How to Get Better at LeetCode: 10 Tips That Actually Work (2026)

If you've been grinding LeetCode but not seeing results, you're not alone. Most people practice wrong—they solve random problems, memorize solutions, and wonder why they can't pass interviews.

This guide shares 10 actionable strategies that actually work, based on patterns from successful engineers who've landed FAANG offers.

TL;DR: How to Get Better at LeetCode

1. Learn patterns, not problems
2. Start with easy, master medium
3. Time-box every attempt
4. Don't just solve—understand
5. Review and revisit
6. Practice without IDE help
7. Think out loud
8. Focus on one topic at a time
9. Use quality resources
10. Stay consistent

1. Learn Patterns, Not Problems

The biggest mistake? Trying to memorize 500+ solutions.

The truth: Most LeetCode problems fall into ~15 patterns. Learn the pattern, and you can solve any variation.

Core Patterns to Master:

• Two Pointers — Arrays, linked lists
• Sliding Window — Substring/subarray problems
• Binary Search — Sorted arrays, search space
• BFS/DFS — Trees, graphs
• Dynamic Programming — Optimization problems
• Hash Maps — Frequency counting, lookups
• Backtracking — Permutations, combinations
• Heap — Top K, streaming problems

Action: Use AlgoMonster or NeetCode to learn patterns systematically.

2. Start Easy, Master Medium

Don't jump to hards. Your progression should be:

Most interviews are medium difficulty. Focus 70% of your time there.

3. Time-Box Every Attempt

Set a timer for each problem:

• Easy: 15 minutes
• Medium: 25-30 minutes
• Hard: 40-45 minutes

If stuck after the time limit:

1. Read the hint (if available)
2. Look at the approach (not full solution)
3. Try again for 10 more minutes
4. If still stuck, study the solution thoroughly

This prevents wasting hours on one problem and builds realistic interview pacing.

4. Don't Just Solve—Understand

After solving a problem:

1. Explain the approach in plain English
2. Identify the pattern (Two Pointers? DP?)
3. Analyze complexity (time and space)
4. Consider alternatives (could you do it differently?)

Red flag: If you can't solve it again tomorrow without looking at notes, you didn't understand it.

5. Review and Revisit

Spaced repetition beats one-time solving.

Review Strategy:

• Revisit problems after 3 days
• Then 1 week later
• Then 2 weeks later

Keep a problem journal:

• Problem name and link
• Pattern used
• Key insight / trick
• Mistakes made

This builds long-term retention, not short-term memorization.

6. Practice Without IDE Help

Real interviews often use:

• Google Docs
• Whiteboard
• Plain text editor (no autocomplete)

Practice accordingly:

• Disable autocomplete sometimes
• Write code in a Google Doc
• Practice without running code first

This builds syntax confidence and catches errors you'd normally miss.

7. Think Out Loud

Interviews test your thought process, not just your code.

Practice this flow:

1. Clarify — Ask questions about input/output
2. Examples — Walk through examples by hand
3. Approach — Explain your strategy before coding
4. Code — Write while explaining
5. Test — Trace through with test cases
6. Optimize — Discuss improvements

Tip: Record yourself solving a problem. Watch it back. Cringe. Improve.

8. Focus on One Topic at a Time

Don't randomly pick problems. Focus on one pattern until comfortable:

• Week 1: Arrays + Two Pointers
• Week 2: Binary Search
• Week 3: Trees + BFS/DFS
• Week 4: Dynamic Programming
• etc.

Structured lists help:

• NeetCode 150
• Grind 75
• Blind 75

9. Use Quality Resources

Not all resources are equal. Here's what works:

For Learning Patterns:

• NeetCode — Free YouTube explanations
• AlgoMonster — 48 patterns, structured course
• Educative — Grokking the Coding Interview

For Practice:

• LeetCode — The standard
• LeetCopilot — AI hints when stuck (without giving away answers)

For Mock Interviews:

• Pramp — Free peer practice
• Interviewing.io — Paid, professional

10. Stay Consistent

1 hour daily beats 10 hours on Saturday.

Realistic Schedule:

• Weekdays: 1-2 problems (1 hour)
• Weekends: 3-4 problems (2-3 hours)
• Total: 10-15 problems/week

Timeline expectations:

• 4-6 weeks: Comfortable with mediums
• 8-12 weeks: Ready for most interviews
• 16+ weeks: Crushing hards

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The Optimal Workflow

Here's a daily practice routine:

Daily (1 hour):

1. Warm-up: 1 easy (10 min)
2. Main practice: 1-2 mediums (40 min)
3. Review: Yesterday's problems (10 min)

Weekly:

• Review all problems from the week
• Identify weak patterns
• Adjust focus for next week

When Stuck:

• Use LeetCopilot for hints (not full solutions)
• Watch NeetCode video explanation
• Revisit after 2-3 days

FAQ

How many problems should I solve?
Quality over quantity. 100-150 well-understood problems beats 500 memorized ones.

How long until I'm ready?
4-8 weeks for most people with consistent practice.

Should I use Python or my preferred language?
Use what you're fastest in. Python is popular for its brevity.

What if I can't solve anything?
Start with easier problems. Learn fundamentals first. It's normal to struggle initially.

Conclusion

Getting better at LeetCode isn't about grinding more—it's about practicing smarter.

Key takeaways:

1. Learn patterns, not individual problems
2. Time-box attempts to build pacing
3. Review and revisit for retention
4. Stay consistent—daily practice beats cramming

Combine structured learning (NeetCode/AlgoMonster) with practice (LeetCode + LeetCopilot), and you'll see real improvement within weeks.

Good luck!