If you're new to React and tired of passing props through multiple components just to get a value down to a child — you're not alone. Almost every React developer has experienced the headache of props drilling. But don’t worry! React has a built-in solution to this problem: the Context API
and the useContext hook.
What Is useContext?
useContext
is a React hook that allows you to access values from a Context directly, without passing props manually. It helps you manage global state without adding extra libraries like Redux — at least for simpler use cases.
The Problem: Props Drilling
Let’s say you want to pass a username
from component A to component D, but B and C are in between and don’t even need that data:
function App() {
return <A username="alucard" />;
}
function A({ username }) {
return <B username={username} />;
}
function B({ username }) {
return <C username={username} />;
}
function C({ username }) {
return <D username={username} />;
}
function D({ username }) {
return <p>Hello, {username}!</p>;
}
This is inefficient and messy. Components B and C are forced to receive props they don’t even use. That’s where Context API steps in.
The Context API to the Rescue
The Context API lets you create a global "box" of data that can be accessed by any component in the tree, without drilling through props. Here's how to use it step by step:
1. Create the Context
import { createContext } from 'react';
const UserContext = createContext();
2. Provide the Context
function App() {
return (
<UserContext.Provider value={{ username: 'alucard' }}>
<Profile />
</UserContext.Provider>
);
}
3. Consume the Context with useContext
import { useContext } from 'react';
function Profile() {
const { username } = useContext(UserContext);
return <p>Hello, {username}!</p>;
}
No more props drilling! The Profile
component can directly access the username
from context.
When to Use useContext
useContext
is great for:
- Theme switching (light/dark mode)
- User authentication status
- Language settings (i18n)
- Global app data (cart, current user, etc.)
useContext vs Redux vs Zustand
Wondering why people still use Redux if we have useContext?
- useContext: Simple, perfect for small-scale global state.
- Redux/Zustand: Better for large applications with complex state and debugging needs.
Tips
- Split your contexts — one for user, one for theme, etc.
- Wrap
useContext
in custom hooks for cleaner code:
export function useUser() {
return useContext(UserContext);
}
Then in your components:
const { username } = useUser();
Combining useContext with useReducer
Need more advanced global state management without Redux? Try combining useContext with useReducer:
const CounterContext = createContext();
function counterReducer(state, action) {
switch(action.type) {
case 'increment':
return { count: state.count + 1 };
default:
return state;
}
}
function CounterProvider({ children }) {
const [state, dispatch] = useReducer(counterReducer, { count: 0 });
return (
<CounterContext.Provider value={{ state, dispatch }}>
{children}
</CounterContext.Provider>
);
}
Then access it anywhere in your components:
function Counter() {
const { state, dispatch } = useContext(CounterContext);
return (
<>
<p>{state.count}</p>
<button onClick={() => dispatch({ type: 'increment' })}>+</button>
</>
);
}
useContext
is an excellent tool for managing small to medium-sized global state in your React apps. It's simple, powerful, and perfect for avoiding the nightmare of props drilling.
Don’t overuse context. For fast-changing or local state, stick to
useState
oruseReducer
.
Now that you've learned how to use useContext
, give it a try in your next project. You’ll be amazed at how much cleaner and scalable your code can become!
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