.json())
.then(data => {
setData(data);
setLoading(false);
});
}, [url]);
return { data, loading };
};
export default useFetch;
This custom hook can be used in any component to fetch data from an API.
React JS Redux and Performance Optimization
Redux is a state management library for JavaScript applications, commonly used with React to manage global application state. It follows a unidirectional data flow and uses a centralized store to maintain application state, making it easier to manage and debug state changes.
Redux is used in React applications to:
Must Read: Top 7 React JS Free Courses with Certificate Options [2025]
Redux is based on three fundamental principles:
These principles help maintain consistency, simplify debugging, and improve scalability in React applications.
React.memo and useMemo are optimization techniques in React that help reduce unnecessary re-renders and improve application performance.
Example:
const MemoizedComponent = React.memo(MyComponent);
Example:
const computedValue = useMemo(() => expensiveFunction(data), [data]);
By using React.memo and useMemo, developers can prevent unnecessary renders, leading to better performance.
Redux handles asynchronous actions using middleware such as Redux Thunk or Redux Saga:
Optimizing a React application involves reducing unnecessary re-renders, improving loading times, and minimizing resource consumption. Common techniques include:
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Higher-Order Components (HOCs) are a design pattern in React that allows for code reuse. An HOC is a function that takes a component as an argument and returns a new enhanced component. HOCs are commonly used for adding functionalities like authentication, logging, or data fetching without modifying the original component.
Example:
const withLogging = (WrappedComponent) => {
return (props) => {
console.log("Component rendered with props:", props);
return <WrappedComponent {...props} />;
};
};
const MyComponent = (props) => <h2>Hello, {props.name}!</h2>;
const EnhancedComponent = withLogging(MyComponent);
// Usage
<EnhancedComponent name="John" />;
Here, withLogging is an HOC that logs component props each time the component renders.
Refs (short for references) provide a way to directly interact with DOM elements or React components without causing a re-render. They are useful when you need to focus an input field, trigger animations, or maintain non-reactive values.
Example:
import React, { useRef, useEffect } from "react";
const FocusInput = () => {
const inputRef = useRef(null);
useEffect(() => {
inputRef.current.focus();
}, []);
return <input ref={inputRef} type="text" placeholder="Auto-focused input" />;
};
export default FocusInput;
Here, useRef stores a reference to the input element, and useEffect ensures the input is focused when the component mounts.
React’s reconciliation algorithm efficiently updates the UI by using a Virtual DOM. Instead of updating the entire DOM, React follows these steps:
React uses a key attribute to optimize reconciliation, ensuring minimal re-renders and improved performance.
State management is crucial for handling UI updates efficiently. The common ways to manage state in React are:
Each approach is useful depending on the complexity and scalability of the application.
The Context API is a built-in React feature used for managing global state without prop drilling. It allows you to share data between components without explicitly passing props through each level.
When to use Context API?
Example:
import React, { createContext, useContext } from "react";
const UserContext = createContext();
const UserProvider = ({ children }) => {
return <UserContext.Provider value="John Doe">{children}</UserContext.Provider>;
};
const DisplayUser = () => {
const user = useContext(UserContext);
return <h2>User: {user}</h2>;
};
const App = () => (
<UserProvider>
<DisplayUser />
</UserProvider>
);
export default App;
Here, UserContext provides a global value accessible by DisplayUser, avoiding prop drilling.
Did You Know? “React Native powers mobile apps for Tesla, Instagram, and Airbnb, enabling cross-platform development.” |
React Performance Optimization Questions
Optimizing performance in React applications is essential for ensuring a smooth user experience. Here are some key best practices:
The Virtual DOM (VDOM) is a lightweight, in-memory representation of the actual DOM. React uses it to optimize UI updates.
How it works:
This mechanism ensures faster updates and enhances performance, as manipulating the real DOM is slow and expensive.
Unnecessary re-renders can degrade React app performance. Here are some strategies to prevent them:
A Pure Component in React is a class component that implements shouldComponentUpdate to prevent unnecessary re-renders. It performs a shallow comparison of props and state and only updates if there are changes.
Example of a Pure Component:
import React, { PureComponent } from "react";
class MyComponent extends PureComponent {
render() {
console.log("Component re-rendered");
return <h2>Hello, {this.props.name}!</h2>;
}
}
export default MyComponent;
Here, MyComponent will only re-render if name prop changes, improving performance.
For functional components, React.memo provides similar behavior:
const MyComponent = React.memo(({ name }) => {
console.log("Component re-rendered");
return <h2>Hello, {name}!</h2>;
});
This prevents re-rendering unless name changes.
Also Read: How to Make Ant Design Table (AntD) in React JS
In React, both useMemo and useCallback are used to optimize performance by reducing unnecessary computations and function recreations. While they seem similar, they serve different purposes.
Here is a detailed comparison:
Feature |
useMemo |
useCallback |
Purpose | Memorizes computed values to avoid expensive recalculations | Memorizes function references to prevent unnecessary re-creation |
Use Case | Useful for optimizing costly calculations | Useful when passing functions as props to child components |
Returns | A cached value | A memoized function |
Dependency Array | Recomputes only if dependencies change | Returns the same function reference unless dependencies change |
Example Usage | Caching the result of an expensive calculation | Preventing function re-creation in event handlers |
React Hooks and Advanced State Management Questions
React Hooks provide a way to use state and lifecycle methods in functional components, making them more powerful and flexible. However, they come with their own advantages and limitations.
Feature |
Advantages |
Limitations |
Simplified Code | Hooks eliminate the need for class components, making code easier to read and maintain. | Can lead to complex and hard-to-debug logic if overused. |
Reusability | Custom hooks enable the reuse of logic across components. | Not all class component features are directly available in hooks. |
Performance Optimization | Avoids unnecessary re-renders with useMemo and useCallback. | If not managed properly, hooks like useEffect can cause performance issues. |
Improved State Management | useState, useReducer, and useContext offer flexible state handling. | Complex state logic may still require external libraries like Redux. |
Better Function Component Usage | Enables the use of lifecycle features in functional components. | Requires understanding of closures and dependencies to avoid unexpected behavior. |
useRef is a React Hook that returns a mutable object (ref) which persists across renders without causing re-renders. It is commonly used for:
Both useEffect and useLayoutEffect are used to handle side effects in React, but they differ in execution timing.
Feature |
useEffect |
useLayoutEffect |
Execution Timing | Runs asynchronously after the DOM update (painted) | Runs synchronously after the DOM update but before the paint |
Performance Impact | More optimized for rendering since it doesn’t block painting | Can block UI rendering if performing heavy computations |
Use Cases | Fetching data, event listeners, logging | DOM measurements, animations, manipulating layout before paint |
Example Scenario | Updating state after API response | Measuring and adjusting UI elements dynamically |
In React, useReducer is used for handling complex state logic by following a reducer pattern. It takes a reducer function and an initial state, updating state based on dispatched actions. Unlike useState, it centralizes state management, making it ideal for scenarios with multiple state transitions, such as form handling or deeply nested components. It improves maintainability and simplifies debugging.
Basic Structure of useReducer
const [state, dispatch] = useReducer(reducer, initialState);
React Context API and Redux are both state management solutions, but they serve different purposes.
Feature |
React Context API |
Redux |
Purpose | Used for prop drilling elimination and global state sharing | Used for centralized state management across applications |
Complexity | Simple and built-in to React | More complex, requires additional setup |
State Structure | Provides global state but does not enforce structure | Uses a strict, predictable state container |
Performance | May cause unnecessary re-renders if not optimized | Optimized with reducers and middleware |
When to Use Which?
React with Redux and Asynchronous Data Handling
In Redux, multiple actions can be dispatched sequentially using middleware like Redux Thunk or Redux Saga. This approach is useful when you need to update the state in steps based on the outcome of previous actions.
In Redux, the store acts as the central hub for managing application state. It holds the entire state tree and ensures consistency across components. The store is created using createStore (or configureStore in Redux Toolkit) and provides methods such as dispatch() to trigger state updates and subscribe() to listen for changes.
Key aspects of the Redux store include:
Using Redux helps in structuring state management for scalable and maintainable applications, especially when multiple components need shared access to data.
In Redux, actions and reducers follow a strict unidirectional data flow, ensuring predictable state management.
Workflow:
This structured flow ensures state updates are traceable, manageable, and predictable, making debugging and testing easier.
Also Read: 10 Practical Applications of JavaScript And Career Tips
Redux follows a synchronous state update mechanism by default. However, many applications require handling asynchronous operations such as API calls or background tasks. Redux alone cannot manage async logic, so middleware like Redux Thunk or Redux Saga is used.
Middleware intercepts dispatched actions, allowing developers to perform side effects (e.g., fetch data) before updating the state. Without middleware, Redux can only process plain synchronous actions, making it unsuitable for handling async operations efficiently.
Asynchronous data handling is crucial because:
Using Redux Thunk (simpler) or Redux Saga (more scalable) ensures better control over async workflows while maintaining Redux’s predictable state management principles.
React Router and Navigation
React Router is a popular library used for handling navigation and routing in React applications. It enables developers to create single-page applications (SPAs) with multiple views without requiring full-page reloads. React Router works by maintaining the UI state in sync with the URL, rendering different components based on the URL path.
It uses a declarative approach where routes are defined using components like <BrowserRouter>, <Routes>, and <Route>. These components determine which component should be displayed based on the URL. React Router also provides navigation functions, dynamic routing, and route guards for authentication.
Dynamic routing in React allows rendering different components based on dynamic parameters in the URL. Instead of defining static paths, dynamic routes use placeholders (e.g., /users/:id) to capture values from the URL.
To implement dynamic routing:
Dynamic routing is useful for handling user profiles, product pages, and other content that varies based on URL parameters.
Feature | BrowserRouter |
HashRouter |
URL Structure | Uses clean URLs (e.g., /home, /about) | Uses hash-based URLs (e.g., /#/home, /#/about) |
History Mode | Uses HTML5 history API for navigation | Uses URL hash (#) for navigation |
SEO Friendly | Yes, since URLs are structured properly | Less SEO-friendly due to hash-based URLs |
Server Support | Requires proper server configuration to handle routes | Works without server configuration since everything after # is ignored by the server |
Use Case | Preferred for modern web apps with backend support | Useful for static sites, legacy browsers, and environments without server configuration |
BrowserRouter is ideal for most React applications, whereas HashRouter is used in environments where server-side configuration is not possible.
Protected routes restrict access to certain pages based on authentication or authorization. To handle protected routes in React:
This ensures that only authorized users can access sensitive pages like dashboards or account settings.
React Router provides multiple ways to navigate between pages:
Each method is useful in different scenarios, depending on whether navigation needs to be triggered declaratively or programmatically.
React Testing and Best Practices
Jest is a popular testing framework for JavaScript, and React Testing Library (RTL) provides utilities for testing React components. Unit testing in React involves verifying that individual components behave as expected.
To write unit tests:
Unit tests help ensure that components function correctly in isolation before integration with the full application.
Snapshot testing captures the output of a React component and compares it against a previously saved version. If the rendered output changes unexpectedly, the test fails, indicating a possible unintended change in the UI.
Snapshot tests are useful for:
However, excessive reliance on snapshot tests can lead to false positives, requiring frequent updates when intentional UI changes occur.
Testing asynchronous components involves waiting for UI updates triggered by async operations such as API calls. Key strategies include:
Proper async testing ensures that components handle real-world API interactions correctly.
Effective debugging in React includes:
Using these debugging techniques helps identify issues efficiently, reducing development time.
Accessibility (a11y) ensures that web applications are usable by people with disabilities. Best practices include:
Preparing for React JS Interview Questions requires a combination of strong conceptual knowledge, hands-on coding experience, and familiarity with industry best practices. Below are some key focus areas to help you succeed in your React interviews.
Must Read: Top 28 React Projects for Beginners in 2025 [Source Code Included]
Preparing for React JS Interview Questions is crucial for developers looking to excel in front-end development. React’s efficiency, component-based architecture, and state management capabilities make it a preferred choice for modern web applications. To succeed in interviews, candidates should focus on both core concepts and advanced topics such as React Hooks, Redux, and performance optimization.
Regular practice is key to mastering React JS Interview Questions. Building real-world projects, contributing to open-source, and solving coding challenges help reinforce theoretical knowledge. Additionally, staying updated with the latest React trends and best practices ensures long-term career growth.
By continuously improving problem-solving skills and understanding React’s evolving ecosystem, developers can confidently tackle technical interviews and build scalable, high-performance applications.
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