Grind 75 vs Blind 75 vs NeetCode 150: Which List Should You Use?

If you're preparing for coding interviews, you've probably heard of Blind 75, Grind 75, and NeetCode 150. These curated LeetCode problem lists are designed to maximize your interview readiness.

But which one should you use?

This guide breaks down the differences, overlaps, and helps you pick the right list for your situation.

TL;DR: Quick Comparison

Quick Answer:

• Short on time? → Blind 75
• Want customization? → Grind 75
• Want videos + depth? → NeetCode 150

What Is Each List?

Blind 75

The original curated LeetCode list, created by a Blind (anonymous company forum) user. It covers the 75 most essential problems across major topics.

Topics Covered:

• Arrays & Hashing
• Two Pointers
• Sliding Window
• Stack
• Binary Search
• Linked List
• Trees
• Tries
• Heap / Priority Queue
• Backtracking
• Graphs
• Dynamic Programming
• Bit Manipulation

Source: Originally posted on Blind, now widely shared.

Grind 75

Created by Yangshun Tay (Tech Interview Handbook author), Grind 75 is an updated, customizable version of Blind 75.

Key Features:

• Customizable Schedule: Choose hours/week, weeks available
• Flexible Size: Can expand to ~169 problems
• Weekly Variety: Problems distributed across topics each week
• Interactive Tool: techinterviewhandbook.org/grind75

Why Created: To modernize Blind 75 with flexibility and better topic distribution.

NeetCode 150

Created by NeetCode (a former Google engineer), NeetCode 150 is an expanded version of Blind 75 with 75 additional problems.

Key Features:

• 150 Problems: Blind 75 + 75 more
• Video Explanations: Every problem has a YouTube video
• Structured Roadmap: Organized by topic
• Free Core Content: Videos on YouTube, Pro for extras

Why Created: To provide more depth and video-based learning.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Problem Count & Coverage

Blind 75: Minimal but essential coverage.

Grind 75: Starts at 75, can customize up to 169.

NeetCode 150: Most comprehensive with 150 problems.

Learning Resources

Winner: NeetCode 150 has the best learning resources with video explanations for every problem.

Customization & Flexibility

Winner: Grind 75 offers the most flexibility with its customizable scheduler.

Structure & Organization

NeetCode 150 has the most structured roadmap with clear learning paths.

Pros and Cons

Blind 75

Pros:

• ✅ Original, battle-tested list
• ✅ Minimal—focused on essentials
• ✅ Widely recognized

Cons:

• ❌ No built-in explanations
• ❌ No customization
• ❌ May feel dated

Grind 75

Pros:

• ✅ Customizable schedule
• ✅ Weekly topic variety (not sequential)
• ✅ Expandable to 169 problems
• ✅ Free interactive tool

Cons:

• ❌ No native video content
• ❌ Less brand recognition than others

NeetCode 150

Pros:

• ✅ Video explanations for every problem
• ✅ Most comprehensive coverage (150)
• ✅ Structured roadmap
• ✅ Active creator (YouTube updates)

Cons:

• ❌ Takes longer to complete
• ❌ No time customization

What Reddit Says

On Blind 75:

"Blind 75 is a great starting point if you're completely new to LeetCode."

"It's solid for getting familiar with major topics quickly."

On Grind 75:

"I like Grind 75 because it exercises all subjects weekly instead of one at a time."

"The customizable schedule helped me fit it into my busy work schedule."

On NeetCode 150:

"NeetCode 150 + video explanations is the best combo for actually learning."

"If you have time, do NeetCode 150. The extra 75 problems make a difference."

Common Wisdom:

"Just pick one and stick with it. There's so much overlap that switching wastes time."

How to Choose

Choose Blind 75 if:

• You have < 4 weeks to prepare
• You want minimal essentials
• You're already familiar with most patterns

Choose Grind 75 if:

• You want customizable scheduling
• You prefer weekly topic variety (not sequential)
• You have a specific time constraint

Choose NeetCode 150 if:

• You want video explanations
• You have 2+ months to prepare
• You want comprehensive coverage
• You're a visual learner

The Overlap

All three lists share the core Blind 75 problems. Here's the relationship:

• Blind 75 = Foundation (75 problems)
• Grind 75 = Blind 75 + flexibility + expansion option
• NeetCode 150 = Blind 75 + 75 more + videos

If you complete any one list thoroughly, you'll cover most essential patterns.

Recommended Approach

For Beginners (2+ months):

1. Use NeetCode 150 with videos
2. Watch videos before attempting problems
3. Use LeetCopilot for hints when stuck
4. Focus on understanding patterns

For Busy Professionals (4-8 weeks):

1. Use Grind 75 with custom schedule
2. Set realistic hours/week
3. Prioritize Medium problems
4. Review NeetCode videos for hard topics

For Quick Refresh (< 4 weeks):

1. Use Blind 75
2. Focus on topics you're weak in
3. Skip problems you can solve quickly
4. Practice under time pressure

Comparison Table

FAQ

Can I use multiple lists?
Not really necessary. They overlap significantly. Pick one and complete it.

Which is hardest?
All three have similar difficulty distribution. NeetCode 150 just has more problems.

Is Blind 75 outdated?
Not really. The core problems are still asked. Grind 75 and NeetCode 150 just offer more features.

How long to complete each?

• Blind 75: 4-6 weeks
• Grind 75: Depends on your schedule
• NeetCode 150: 8-12 weeks

Verdict: Which Should You Use?

Short answer: NeetCode 150 if you have time, Grind 75 for flexibility, Blind 75 for quick prep.

Long answer:

Pair any list with LeetCopilot for AI-powered hints when you get stuck.

Good luck with your prep!