---
title: useLatest for Stable Callback Refs
impact: LOW
impactDescription: prevents effect re-runs
tags: advanced, hooks, useLatest, refs, optimization
---

## useLatest for Stable Callback Refs

Access latest values in callbacks without adding them to dependency arrays. Prevents effect re-runs while avoiding stale closures.

**Implementation:**

```typescript
function useLatest<T>(value: T) {
  const ref = useRef(value);
  useEffect(() => {
    ref.current = value;
  }, [value]);
  return ref;
}
```

**Incorrect (effect re-runs on every callback change):**

```tsx
function SearchInput({ onSearch }: { onSearch: (q: string) => void }) {
  const [query, setQuery] = useState('');

  useEffect(() => {
    const timeout = setTimeout(() => onSearch(query), 300);
    return () => clearTimeout(timeout);
  }, [query, onSearch]);
}
```

**Correct (stable effect, fresh callback):**

```tsx
function SearchInput({ onSearch }: { onSearch: (q: string) => void }) {
  const [query, setQuery] = useState('');
  const onSearchRef = useLatest(onSearch);

  useEffect(() => {
    const timeout = setTimeout(() => onSearchRef.current(query), 300);
    return () => clearTimeout(timeout);
  }, [query]);
}
```
