Conditional rendering in [React](/courses/reactjs) means displaying different UI depending on a condition. [React](/courses/reactjs) components are [JavaScript](/courses/javascript) [functions](/javascript/functions-in-javascript), so you can use normal [JavaScript](/courses/javascript) conditions to decide what JSX should be returned. ### Simple Example Suppose a user may be logged in or logged out: ```jsx function UserStatus({ isLoggedIn }) { if (isLoggedIn) { return

Welcome back!

; } return

Please sign in.

; } ``` If: ```text isLoggedIn = true ``` React renders: ```text Welcome back! ``` Otherwise it renders: ```text Please sign in. ``` ### Conditional Rendering Is Just JavaScript + JSX React does not provide a special `if` component. You normally use JavaScript tools such as: ```text if / else ternary operator logical AND (&&) early returns ``` For example: ```jsx function Profile({ user }) { return (

{user.name}

{user.isAdmin && ( )}

); } ``` ### Common Uses of Conditional Rendering Conditional UI is used for situations such as: ```text Logged-in vs logged-out UI Loading states Error messages Permission-based buttons Empty states Feature flags Form validation messages Different subscription plans Mobile or desktop-specific sections ``` ### You Can Also Render Nothing A component can return `null` when it should not display anything: ```jsx function Warning({ show }) { if (!show) { return null; } return

Warning!

; } ``` ### Interview-Ready Answer Conditional rendering in React means choosing which JSX should appear based on application data or state. Because React components use JavaScript, conditions can be implemented with `if` statements, ternary operators, logical AND, or early returns. Conditional rendering is commonly used for loading states, authentication, permissions, errors, and dynamic UI.