How does React Router handle route precedence when multiple routes could match the same URL

Question

With the help of code can i know How does React Router handle route precedence when multiple routes could match the same URL?

Answer 1

When multiple routes could match the same URL, React Router v5 follows these precedence rules:

1. Exact Path Matches Win

Routes with exact prop take highest priority.

Example:

<Route exact path="/about" component={About} />  // Wins for "/about"

<Route path="/about/team" component={Team} />    // Ignored for "/about"

2. Path Specificity Matters

More specific paths are prioritized over generic ones.

Example:

<Route path="/users/:id" component={UserDetail} />  

<Route path="/users/new" component={NewUser} />   // Wins for "/users/new" (more specific)

3. Order of Declaration

If two routes have equal specificity, the first one defined wins.

Example:

<Route path="/shop" component={Shop} />          // Renders for "/shop"

<Route path="/shop" component={DiscountShop} />  // Ignored (defined later)

4. <Switch> Component Enforces Single Match

Wrapping routes in <Switch> makes React Router pick only the first matching route.

Without <Switch>, all matching routes render.

Example:

<Switch>

  <Route path="/users/new" component={NewUser} />  // Only this renders for "/users/new"

  <Route path="/users/:id" component={UserDetail} />

</Switch>