Should I Do Grind 75 or Blind 75 in 2024? A Complete Comparison Guide

You're ready to start structured interview prep. You've narrowed it down to two popular lists:

Blind 75 — The classic curated list that's been around for years

Grind 75 — The newer, more structured alternative

You search online. You find:

• "Grind 75 is better, it's newer!"
• "Stick with Blind 75, it's proven!"
• "Do both!" (unhelpful when you barely have time for one)

You're stuck in analysis paralysis.

Here's the truth: Both lists are excellent. The question isn't "which is better?" It's "which is better FOR YOU?"

This guide will give you a complete, objective comparison with a decision framework based on your specific situation—timeline, experience, interview date, and learning style.

No more Reddit debates. Just a clear decision.

TL;DR

• The Core Difference: Blind 75 is a fixed, pattern-dense list optimized for minimal time investment (2-3 weeks possible for experienced); Grind 75 is adaptive with difficulty tiers, designed for progressive learning (4-12 weeks depending on customization)
• Why Choice Matters: Wrong list = mismatch between your timeline/level and content difficulty; beginners starting Blind 75 hit wall immediately, experienced engineers doing all Grind 75 Easy waste time
• Decision Framework: Choose based on three factors: (1) Interview timeline (<3 weeks = Blind 75, 1-3 months = Grind 75, 3+ months = Grind 75 extended), (2) Experience level (beginner = Grind 75, intermediate = either, advanced = Blind 75), (3) Learning goal (quick review = Blind 75, deep mastery = Grind 75)
• Common Beginner Mistake: Following "do X" advice without considering that person's context (someone with 2 years experience recommending Blind 75 to complete beginner)
• What You'll Learn: Side-by-side comparison of both lists, when each is optimal, how to customize Grind 75 difficulty, and how AI-guided LeetCode practice adapts to either list's learning curve for personalized support

Understanding the Two Lists

Blind 75: The Original

Created by: A Facebook engineer preparing for interviews

Philosophy: Minimum effective dose—75 carefully selected problems covering all essential patterns

Structure:

• Fixed list (no variations)
• Organized by topic (Arrays, Linked Lists, Trees, etc.)
• No difficulty tiers (mix of Easy/Medium/Hard)
• Emphasis on pattern coverage, not progressive difficulty

Typical completion time: 2-6 weeks (varies by experience)

Grind 75: The Evolution

Created by: Engineer from former Google team, designed as Blind 75 successor

Philosophy: Adaptive learning—customize problem count (25-169) and difficulty based on timeline

Structure:

• Customizable by weeks (choose 1-20 weeks)
• Difficulty tiers (Easy → Medium → Hard progression)
• Weekly targets based on chosen timeline
• Includes time estimates per problem

Typical completion time: 1-12 weeks (highly variable based on configuration)

Side-by-Side Comparison

The Decision Framework: Which List is Right for You?

Factor 1: Your Interview Timeline

You have < 3 weeks:

Choose Blind 75

Why:

• More pattern-dense (less "warm-up" problems)
• Fixed 75 count means clear finish line
• You need maximum efficiency, not gradual learning

Strategy: Do 5-6 problems/day, skip ones you already know cold

You have 1-3 months:

Choose Grind 75 (set to 8-12 weeks)

Why:

• Customize to your exact timeline
• Difficulty progression prevents burnout
• Weekly targets keep you on pace

Strategy: Configure for your exact weeks available, progress through tiers systematically

You have 3+ months:

Choose Grind 75 (extended version to 169 problems)

Why:

• You have time for comprehensive coverage
• Can do spaced repetition properly
• Grind 75's extended set covers more edge cases

Strategy: Do standard 75 first, then add variations and harder problems

Factor 2: Your Coding Experience

Complete Beginner (< 20 LeetCode solved)

Choose Grind 75

Why:

• Starts with actual Easy problems
• Progressive difficulty builds confidence
• Time estimates help you gauge progress

Blind 75 problem: Jumps straight to "Medium" problems that feel Hard for beginners

Intermediate Coder (20-100 problems solved)

Either works, slight edge to Grind 75

Why:

• You can handle Blind 75's mixed difficulty
• But Grind 75's structure saves time (no guessing what to do next)

Decision tip: If you struggle with Easy problems still → Grind 75. If you breeze through Easy → Blind 75.

Experienced Engineer (100+ problems, strong CS background)

Choose Blind 75

Why:

• You don't need beginner scaffolding
• Want maximum pattern exposure, minimum filler
• Blind 75's density is efficient for review

Grind 75 problem: First 20 problems might feel too easy (wasted time)

Factor 3: Your Learning Goal

Goal: Quick refresher before interviews

Choose Blind 75

Why:

• Assumes you know fundamentals
• Gets straight to pattern practice
• No time wasted on "too easy" problems

Goal: Build solid foundation from scratch

Choose Grind 75

Why:

• Progressive learning prevents gaps
• Time estimates help realistic planning
• Can extend to 169 for comprehensive mastery

Goal: Maximize interview pass rate

Either works, but...

• Short timeline (<1 month): Blind 75 (more pattern-dense)
• Long timeline (2+ months): Grind 75 extended (more thorough)

Common Scenarios and Recommendations

Scenario 1: "I'm a bootcamp grad with an interview in 2 weeks"

Recommendation: Blind 75

Strategy:

• Focus on Medium problems (skip Easy if you know them)
• Do 6-7/day
• Prioritize topics you're weakest in (Trees, DP)

Why not Grind 75: Not enough time for progressive build; need maximum pattern exposure NOW

Scenario 2: "I'm a CS student with 3 months before recruiting season"

Recommendation: Grind 75 (12-week plan)

Strategy:

• Start with Grind 75's Easy tier (build confidence)
• Progress through Medium systematically
• Last month: focus on company-specific patterns

Why not Blind 75: You have time for structured learning; Grind 75's progression prevents burnout

Scenario 3: "I'm switching careers, coding for 6 months, first tech interview ever"

Recommendation: Grind 75 (extended, 16+ weeks)

Strategy:

• Start with fundamentals (Easy tier)
• Don't rush Medium tier (spend 2-3 weeks per 10 problems)
• Add variations of patterns you struggle with

Why not Blind 75: Too aggressive for your level; risk of discouragement early

Scenario 4: "I have a Google onsite in 10 days"

Recommendation: Blind 75 (Fast track)

Strategy:

• Only do problems you DON'T know by heart
• Focus on DP and graph problems (Google favorites)
• Do mock interviews daily

Why not Grind 75: No time for structure; pure pattern refresh mode

Scenario 5: "I want to master DSA, no specific interview date"

Recommendation: Grind 75 extended (169 problems over 20 weeks)

Strategy:

• Full progressive build (Easy → Medium → Hard)
• Use spaced repetition for reviews
• Add company-specific problems after

Why not Blind 75: You're not time-constrained; go for mastery over efficiency

Can You Do Both?

Yes, but sequentially, not simultaneously.

Option 1: Blind 75 → Grind 75 Extensions

If you finish Blind 75 and want more:

• Do Grind 75's additional problems (the 94 beyond Blind 75's overlap)
• Focus on Hard tier for challenge

Option 2: Grind 75 → Blind 75 Gap Fill

If you do Grind 75 (base 75) and want Blind 75's specific problems:

• ~45-50 problems overlap between the lists
• Do the 25-30 Blind 75 problems not in Grind 75

Overlap: Approximately 60-65% of problems appear in both lists

Customizing Grind 75 to Match Your Needs

Grind 75's superpower is customization. Here's how:

Setting Your Week Count

Access the Grind 75 website → Choose weeks:

• 1-4 weeks: ~10-25 problems (ultra-focused, experienced only)
• 5-8 weeks: ~50-75 problems (standard preparation)
• 9-12 weeks: ~100-120 problems (comprehensive)
• 13-20 weeks: ~150-169 problems (mastery mode)

Adjusting Difficulty Distribution

Even if you pick "8 weeks," you can:

• Skip Easy problems if you breeze through them
• Spend extra time on Medium if you struggle
• Add Hard problems from the extended set

Grind 75 is a framework, not a rigid plan.

How to Decide: The 30-Second Test

Still unsure? Answer these three questions:

Q1: Do you have < 3 weeks until interviews?

• Yes → Blind 75
• No → Continue to Q2

Q2: Are you a complete beginner (<20 problems solved)?

• Yes → Grind 75
• No → Continue to Q3

Q3: Do you want structure/difficulty progression or maximum pattern density?

• Structure → Grind 75
• Density → Blind 75

Common Mistakes When Choosing

Mistake 1: Following "X is better" Without Context

Example: "Someone said Grind 75 is better, so I'm doing it"

Problem: That person might be a beginner for whom Grind 75 IS better. If you're experienced, Blind 75 might suit you more.

Fix: Use the decision framework above, not random advice

Mistake 2: Starting One, Switching Mid-Way

Example: Do 30 problems of Blind 75 → hear Grind 75 is better → switch → do 20 of Grind 75 → confusion

Problem: Switching lists wastes time and breaks momentum

Fix: Commit to ONE list. Finish it. Only then consider the other.

Mistake 3: Trying to Do Both Simultaneously

Example: "I'll do Blind 75 on weekdays and Grind 75 on weekends!"

Problem: Overlap confuses progress tracking, no clear finish line, burnout risk

Fix: Pick one. Finish it. Then expand if needed.

Using Tools to Support Either List

Both lists benefit from structured practice tools.

For Blind 75:

• Need external structure (it's just a problem list)
• Track progress manually or use habit trackers
• Find pattern explanations separately

For Grind 75:

• Built-in weekly structure
• Time estimates and difficulty tiers
• Still need to find hints/explanations

Regardless of list choice, tools like LeetCopilot can provide:

• Pattern recognition hints without spoiling solutions
• Difficulty-adaptive support (more guidance for Blind 75's harder problems, lighter touch for Grind 75 Easy)
• Progress tracking that works with either list's structure

This removes the disadvantage of Blind 75's lack of structure while enhancing Grind 75's progressive approach.

FAQ

Which list do companies prefer?

Neither. Companies don't know or care which list you used. They care about your problem-solving ability and pattern knowledge.

Is Grind 75 just Blind 75 with more problems?

Not quite. Grind 75 is a redesign with progressive difficulty and customization. It's not just "Blind 75 plus extras."

Can I do Grind 75's first 75 problems instead of Blind 75?

Yes, but they're different. Grind 75's first 75 ≠ Blind 75. Different problems, different patterns emphasized.

Which list is harder?

Depends. Blind 75 feels harder early (mixed difficulty). Grind 75 feels harder late (extends to Hard problems). Overall difficulty is comparable.

Should I do all 169 problems in Grind 75?

Only if you have 3+ months and want comprehensive mastery. Most people stop at 75-100.

Conclusion

Stop asking "Which list is better?"

Start asking: "Which list fits MY timeline, experience, and goals?"

Here's the decision tree:

You have < 3 weeks: → Blind 75

You're a complete beginner: → Grind 75 (progressive)

You have 1-3 months: → Grind 75 (customized)

You're experienced with tight timeline: → Blind 75 (dense patterns)

You want comprehensive mastery: → Grind 75 extended (169 problems)

Both lists will prepare you for interviews. The "best" list is the one you'll actually finish.

Choose based on your situation, not internet opinions. Commit fully. Complete it.

That's the path to interview success—not which list you pick, but that you finish whichever you start.