When should I use useMediaQuery vs useBreakpoints?

Use useMediaQuery for a single custom query string like (orientation: landscape). Use useBreakpoints when you need a named set of viewport tiers shared across the whole application.

How do I make the query itself reactive?

Pass a getter or a Ref instead of a plain string. When the value changes, useMediaQuery disconnects the old MediaQueryList listener and attaches one for the new query. Use a plain string only when the query is constant.

Is there a shortcut for common queries like dark mode or reduced motion?

Yes. usePrefersDark, usePrefersReducedMotion, and usePrefersContrast are built on useMediaQuery and wrap the matching prefers- media features.

useMediaQuery

A composable for reactive CSS media query matching with automatic cleanup.

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PreviewIntermediateJun 29, 2026

Usage

The useMediaQuery composable wraps the browser’s matchMedia API, providing reactive updates when the media query state changes. It supports static strings, refs, and getter functions for dynamic queries.

Tip

Why wrap matchMedia? The native matchMedia API has no awareness of Vue’s effectScope lifecycle — change listeners you add won’t be removed when the scope is disposed. useMediaQuery integrates onScopeDispose for automatic cleanup, defers evaluation until after hydration for SSR safety, and supports reactive query strings that re-evaluate on change.

vue

<script setup lang="ts">
  import { useMediaQuery } from '@vuetify/v0'
  import { shallowRef } from 'vue'

  const { matches: prefersDark } = useMediaQuery('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)')
  const { matches: isMobile } = useMediaQuery('(max-width: 768px)')

  // Dynamic query with a reactive value
  const breakpoint = shallowRef(768)
  const { matches: isWide } = useMediaQuery(
    () => `(min-width: ${breakpoint.value}px)`
  )
</script>

<template>
  <div>
    <p>Dark mode: {{ prefersDark }}</p>
    <p>Mobile: {{ isMobile }}</p>
    <p>Wide (>= {{ breakpoint }}px): {{ isWide }}</p>
  </div>
</template>

Architecture

useMediaQuery wraps the browser’s matchMedia API with Vue reactivity and SSR safety:

Reactivity

Property/Method	Reactive	Notes
`matches`		ShallowRef, readonly
`query`		Computed, accepts MaybeRefOrGetter
`mediaQueryList`		ShallowRef, readonly (MediaQueryList or null)

Tip

Dynamic queries Pass a ref or getter to useMediaQuery for dynamic query updates. The composable re-evaluates when the query changes.

Examples

Dynamic Min-Width Detection

Two media queries running in parallel: a static (orientation: landscape) check and a dynamic (min-width: Npx) query whose threshold is controlled by a Slider. Dragging the slider updates minWidth, which flows into a getter passed to useMediaQuery — the composable re-evaluates the query string reactively and updates isWide without any manual teardown or re-registration.

The key detail is the getter form: () => `(min-width: ${minWidth.value}px)` — a function rather than a plain string. useMediaQuery watches for getter changes, disconnects the previous MediaQueryList listener, and attaches a new one for the updated query. Pass a plain string when the query is constant; pass a getter (or a Ref<string>) when it depends on reactive state.

Both matches refs are shallowRef, so reads in templates are direct boolean values — no .value unwrapping needed in the interpolation. Reach for useMediaQuery when you need a single custom query; reach for useBreakpoints when you need a named set of named viewport tiers across the whole application.

Landscape orientation: false

Width >= 768px: false

Min width threshold:

768px

Theme

Mode

Palettes

Accessibility

FAQ

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API Reference

The following API details are for the useMediaQuery composable.

useMediaQuery

4 functions, 3 properties, 1 method