React Hooks Cheat Sheet: Stop Overcomplicating Things! ⚡

Hey! Still confused about React Hooks? You're not alone. Here's the simple truth about the most important hooks:

🏁 useState - The Memory Hook

const [value, setValue] = useState(initialValue);

What it does: Remembers data between renders.
When to use: Any data that changes (form inputs, counters, toggles).

🎯 useEffect - The Side Effect Hook

useEffect(() => {
  // Your code here
  return () => cleanup(); // Optional cleanup
}, [dependencies]);

What it does: Runs code after render.
When to use: API calls, timers, subscriptions, DOM updates.

🚀 useRef - The Direct Access Hook

const ref = useRef(initialValue);
// Access with ref.current

What it does: Gives direct access to DOM elements or persistent values.
When to use: Focusing inputs, animations, avoiding re-renders.

💡 useMemo - The Performance Hook

const expensiveValue = useMemo(() => {
  return heavyCalculation(dependencies);
}, [dependencies]);

What it does: Caches expensive calculations.
When to use: Slow computations, complex data transformations.

🔄 useCallback - The Function Memory Hook

const stableFunction = useCallback(() => {
  // Your function logic
}, [dependencies]);

What it does: Memoizes functions to prevent unnecessary re-renders.
When to use: Passing functions as props to optimized components.

🎯 The Golden Rules:

1. Only call hooks at the top level (not in loops/conditions)

2. Only call hooks from React functions

3. useState = data that changes | useRef = data that doesn't trigger re-renders

🎯 When to Use Which Hook:

• Form state? → useState

• API call on mount? → useEffect with []

• Access input element? → useRef

• Slow filtering function? → useMemo

Function passed as prop? → useCallback

That's it! You now understand 95% of React Hooks used in production.

Which hook confused you the most? Drop it in the comments and I'll break it down! 👇

Comments

[Ilsa_S]

Which hook confused you the most?