Managing server state in React applications can quickly become complex. Traditionally, developers have relied on tools like useEffect, useState, Redux, or the Context API to handle data fetching, loading states, caching, and synchronisation. While these tools are useful, they often result in a lot of boilerplate code and scattered logic.

This is where React Query steps in. React Query is a powerful library for handling asynchronous server state in React applications. It simplifies fetching, caching, and updating remote data, enabling developers to build fast and scalable applications with minimal code.

In this guide, you’ll learn what React Query is, why it matters, and how to start using it in your React projects — even if you’re a complete beginner.

What is React Query?

React Query (now officially part of TanStack) is a data-fetching and caching library for React. It provides hooks to fetch and manage remote data with minimal effort, offering solutions for common problems like:

• Fetching and displaying remote data
• Managing loading, error, and success states
• Caching data to reduce unnecessary network calls
• Automatically refetching and updating data in the background
• Pagination and infinite scroll support
• Handling mutations (create, update, and delete operations)
  

React Query makes your components declarative, reactive, and easier to manage by handling the data lifecycle automatically.

👉 Explore React Query’s official documentation

Why Use React Query?

Here are several reasons why developers prefer React Query over traditional data-fetching methods:

1️⃣ No More Manual useEffect and useState

You no longer need to manage data-fetching logic using useEffect and useState manually. Everything is abstracted into hooks like useQuery and useMutation.

2️⃣ Built-in Caching

React Query automatically caches API responses, serving them instantly when needed. This significantly improves performance and user experience.

3️⃣ Automatic Background Refetching

It can refetch stale data automatically, so your UI stays fresh without manual triggers.

4️⃣ Built-in Loading and Error States

React Query’s hooks provide built-in loading, success, and error states — no need for repetitive conditional logic.

5️⃣ Pagination and Infinite Scroll

Utilities for paginated and infinite queries make it easy to build endless scrolling lists or “Load More” buttons.

6️⃣ Easy Mutations

useMutation makes updating data straightforward and supports optimistic updates, refetching, and more.

How to Use React Query in Your React App

Step 1: Install React Query

npm install @tanstack/react-query
Step 2: Set up QueryClientProvider
// App.js or index.js
import React from 'react';
import ReactDOM from 'react-dom/client';
import { QueryClient, QueryClientProvider } from '@tanstack/react-query';
import App from './App';
const queryClient = new QueryClient();
const root = ReactDOM.createRoot(document.getElementById('root'));
root.render(
 <QueryClientProvider client={queryClient}>
   <App />
 </QueryClientProvider>
);
Step 3: Fetch Data with useQuery
import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query';
import axios from 'axios';
const fetchUsers = async () => {
 const { data } = await axios.get('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/users');
 return data;
};
const UserList = () => {
 const { data, isLoading, error } = useQuery({
   queryKey: ['users'],
   queryFn: fetchUsers,
 });
 if (isLoading) return <p>Loading users...</p>;
 if (error) return <p>Error fetching users</p>;
 return (
   <ul>
     {data.map((user) => (
       <li key={user.id}>{user.name}</li>
     ))}
   </ul>
 );
};
Step 4: Use Mutations for Creating or Deleting Data
import { useMutation } from '@tanstack/react-query';
import axios from 'axios';
const addUser = async (user) => {
 return await axios.post('/api/users', user);
};
const AddUser = () => {
 const mutation = useMutation({
   mutationFn: addUser,
   onSuccess: () => {
     // Optionally refetch or display a message
   },
 });
 const handleAdd = () => {
   mutation.mutate({ name: 'Priya', email: '[email protected]' });
 };
 return (
   <>
     <button onClick={handleAdd}>Add User</button>
     {mutation.isLoading && <p>Adding user...</p>}
     {mutation.isSuccess && <p>User added successfully!</p>}
     {mutation.isError && <p>Error adding user.</p>}
   </>
 );
};