---
title: Use a List Virtualizer for Any List
impact: HIGH
impactDescription: reduced memory, faster mounts
tags: lists, performance, virtualization, scrollview
---

## Use a List Virtualizer for Any List

Use a list virtualizer like LegendList or FlashList instead of ScrollView with
mapped children—even for short lists. Virtualizers only render visible items,
reducing memory usage and mount time. ScrollView renders all children upfront,
which gets expensive quickly.

**Incorrect (ScrollView renders all items at once):**

```tsx
function Feed({ items }: { items: Item[] }) {
  return (
    <ScrollView>
      {items.map((item) => (
        <ItemCard key={item.id} item={item} />
      ))}
    </ScrollView>
  )
}
// 50 items = 50 components mounted, even if only 10 visible
```

**Correct (virtualizer renders only visible items):**

```tsx
import { LegendList } from '@legendapp/list'

function Feed({ items }: { items: Item[] }) {
  return (
    <LegendList
      data={items}
      // if you aren't using React Compiler, wrap these with useCallback
      renderItem={({ item }) => <ItemCard item={item} />}
      keyExtractor={(item) => item.id}
      estimatedItemSize={80}
    />
  )
}
// Only ~10-15 visible items mounted at a time
```

**Alternative (FlashList):**

```tsx
import { FlashList } from '@shopify/flash-list'

function Feed({ items }: { items: Item[] }) {
  return (
    <FlashList
      data={items}
      // if you aren't using React Compiler, wrap these with useCallback
      renderItem={({ item }) => <ItemCard item={item} />}
      keyExtractor={(item) => item.id}
    />
  )
}
```

Benefits apply to any screen with scrollable content—profiles, settings, feeds,
search results. Default to virtualization.