24Optimizing Performance with Code-Splitting and Lazy Loading

What Is Code-Splitting?

By default, React bundles your entire app into one large JavaScript file. Code-splitting allows you to break your app into smaller chunks so users only load what they need when they need it.

• Improves initial page load time
• Reduces JavaScript bundle size
• Delays loading of rarely used pages
• Boosts performance for slow networks

Lazy Loading with React.lazy

import React, { Suspense } from 'react'

const About = React.lazy(() => import('./About'))

export default function App() {
  return (
    <Suspense fallback={<p>Loading...</p>}>
      <About />
    </Suspense>
  )
}

The About component is loaded only when it is rendered. Until then, React shows a fallback loader.

Route-Based Code Splitting (React Router)

import { BrowserRouter, Routes, Route } from 'react-router-dom'
const Home = React.lazy(() => import('./Home'))
const Dashboard = React.lazy(() => import('./Dashboard'))

export default function App() {
  return (
    <BrowserRouter>
      <Suspense fallback={<p>Loading page...</p>}>
        <Routes>
          <Route path='/' element={<Home />} />
          <Route path='/dashboard' element={<Dashboard />} />
        </Routes>
      </Suspense>
    </BrowserRouter>
  )
}

Preloading Components

You can preload components before they are needed using dynamic imports.

const Settings = React.lazy(() => import('./Settings'))

function preloadSettings() {
  import('./Settings')
}

<button onMouseEnter={preloadSettings}>Settings</button>

When to Use Lazy Loading

Best Practices

• Always wrap lazy components in Suspense
• Group related components together
• Avoid lazy loading tiny components
• Use preloading for better UX
• Use bundle analyzer to optimize chunk sizes

Mini Project Step

Convert at least 2 routes in your project to lazy-loaded components. Add a friendly loading spinner using Suspense fallback.