Blind 75 vs LeetCode patterns: Best for Netflix interviews

Netflix’s core value of “freedom and responsibility” doesn’t just shape the company culture but is reflected in every part of the technical interview. Candidates are expected to think broadly, navigate ambiguity, and own their solutions from start to finish. The questions you’ll face often require more than code; they call for clear reasoning, independent judgment, and the ability to make thoughtful decisions when there’s no single right answer. 

Like top tech companies, candidates preparing for Netflix interviews often gravitate toward popular resources like Blind 75 and LeetCode patterns or other well-known problem lists. However, Netflix’s coding interviews are uniquely open-ended and designed to reflect the company’s culture of ownership and autonomy. This raises an important question: does working through a standard set of problems truly equip you for the broad, real-world challenges you’ll encounter at Netflix, or is there a better way to prepare?

In this blog, I’ll closely examine what moves the needle for Netflix coding interviews. Instead of reviewing popular problem lists, we’ll compare how curated sets like Blind 75 and Netflix Top 37 stack up against a patterns-based approach using the 28 core LeetCode Patterns featured in the “Grokking the Coding Interview Patterns” course. Backed by current data and practical insight, I’ll guide you toward a prep plan that goes beyond quantity and helps you build the autonomy, judgment, and technical versatility that Netflix values most.

Quick recap: Blind 75, Netflix Top 37, and LeetCode patterns#

Blind 75 is a compact list of classic LeetCode problems, covering the most widely tested data structures and algorithms such as arrays, strings, linked lists, binary trees, graphs, and dynamic programming. It’s popular because it offers structure and a clear starting point for anyone facing a coding interview.

Netflix Top 37 is a curated set of the LeetCode questions that have appeared most frequently in recent Netflix interviews, giving candidates a sense of what’s trending in the Netflix process right now.

LeetCode Patterns are 28 core problem-solving strategies that pop up across all types of technical interviews. Knowing these patterns helps you recognize and adapt to new problems on the fly. 

Is relying solely on Blind 75 enough for Netflix?#

Blind 75 remains one of the most popular resources for technical interview prep, covering the algorithms and data structures that nearly every company expects. But Netflix’s coding interviews are designed to test much more than the basics. The company’s focus on autonomy and open-ended thinking means you’ll often encounter ambiguous scenarios and questions beyond the scope of any standard list.

If you limit your prep to Blind 75, you’ll strengthen your core fundamentals, but you may not be ready for the kind of design decisions, trade-off discussions, or real-world challenges that regularly show up at Netflix. True readiness comes from practicing how to approach the unknown, justify your choices, and demonstrate ownership over your solutions.

Why a pattern-first mindset works for Netflix coding rounds#

Since Netflix’s coding interviews rarely follow a script, and interviewers want to see how you tackle problems you haven’t seen before, having a pattern-first mindset becomes invaluable.

Training yourself to recognize key patterns, such as sliding window, backtracking, or top-K selection, lets you adapt quickly, even when the problem is new or ambiguous. Netflix’s technical questions often require you to build solutions from scratch, clarify requirements in real time, and explain your approach. If you’re confident with the underlying patterns, you can connect the dots efficiently and present effective and well-reasoned solutions.

Netflix is also a relatively new player among tech giants like Meta, Apple, Amazon, and Google, which means there’s less public data to draw from. With only 37 Netflix-tagged LeetCode questions available, it becomes even more important to focus on mastering core problem-solving patterns instead of memorizing a handful of specific questions.

An overview of patterns for Netflix coding interviews#

With 28 core patterns in play, looking at all of them at once can feel overwhelming or repetitive. To add some clarity and make your prep more focused, I’ve organized these patterns into categories based on their relevance and frequency in the Netflix interview process:

Let’s see what each category means:

• Must-know patterns: You’ll see these essentials repeatedly in Netflix interviews. Mastering them keeps your fundamentals sharp and lets you focus on deeper aspects like trade-offs and scalability.

• Very common patterns: These patterns show up often enough to deserve strong preparation. Knowing them well means you’ll be ready for unfamiliar questions.

• Solid but situational patterns: These arise in specific scenarios such as follow-ups, production-like challenges, or unexpected twists. A bit of targeted practice here prepares you for surprise questions and shows your adaptability.

• Finishing-line helpers: These patterns aren’t common, but being comfortable with them helps you stand out when the stakes are highest or the problem gets more complex.

While Netflix interviews may focus more on some patterns than others, the strongest prep still covers all 28. Because then you’re ready for any scenario, even the unexpected twists that make Netflix interviews unique.

Ensuring maximum pattern coverage: Your Netflix prep blueprint#

Netflix interview prep is about being smart and strategic. It’s not just about doing more problems, but about making every one count. Here’s a step-by-step plan to help you cover all the patterns you’ll need for Netflix’s unique interview style:

1. Build on the common ground: Start with problems and patterns appearing both in Blind 75 and Netflix Top 75. This gives you a strong foundation in the kinds of questions Netflix often revisits.

2. Zero in on Netflix-focused patterns: Next, identify the patterns and problem types that appear in Netflix Top 75 but are missing from Blind 75. Focus extra attention here to ensure you’re ready for Netflix’s twists.

3. Finish remaining Blind 75: Work through any Blind 75 problems you haven’t tackled yet. This step rounds out your prep and ensures you’re not missing any key fundamentals.

4. Fill the pattern gaps: Review all 28 patterns and identify any you haven’t covered. Practice these “finishing-line” patterns to prepare for even the rare or advanced questions.

This plan targets your prep, avoids unnecessary repetition, and ensures you’re ready for classic questions and Netflix’s unexpected curveballs.

And don’t forget the rubric: for every pattern, aim to solve one easy, two medium, and one hard problem. This way, you’ll quickly see which patterns need more attention and make your prep as thorough as it is efficient.

What’s the value of tackling overlapping problems first for Netflix?#

Starting your Netflix interview prep with the problems that overlap between Blind 75 and Netflix Top 75 is efficient and practical. By tackling these shared questions first, you reinforce your fundamentals and ensure you cover concepts valued in general technical interviews and at Netflix.

Let’s look at both lists together to quickly spot the areas of overlap and identify what’s unique to each set.

The comparison above shows that 13 problems overlap between the two lists. That’s a strong start, especially given that there are only 37 problems in the entire Netflix set. Beginning your prep with this overlap means you already cover many questions relevant to Netflix interviews.

As you work through these overlapping problems, don’t just aim for the right answer. Focus on the underlying pattern in each one. Ask yourself, “What technique am I using here? Would I recognize this pattern if the problem were presented differently?” This approach will help you move beyond memorization and build real pattern recognition, a skill Netflix interviewers value.

Let’s look at which patterns this overlapping set covers and how they align with our 1-2-1 rubric and the scoring method. In the bar chart below, each bar represents a pattern. The length of the bar shows what percent of the full 15 points you’ve earned for that pattern, while the label highlights how many easy, medium, and hard problems went into that score.

The analysis above shows that this problem set introduces 10 out of 28 patterns, about 36%. These patterns are only a few problems from meeting our 1-2-1 rubric. What’s most valuable here is getting to know these patterns. Once identified, you can apply the rubric and build real confidence with each one.

Focusing on the overlap means you get the best of both worlds: you maximize your study time by working on questions that are most likely to appear and build early momentum as you see progress on the problems that matter most.

What advantage do Netflix-specific questions offer?#

After covering the overlap, the next step is to focus on the unique problems of the Netflix Top 75. These Netflix-specific questions introduce new patterns and problem styles that you might not see in general coding prep lists. Working through them exposes you to scenarios and challenges that reflect what comes up in Netflix interviews.

Let’s look at which patterns you unlock when focusing on Netflix-only problems.

The list above shows that this problem set unlocks 10 new patterns. That means you now have exposure to 20 out of 28 patterns, which is about 71% coverage. Another advantage is that you can practice additional problems for the patterns you identified in the previous step. This broadens your understanding and deepens your mastery, putting you on your way to being fully prepared for Netflix’s coding interviews.

Next, let’s see how many additional questions you’re adding to the patterns you’ve already covered and check how these new patterns align with our “one easy, two medium, one hard” rubric and scores. In the bar chart below, you’ll see the newly covered patterns highlighted in green on the y-axis.

The analysis above shows that while you’re introduced to new patterns, you’ll need just a question or two more to fully master them according to our rubric. This final bit of focused practice ensures you’re truly comfortable with each new pattern.

How do the remaining Blind 75 problems help with Netflix prep?#

Finishing the remaining Blind 75 problems, after you’ve tackled the overlap and Netflix-specific questions, helps fill in any gaps in your pattern coverage. Some important patterns may not have shown up in the earlier problem sets, and working through all of Blind 75 ensures you don’t overlook any essential concepts.

So, let’s quickly look at which patterns are covered by practicing the remaining Blind 75 problems.

The list above shows that by practicing the remaining Blind 75 problems, you unlock 7 new patterns. This brings your overall coverage to 27 out of 28 patterns, which is about 96%. That’s a great milestone. This step also gives you more practice with patterns you’ve already identified in the earlier stages, helping you deepen your understanding and round out your prep for Netflix interviews.

Let’s see how these patterns align with our 1-2-1 rubric and identify any final gaps in your coverage.

The analysis above shows you’re only a few questions away from fully meeting our pattern rubric.

Is your Netflix prep complete?#

You’re almost there now. Only about 4% of pattern coverage remains. This final stretch ensures you’re prepared for every twist you could face in a Netflix coding interview.

Now is the time to look for patterns your previous problem sets haven’t covered.

My analysis shows that one pattern still needs your attention: Math and Geometry. To master this pattern, I recommend solving at least one easy, two medium, and one hard problem. Adding this to your prep will be the cherry on top, ensuring you’re ready for anything Netflix might throw.

Pattern coverage recap#

It’s impressive to see how each stage of your Netflix prep brings you closer to complete pattern mastery. Starting with the problems that overlap between Blind 75 and Netflix Top 75, you immediately cover about 36% of the key patterns tested in Netflix interviews. Focusing next on Netflix-only problems adds another 36%, boosting your coverage to around 71%. Working through the remaining Blind 75 problems takes you up to 96%. Finally, by targeting the last uncovered pattern, such as Math and Geometry, you complete the final 4% and reach 100% pattern coverage.

How much more to hit the 420 mark?#

The following chart shows your cumulative progress toward the ideal score of 420 points, with 216 points already secured and just over the halfway mark. Breaking it down, the Blind 75 set has contributed 99 points, making it your single largest boost, while the Netflix-only set added another 74 points. The Common patterns account for 43 points, laying a solid base for your prep.

With 204 points remaining, the good news is that the gap is highly achievable. Many of these points can be earned by strategically targeting just a few high-value patterns and adding the right mix of easy, medium, and hard problems. By focusing on those remaining areas, you can close in on the 420-point ideal score and confidently approach your interviews.

This step-by-step approach ensures you leave no undetectable spots in your Netflix interview preparation. With every pattern addressed, you’ll walk into your interview ready for any challenge that comes your way.

Final thoughts#

Reaching 100% pattern coverage is not just about finishing lists. It is about building real confidence for whatever Netflix throws at you. By systematically working through overlapping problems, Netflix-specific questions, and the rest of Blind 75, you ensure every key pattern is covered and no surprises are left for interview day.

Netflix looks for engineers who are adaptable, who take ownership, and who can solve new problems on the spot. With this prep strategy, you are not just checking boxes. You are training yourself to recognize patterns, handle open-ended challenges, and approach each problem like a Netflix engineer.

Use the 1-2-1 rubric, track your progress, and push for depth and breadth. This is how you build the versatility and confidence Netflix values most.

If you found this helpful, check out Blind 75 vs LeetCode patterns for Google coding interviews for further FAANG prep.

Best of luck as you enter your Netflix interview, fully prepared for anything.

Recommended resources to level up your interview prep#

While this blog gives you a data-driven way to measure and close your prep gaps, the right learning tools can accelerate your progress even further. Here are two highly effective resources to complement your study plan:

• Educative’s Personalized Interview Prep: It’s your tailored prep companion that adapts to your skill level and focuses on the 28 essential LeetCode patterns we’ve been talking about. You can work on the patterns that need the most attention, track progress with clear metrics, and know exactly what to tackle next. Whether it’s adding an easy problem to build confidence or a hard one to push for mastery, you’ll always be working on the right problems at the right time.

• Educative’s Mock Interviews: Practicing is not just about solving problems. It is also about handling real interview pressure. Educative’s AI mock interviews let you simulate actual interview conditions, get actionable feedback, and improve in areas like problem-solving speed. This way, you are not only technically prepared but also confident and ready to perform under time constraints.