Choosing between Blind 75 and Grind 75 for your interview prep

When it comes to technical interview prep, one of the most common questions candidates ask is which problem list to follow. Should you stick with the classic Blind 75 or opt for the newer Grind 75? Both are curated lists of LeetCode problems designed to maximize your chances of success, but they take slightly different approaches.

In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences between Blind 75 vs Grind 75, explain how to choose the right path for your goals, and show you how to prep smarter, not harder.

What is Blind 75?#

Blind 75 is one of the most popular curated lists of LeetCode problems created by a software engineer who later joined Facebook. It consists of 75 carefully selected problems that cover the most common patterns and topics tested in technical interviews, especially at FAANG companies.

The goal of Blind 75 is to provide a lean, high-impact study plan without overwhelming you with hundreds of problems. 

The list focuses on essentials like arrays, dynamic programming, linked lists, binary trees, and graphs. Solving and truly understanding these problems prepares you to tackle various variations during real interviews.

Blind 75 is valued for its efficiency. It eliminates guesswork and forces you to focus on mastering critical patterns.

What is Grind 75?#

Grind 75 is a more recent alternative designed to offer a more structured and gradual approach to interview prep. Created by Yangshun Tay, Grind 75 provides a dynamic study plan that can be customized based on how much time you have before your interviews.

Grind 75 starts with easier problems and ramps up to harder ones over time. It covers not only the core patterns seen in Blind 75 but also additional topics like heaps, tries, and advanced graph techniques.

One of Grind 75’s strengths is flexibility. Whether you have two months or six months to prepare, you can generate a personalized plan that distributes the problems week by week. This makes it ideal for learners who appreciate a paced, consistent roadmap.

Why curated lists matter#

If you've spent any time on LeetCode, you know the platform has thousands of problems. Without structure, it’s easy to waste time solving random questions that don't actually prepare you for real interviews.

Curated lists like Blind 75 and Grind 75 give you focus. They highlight the most important patterns—arrays, graphs, dynamic programming, binary search—that form the backbone of most technical interviews. Following one of these lists ensures that you cover high-leverage topics without getting lost in endless scrolling.

Blind 75 vs Grind 75: What's the difference?#

Blind 75 is the original classic. Compiled by a software engineer who later joined Facebook, it’s a set of 75 problems covering the most common patterns you’ll encounter at FAANG and other top companies. It's lean, direct, and ruthlessly focused on the essentials.

Grind 75 is a more recent creation. It expands on the Blind 75 by offering a dynamic, customizable plan based on how much time you have before your interviews. Grind 75 also sorts problems by difficulty and gradually ramps up complexity, making it easier for beginners to build momentum.

Here’s a quick snapshot:

When evaluating Blind 75 vs Grind 75, the right choice depends on your background, timeline, and learning preferences.

Which one should you pick?#

Here’s a simple way to decide:

• Pick Blind 75 if you have a solid programming foundation and want a no-frills, fast-track review of critical topics.

• Pick Grind 75 if you’re earlier in your prep journey, prefer a structured daily plan, or want slightly more breadth before interviews.

If you're short on time and need to prep aggressively (e.g., interviews in 4–6 weeks), Blind 75 is usually enough. If you have 2–3 months and want to go deeper while avoiding burnout, Grind 75 offers a smoother ramp-up.

At the end of the day, whether it's Blind 75 vs Grind 75, the most important factor is consistency. Choosing a list is step one. Sticking to it and learning from each problem is where real growth happens.

How to prep smarter with any list#

No matter which path you choose, follow these best practices to get maximum value:

• Focus on patterns: Don't just memorize solutions. Understand underlying techniques like two pointers, sliding window, dynamic programming, and binary trees.

• Redo hard problems: If you struggled with a problem, revisit it after a few days and solve it from scratch.

• Simulate interview conditions: Time yourself. Talk aloud. Write clean, bug-free code under pressure.

• Track your progress: Maintain a log of solved problems, topics covered, and common mistakes.

The difference between someone who "solved 300 problems" and someone who "mastered 75 problems" often comes down to depth over volume.

Common mistakes candidates make#

Even with a great list, candidates can fall into traps that hurt their progress:

• Memorizing solutions without understanding them

• Skipping pattern recognition drills

• Rushing through problems to "complete the list"

• Ignoring the importance of clean, efficient code

The goal isn’t to finish faster — it’s to think smarter. Avoiding these mistakes dramatically improves your real interview performance.

How to track your progress effectively#

Tracking isn't just motivational. It reveals patterns about your strengths and weaknesses:

• Maintain a simple spreadsheet logging each solved problem

• Tag problems by category (e.g., arrays, graphs, dynamic programming)

• Note if you solved independently, needed hints, or looked at solutions

Reviewing your log weekly helps you adjust your focus and fix weak spots early.

How to balance speed and accuracy#

In interviews, correctness matters first, but speed can't be ignored. Balance comes from:

• Solving problems untimed at first to focus on depth

• Gradually introducing timed practice (30–45 minutes/problem)

• Practicing quick brute-force thinking, then optimizing deliberately

Fast, sloppy code won't help. Neither will perfect but slow answers. Aim for clean and timely solutions.

When to move beyond Blind 75 and Grind 75#

Once you've mastered your chosen list:

• Explore harder topics like advanced graphs, segment trees, and tries

• Tackle timed mock interviews on related platforms 

• Attempt real company-specific LeetCode problems

Mastery means applying patterns to new variations, not just repeating known ones.

Final checklist before your interviews#

As you approach your interviews, review:

• Top patterns and templates (binary search, two pointers, dynamic programming)

• Time and space complexity intuitions

• Behavioral interview prep (STAR method)

• Mock interviews to simulate real conditions

Confidence comes from deliberate practice, not random effort. Trust your prep, stay calm, and focus on solving problems step-by-step.

Blind 75 vs Grind 75: The bigger picture#

Choosing Blind 75 vs Grind 75 isn’t just about picking a list—it’s about choosing a prep mindset. It's about building a system that sharpens your pattern recognition, boosts your problem-solving confidence, and teaches you how to think like an engineer under pressure.

Remember: Interviewers don't care how many problems you've solved. They care about how you approach new problems, how clearly you communicate, and how resilient you are when things get tough.

Whichever list you choose, make sure you aren't just grinding—you're growing.

Final thoughts#

Blind 75 and Grind 75 are both powerful tools when used correctly. Pick the list that matches your timeline and learning style, stick with it, and focus on building real, adaptable skills.

If you stay consistent, practice smarter (not just harder), and focus on understanding rather than memorization, you’ll be well on your way to acing your technical interviews.