Google Coding Interview Questions
106 coding questions reported by candidates who interviewed at Google, out of 113 Google questions we track. They average 3.0/5 difficulty (medium). Most common topics: Array, Greedy, String, Simulation. 49 were reported asked within the last year, most recently in October 2026.
Practice Google questions →Difficulty
- 1/5 — warm-up1
- 2/5 — easy14
- 3/5 — medium71
- 4/5 — hard20
Asked for SWE (105), MLE (9), Infra (2), DS (1)
Reported Google coding questions
HTTP Router with Path Parameters
3/5A coding question on building the routing layer of a web server: routes are registered once, then incoming URLs must be resolved to the correct handler, with some routes capturing named path segments. It tests what happens when two routes could both match and how lookup recovers when a first choice fails.
asked October 2026CodingTrieDesignMaximum Value With a Unit-Weight Capacity
2/5A coding question about choosing items of limited supply to maximise total value when only a fixed number of items fit. Huge counts, a very large cap, non-positive values and exact big-integer totals are the edge cases that matter.
asked October 2026CodingGreedySortingHorizontal Cut That Halves the Area of Rectangular Cakes
3/5A coding question about slicing a collection of axis-aligned rectangles with a single straight line so that both sides hold equal total area. The answer must be precise when several lines qualify, and the follow-up asks for a method whose cost does not grow with how spread out the rectangles are.
asked July 2026CodingBinary SearchGeometryCheck Whether a Mahjong Hand Is Winning
3/5Encountered in Google coding interviews, this puzzle requires you to determine whether a given collection of numeric tiles forms a valid winning hand according to specific matching rules. You must decompose the set into a matched pair and multiple valid triplets or consecutive runs through systematic searching. The problem tests recursive backtracking, constraint validation, and combinatorial partitioning strategies. Subscribe today to unlock the complete problem description and optimal algorithmic solution.
asked July 2026BacktrackingRecursionCountingTop-K Frequent in Large Logs
3/5Tackle a classic data processing challenge often featured in software engineering interviews at Google by learning how to extract the most frequent elements from a massive stream of log entries. This problem evaluates your proficiency with advanced data structures, sorting alternatives, and memory management strategies when dealing with datasets that exceed available RAM. You will examine trade-offs between heap-based approaches, partition-based selection algorithms, and distributed processing patterns. Unlock the full problem breakdown and optimized model solution with a paid subscription.
asked July 2026HeapHashmapScalingCheck Whether a Template Occurs in Leaf Text of a Binary Tree
3/5Read the characters stored in a binary tree's leaves from left to right and decide whether a given pattern appears somewhere in that sequence. This Google question combines a traversal with substring search, and the interesting part is doing it without materialising the whole concatenation first. You will handle spaces inside leaves, keep the matcher fed incrementally, and give an honest complexity bound for both the traversal and the search. A subscription unlocks the complete problem and the model solution.
asked July 2026StringTreeTraversalMinimum Direction Violations
3/5Travel between two nodes of a directed graph while going the wrong way along as few edges as possible, where following an edge forwards is free. Asked at Google, the zero-and-one cost structure is the hint: a double-ended queue gives the shortest path without the overhead of a full priority queue. You will add reverse edges with unit cost, push free moves to the front of the queue, and report when the destination is unreachable. A subscription unlocks the full problem and the model solution.
asked July 2026GraphShortest PathBFSEnumerate All Strings of 1s and 2s with a Given Digit Sum
2/5A coding question about generating every sequence built from two small symbols that meets an exact total, then reasoning about how large the result can get. It tests recursive enumeration, ordering of the output, and how to size the work by what is produced rather than by what is searched.
asked July 2026CodingBacktrackingRecursionDeduplicate Log Messages and Return Them in Timestamp Order
3/5A coding question about removing repeated entries from an event record and returning what remains in time order. It probes careful reading of which copy to keep, deterministic ordering when times collide, and an incremental version where entries show up one by one and must be handed out earliest first.
asked July 2026CodingHash TableSortingLongest Consecutive Path in Binary Tree
3/5Navigating tree structures to find sequential values is a classic algorithmic challenge frequently featured in technical evaluations at Google. This problem asks you to discover the longest continuous path where node values increment step-by-step, starting from parents and moving down to their descendants, with potential follow-up complexities involving multidirectional traversals. It tests your proficiency with recursive traversal patterns, depth-first search strategies, and state tracking across branches. Unlock full access to this challenge and its detailed model solution with a paid subscription.
asked July 2026TreeDFSRecursionTrie Prefix Search / Autocomplete
3/5This Google interview staple tests your ability to construct a prefix tree data structure to facilitate rapid autocomplete lookups and lexicographical sorting from a vocabulary dictionary. It evaluates your pointer management and tree traversal skills under standard search constraints. Access to the full problem statement and an optimal model implementation requires a subscription.
asked July 2026TrieTreeDFSPiano Hand Movement Grouping
3/5This Google interview question evaluates your algorithmic thinking by simulating hand displacements across a sequence of musical instrument targets. You must determine the minimal number of repositioning actions required to cover a given set of indices, while a follow-up layer asks you to reconstruct and output the specific groupings formed between movements. The challenge highlights efficient array scanning and state tracking techniques. Access the comprehensive problem details and model solution by getting a subscription.
asked July 2026ArraySimulationSliding WindowMeeting Rooms: Minimum Rooms to Hold All Meetings
3/5Reported as a classic Google interview scenario, this problem examines your skill in handling interval scheduling and timeline management. You are tasked with determining the minimum capacity of concurrent spaces needed to accommodate a series of scheduled appointments without any temporal conflicts. Success relies on effectively sorting and tracking active intervals. To view the full problem statement along with the complete model solution, a subscription is required.
asked June 2026IntervalsSortingHeap2D Points Connected Components by Radius
3/5Tackle a geometric clustering problem where spatial coordinates must be grouped based on a proximity threshold, a classic coding interview question encountered at Google. This challenge tests your proficiency with graph traversal techniques and disjoint-set data structures to efficiently determine transitive relationships among coordinates. You will practice optimizing neighborhood scans and managing spatial connectivity to compute the final cluster count. Unlock the comprehensive breakdown and fully optimized model solution with a subscription.
asked June 2026GraphDFSBFSWebsite Activity Analytics: Unique Users + Session Time
3/5This reported Google coding interview challenge evaluates your ability to process web log data effectively. You are asked to compute distinct visitor totals for various actions alongside calculating the average duration users spend browsing the platform. The exercise tests your data aggregation skills and requires careful handling of edge cases rather than just pristine code. The complete problem statement, underlying logic, and verified model solution require a subscription.
asked June 2026PythonHashmapData AnalysisActive Communication Top Users
3/5This engaging Google interview challenge evaluates your ability to handle continuous data feeds and track dynamic statistics in real time. You will build a system that ingests interaction pairs, maintains frequency tallies, and efficiently surfaces the most active participants based on custom ordering criteria. This problem tests data structure design, state management, and algorithmic optimization under high-frequency updates. To explore the complete problem statement, edge-case handling, and an optimal model solution, unlock full access with a subscription.
asked June 2026HashmapSetSortingStreaming Points: Emit K Within Distance
3/5Reported as a challenging Google interview question, this task involves monitoring a continuous stream of coordinate data and dynamically emitting groups of points that fall within a specific proximity threshold. You must design an efficient tracking mechanism that updates active sets and handles multi-point spatial distance conditions, with a follow-up scaling to arbitrary group sizes. It evaluates advanced data stream management, spatial reasoning, and algorithmic optimization. To explore the full problem description and view the expert solution, a subscription is needed.
asked June 2026Data StructureSortingSliding WindowExpression Tree Single-Leaf Mutation
3/5This Google interview question requires evaluating a boolean logic tree and efficiently recalculating the root outcome following individual leaf value mutations. It assesses tree traversal strategies, state caching, and the ability to minimize redundant computations. Unlock the full problem specification and expert solution by subscribing today.
asked June 2026TreeDFSSimulationLongest-Match Greedy Tokenization with Dictionary ID Replacement
3/5In this coding interview task reported at Google, you are required to implement a greedy tokenization algorithm that processes text from left to right using a predefined dictionary of identifier mappings. At every step, the procedure must identify and consume the longest matching prefix before emitting its corresponding integer code, while gracefully handling unrecognized characters. The exercise examines your understanding of string parsing, prefix matching, and efficient lookup logic. Get full access to the complete problem description and model solution with a subscription.
asked June 2026GreedyStringTrieFirst Bad Version with Parallel Search Follow-up
3/5Recalled from a Google phone screen, this problem extends the classic monotonic search challenge by introducing a concurrent partitioning follow-up to locate a faulty software release efficiently. The exercise evaluates binary search mastery, parallelization strategies, and clean code implementation under strict performance constraints. The full problem text, concurrency patterns, and verified model solution require a paid subscription.
asked June 2026Binary SearchConcurrencyEvaluate a Nested Math Expression
3/5Parse and compute nested functional expressions smoothly with this classic parsing challenge frequently asked at Google. The task assesses your proficiency with recursion, stack-based parsing, and transforming structured string inputs into evaluated numeric results. You will practice breaking down nested grammar rules and managing operator precedence without relying on unsafe evaluation functions. Unlock the comprehensive problem guide, parsing strategies, and clean model solution by obtaining a subscription.
asked June 2026ParsingRecursionStackEmployee Hierarchy Add / Delete
3/5Master tree manipulation and relationship tracking with this reported Google interview question, which challenges candidates to build an organizational hierarchy management system. You will need to implement functionality for onboarding new personnel, removing records by identifier, and gracefully handling complex edge cases such as executive restructuring, circular reporting loops, and seniority-based promotions. This exercise tests your ability to maintain structural integrity and handle dynamic pointer modifications efficiently under constraints. Access the complete problem description and expert model solution with an active subscription.
asked June 2026TreeHashmapObject DesignHuffman Tree Construction
4/5Featured in advanced Google onsite coding rounds, this problem requires constructing an optimal prefix tree from a given frequency map of symbols. Candidates must implement a greedy algorithm utilizing a priority queue to iteratively merge the least frequent elements until a unified tree structure is formed. This exercise tests your ability to write clean, production-ready code while demonstrating strong command over fundamental data structures. Unlock the full problem details and reference solution by subscribing to our platform.
asked June 2026TreeHeapGreedyGrid Flower Placement
3/5Reported as a Google interview task, this puzzle involves arranging botanical items across a matrix subject to specific spatial spacing rules. Candidates must determine valid configurations or find the peak density of placements while respecting adjacency restrictions between items. This exercise evaluates spatial reasoning, backtracking, and constraint satisfaction techniques. Access the complete problem description, complexity analysis, and verified model solution by acquiring a subscription.
asked May 2026GridGreedySimulationCompute Total Size of a File System
2/5This classic Google interview question requires calculating the aggregate storage space consumed by all files within a hierarchical file system directory tree. Candidates must navigate nested directories and files efficiently to ensure every component is accounted for without duplication. The exercise tests foundational tree traversal algorithms and recursive programming techniques. Access the complete problem statement and optimized model solution with a paid subscription.
asked May 2026TreeRecursionDFSDesign a Tic-Tac-Toe System (k Players, n x n Board)
3/5Designing extensible game logic for multiple participants on a grid is an engaging system design challenge featured in Google coding interviews. This problem asks you to build a robust Tic-Tac-Toe system that accommodates a variable number of players and board dimensions while ensuring win conditions are tracked efficiently in constant time per move. The exercise tests your ability to maintain state matrices and optimize lookup performance. Unlock the full problem details and expert solution by subscribing.
asked May 2026DesignMatrixGameChecksum-Based Chunk Validation
3/5Master string parsing and block processing techniques frequently featured in technical evaluations at Google. This problem evaluates your ability to segment sequential text data into uniform fragments and compute arithmetic signatures based on character mapping rules. You will need to carefully handle boundary conditions and apply efficient transformations. Explore the complete problem description and expert model solution with a paid subscription.
asked May 2026StringHashingChunkingDebug Feature Enablement With Dependencies
3/5Faced during Google coding evaluations, this dependency-resolution task requires you to validate feature activation requests against complex prerequisite networks. You must accurately trace transitive relationships, identify missing prerequisites, and detect problematic circular dependencies that prevent proper system initialization. The exercise assesses your graph traversal proficiency and error-handling design in configuration systems. Unlocking the complete problem text and the expert-crafted model solution requires a subscription.
asked May 2026GraphDFSDependenciesCount Perfect Wake Numbers up to N
4/5Solve a combinatorial counting puzzle featured in technical screenings at Google. The objective is to compute the total number of integers up to a given upper bound that satisfy strict digit uniqueness and local extrema constraints. This problem tests your expertise in digit manipulation, combinatorics, and efficient range-counting algorithms. The complete problem statement and optimized model solution require a subscription.
asked May 2026Bit ManipulationDynamic ProgrammingMax Coins Collected by Jumping Over Tokens
4/5Encountered in Google interview processes, this algorithmic puzzle asks you to navigate an array with variable jump lengths to maximize your accumulated score, which includes both rewards and penalties. It tests your dynamic programming skills, pathfinding logic, and optimization strategies over sequential choices. Unlock the complete problem details and clean model solution by subscribing.
asked May 2026ArrayDynamic ProgrammingJump GameLargest Group of Two-Digit Numbers Sharing Digits
3/5Encountered during a Google interview, this puzzle requires you to analyze a collection of numeric values and find the largest connected component based on shared digits. The challenge tests your graph theory knowledge, particularly your ability to identify transitive relationships and group interconnected elements efficiently. Finding the maximum cluster size demands clever use of disjoint-set data structures or traversal techniques. To view the complete problem breakdown and verified solution, please subscribe.
asked May 2026ConnectivityGraphGroupingGate Entry / Exit Time Resolution with Tie-Break Rules
3/5In this reported Google interview question, candidates must process a sequence of entry and exit requests for individuals passing through a controlled gate. The challenge focuses on determining the precise clearance timestamp for each person when multiple events overlap, requiring careful handling of simultaneous actions and priority rules. This problem evaluates your ability to simulate state transitions and apply deterministic tie-breaking logic. Access to the complete problem description and an optimal model solution requires a subscription.
asked May 2026SimulationAlgorithmFriendship Connectivity with Union-Find
3/5In this Google interview challenge, you are tasked with tracking dynamic relationships within a population using efficient graph algorithms. The problem evaluates your ability to process continuous connection updates and instantly evaluate transitive associations between entities. Success depends on implementing an optimal disjoint-set data structure to handle frequent queries with minimal latency. Unlock the full challenge breakdown and optimized code solution by purchasing a subscription.
asked May 2026Union FindGraphConnectivityNecklace Cut into Two Halves with Equal D/R Counts
4/5String manipulation and circular array partitioning form the core of this advanced Google interview task, which asks developers to divide a continuous sequence into balanced segments using minimal cuts. Candidates must analyze character distributions across a looped dataset to locate optimal division points that satisfy strict compositional ratios. This puzzle tests mathematical reasoning, sliding window techniques, and optimal boundary identification under constraints. Exploring the full problem scope and detailed model solution requires a paid subscription.
asked May 2026StringTwo PointerMath ReasoningFence Painting Minimum Operations
3/5Reported from a Google coding interview, this challenge asks you to determine the minimum number of paint-roller operations needed to color a series of adjacent fence planks of varying heights. You can apply vertical strokes to individual planks or horizontal strokes across contiguous blocks, with each stroke carrying a fixed cost. The problem evaluates your greedy or dynamic programming skills to find the most efficient overlapping stroke strategy. Unlock the full problem details, complexity analysis, and model solution with a subscription.
asked April 2026Dynamic ProgrammingRecursionGolden Chain Split After Removing One Link
3/5This Google coding problem describes a "golden chain" as a sequence of consecutive links. The core task is to analyze how this chain splits into segments when a single link is removed at a specified position. You need to compute characteristics of the resulting pieces, such as their lengths or the values they contain. This question primarily assesses your ability to manipulate array-like structures, handle boundary conditions, and correctly identify contiguous segments after an element's removal. It's a straightforward test of array indexing and basic logic. The full problem and model solution require a subscription.
asked April 2026ArrayGreedySimulationSum of Good Subarrays (Adjacent Diff ±1)
3/5Featured in a Google coding evaluation, this problem requires you to calculate the aggregate sum of all contiguous subarrays whose elements change by a constant step of either plus or minus one between adjacent positions. Achieving an efficient linear time complexity is the core hurdle, demanding advanced array traversal and mathematical accumulation insights. It evaluates your proficiency in recognizing sequential patterns and maintaining running calculations dynamically. Access to the full problem description and comprehensive model solution requires an active subscription.
asked February 2026ArrayTwo PointerString Decompression with Nested Counts
3/5Tackle a popular Google onsite coding challenge centered on decoding complex, nested string compression formats. You will need to process characters and repeatable blocks efficiently, handling arbitrary levels of nesting and numeric multipliers to reconstruct the original text. This problem tests your stack manipulation skills, parsing logic, and recursive thinking. The comprehensive problem description and the complete, optimized model solution are available exclusively to subscribers.
asked February 2026StringRecursionStackStreaming Insert + Find K-th Largest
3/5This Google onsite interview question centers on designing a specialized data structure that handles continuous data insertions while efficiently retrieving elements at a specific rank with duplicate support. The challenge tests your mastery of advanced data structures, such as augmented trees or heaps, to maintain low time complexity for dynamic queries. Building scalable architectures for real-time statistical retrieval is a frequent theme in senior-level assessments. Access the complete problem guide and optimized reference solution with a subscription.
asked February 2026Data StructureTreeRestaurant Waitlist: join / delete / find_first_match
3/5Featured in a Google onsite interview, this coding challenge asks you to design a custom data structure for managing a restaurant queue with dynamic insertions, arbitrary deletions, and conditional searches. You must efficiently handle temporal ordering alongside party size constraints without disrupting the underlying sequence during lookup operations. The task tests your knowledge of advanced data structures and algorithmic trade-offs for stateful services. To view the full problem statement and the expert solution, a subscription is required.
asked February 2026Data StructureOOP DesignGoogle Doc Line Wrap (Word Wrap with Whitespace and Newlines)
3/5Formatting text within strict horizontal boundaries is a classic text-processing challenge often encountered in Google software engineering interviews. This problem requires you to calculate the exact vertical space needed to render a block of text given a specific character limit per row, while correctly honoring explicit line breaks and whitespace constraints without splitting individual words. It tests your proficiency in string manipulation, greedy layout algorithms, and edge-case management. Access to the full problem breakdown and the clean, tested reference solution requires a paid subscription.
asked February 2026StringSimulationRun-Length Vector Storage + Dot Product
3/5Featured in a Google AI infrastructure screen, this challenge focuses on optimizing memory usage for massive integer arrays containing extensive repetitions. The first part requires designing a compressed storage layout, while the second part asks you to compute a dot product directly on these compressed vectors without expanding them fully. It tests your systems design intuition and algorithmic efficiency under tight resource constraints. Unlock the complete problem guide and expert solution by subscribing.
asked January 2026Data StructureTwo PointerTree Distance Sum (Re-root DP)
4/5Reported as a Google onsite coding challenge, this problem requires calculating the sum of shortest-path distances from every single node to all other vertices in an undirected tree. You will explore an initial naive traversal approach before optimizing toward an efficient linear-time solution using advanced tree dynamic programming techniques often known as re-rooting. Solving this task highlights your mastery of tree properties and dynamic programming optimization strategies. Read the full problem specification and examine the complete reference solution with a subscription.
asked January 2026DFSDynamic ProgrammingTreePath Minimizing the Maximum Cell (Swim in Rising Water)
3/5This Google technical interview question challenges you to navigate a grid while minimizing the highest individual cost encountered along the journey from the origin to the destination. Rather than summing cumulative weights, the goal is to optimize the worst-case hurdle on the chosen path, testing your proficiency with priority queues, graph traversal, and modified shortest-path algorithms. A related follow-up extends these concepts to general weighted network routing scenarios. Dive into the complete problem analysis and expert-written code solution with a subscription.
asked January 2026GraphHeapAlgorithmBabylon Tile-Stack Merge Game
4/5Prepare for rigorous onsite algorithm rounds with this challenging combinatorial game puzzle previously asked during engineering interviews at Google. You will simulate a strategic two-player board activity involving colored stack merges governed by specific height and composition constraints. Solving this requires deep game theory logic, state tracking, and careful move evaluation. Gain access to the complete ruleset and optimal algorithmic strategy by subscribing today.
asked December 2025SimulationData StructureWordle-Style 5-Letter Minimum-Guess Strategy
4/5Tackle a popular technical assessment featured in evaluation loops at Google by designing an optimal strategy to uncover a hidden five-letter string. Candidates must interact with a restricted query mechanism to pinpoint correct characters across specific indices while minimizing total operational calls. This challenge evaluates algorithmic efficiency, query reduction strategies, and dictionary-based search optimization under tight constraints. Discovering the complete problem statement and optimal model solution requires a paid subscription.
asked December 2025Algorithm DesignGreedyImplement a Nested Tic-Tac-Toe Game Engine
3/5This complex game development challenge, reported from Google interviews, tasks you with programming the engine for a nested variant of Tic-Tac-Toe played on a grand scale grid consisting of interconnected macro and micro boards. You will need to validate complex move rules, track macro-level victories, and determine overall game outcomes efficiently. The task tests your advanced array manipulation, state management, and algorithmic design skills. To examine the complete game specifications and the reference implementation, a subscription is necessary.
asked December 2025Two-Day Log Intersection under Memory Limit
3/5Handling massive datasets under tight memory constraints is a hallmark of rigorous engineering assessments, like this reported Google interview question. The task requires processing multiple large log datasets to discover specific object identifiers that meet dual criteria involving frequency and distinct client associations. Interviewees must transition from straightforward hash-based approaches to advanced external sorting and pointer techniques when resources are severely restricted. This evaluation measures your capability to scale data pipelines gracefully under strict hardware limits. Unlocking the complete problem explanation and optimal model solution requires a subscription.
asked November 2025HashmapTwo PointerStreamingFind All Bad Pairs Using runTest Oracle
4/5Encountered during a Google PhD intern screening, this advanced algorithmic challenge requires you to isolate problematic item pairs using a restricted black-box testing function. The core objective is to minimize query overhead while efficiently deducing faulty relationships across a large dataset. This puzzle tests your mastery of search strategies and optimization under uncertainty. Unlocking the comprehensive problem statement and optimal algorithmic solution requires a subscription.
asked November 2025Algorithm DesignMath ReasoningMaintain Manager/Peer Relationships and Answer Queries
3/5This system design and coding problem, reported during a Google interview, revolves around modeling hierarchical organizational charts and answering complex relational queries efficiently. You will need to implement a robust data structure capable of tracking reporting lines and resolving transitive management connections under tight performance constraints. Unlock the comprehensive problem description and the model solution by subscribing.
DesignHash MapTreeDesign FancySet With Amortized O(1) Add / Remove
3/5Mastering advanced data structure design is essential for tackling this Google interview challenge, which requires you to build a specialized collection maintaining swift constant-time performance across insertion, deletion, membership testing, and random sampling. This problem evaluates your deep understanding of memory management, underlying hash maps, and index tracking techniques to achieve amortized efficiency. You will need to carefully orchestrate multiple internal storage mechanisms to ensure every operation runs seamlessly without performance degradation. Upgrade your account to unlock the comprehensive problem description, architectural analysis, and complete model solution.
AmortizedData StructuresDesignRotten Oranges / Multi-Source BFS (taxis)
3/5Master multi-source breadth-first search techniques with this grid-based distance calculation problem frequently asked at Google. Candidates are tasked with determining the shortest distance from every cell in a matrix to the nearest active source point, handling simultaneous expansions layer by layer. This exercise is exceptional for solidifying graph traversal patterns and handling grid-based state changes. Access the full problem details and expert-crafted solutions with a subscription.
GridBFSMinimum Racks to Pack Machines (2D Bin Packing)
4/5This algorithmic problem, frequently featured in Google technical screens, challenges you to solve a multidimensional resource allocation puzzle akin to two-dimensional bin packing. You are tasked with determining the minimum number of hardware racks required to host a collection of machines, each consuming specific dual-resource capacities. The challenge evaluates your grasp of combinatorial optimization, greedy heuristics, and efficient search strategies. Access the comprehensive problem breakdown, test cases, and optimal algorithmic solution by obtaining a paid subscription.
GreedyBin PackingSortingDetermine Passing Order and Ranking
3/5Investigate a dynamic simulation challenge frequently utilized by interviewers at Google to evaluate spatial reasoning and algorithmic modeling. Competitors moving along a track with varying starting coordinates and constant velocities must be tracked to determine exact overtaking events and final standings. This task tests your ability to model continuous movement, compute intersection points, and maintain accurate chronological ordering. The full problem text and detailed implementation strategy are available exclusively to subscribers.
SortingSimulationRankingGet Meeting Intervals (Google Bangalore)
3/5Merge a calendar full of overlapping meetings into the stretches of time you are genuinely busy, after carving out one protected block you never attend meetings during. This Google question is interval merging with a subtraction step, and the subtraction is where it gets interesting: one meeting can be split into two pieces. You will sort and merge first or subtract first, defend the order you chose, and handle meetings swallowed entirely by the protected block. Subscribers get the full problem and the model solution.
IntervalsArraysSortingFind All People Who Learn a Secret
4/5This intriguing graph traversal problem, frequently reported from Google interviews, requires you to track the dissemination of confidential information across a timestamped network of pairwise interactions. You must determine the complete roster of individuals who eventually acquire the data through direct or cascading relays. The challenge evaluates your proficiency with chronological sorting, graph connectivity, and breadth-first search adaptations. Get the full problem text and optimal solution by acquiring a subscription.
BFSGraphSortingMinimum Cars to Satisfy Rental Requests
4/5Faced during a Google technical screening, this problem requires determining the fewest operational assets needed to service a schedule of overlapping time intervals without scheduling conflicts. Candidates must analyze temporal boundaries to calculate the peak concurrency of active bookings at any given moment. This exercise targets interval manipulation and greedy algorithm proficiency. Gain complete access to the detailed problem analysis and optimal code solution through a paid subscription.
IntervalsSweep LineGreedyMaximum Sum Subarray with Constraints
3/5Master a classic algorithmic pattern frequently asked in Google interviews by finding the contiguous subarray within a numeric sequence that yields the highest cumulative sum. This problem tests your comprehension of dynamic programming and greedy strategies to process elements in linear time. You will learn how to maintain running totals and efficiently discard suboptimal paths. Unlock the full problem text and complete model solution with a subscription.
ArrayKadaneDynamic ProgrammingMost Booked Hotel Room
3/5Replay a chronological log of room bookings and releases across a small hotel and report which room was taken the most times. Asked at Google, the question is a counting exercise with a deliberately specified tie rule, and the room labels make the index arithmetic worth getting right. You will track per-room counts, ignore the releases for counting purposes, and resolve ties the way the specification demands. A subscription unlocks the complete problem and the reference solution.
ArrayStringHashmapLongest Increasing Subarray with One Modification
3/5Examine a sophisticated sequence manipulation challenge often encountered in engineering assessments at Google. The objective is to determine the longest uninterrupted ascending portion of a list of numbers after permitting a single element alteration. This problem evaluates your analytical capacity to handle boundary conditions, track state changes efficiently, and optimize time complexity. Access the complete problem description and thorough algorithmic walkthrough by purchasing a subscription.
ArrayDynamic ProgrammingGreedyDetermine Whether Two Horses Are Related
3/5This conceptual coding challenge, frequently reported during technical screenings at Google, asks you to determine whether two distinct subjects share a biological lineage within a provided ancestry graph. The exercise tests your mastery of graph traversal strategies, lineage tracking, and relationship validation across complex hierarchical datasets. Gain access to the full problem text, structural constraints, and an optimal algorithmic solution by upgrading to a paid subscription.
GraphUnion FindBFSCount Square Submatrices with All Ones
3/5As a classic algorithmic puzzle often asked by Google, this task asks you to quantify all possible square subgrids entirely filled with ones within a binary matrix. You will need to account for overlapping regions of varying dimensions efficiently without resorting to brute-force enumeration. The challenge provides excellent practice for dynamic programming and matrix manipulation techniques. Unlock the comprehensive walkthrough and verified code implementation with a subscription.
Dynamic ProgrammingMatrixCountingBelt Packing: Online Triplet Detection
4/5This Google interview question presents a streaming data challenge where items arrive sequentially on a conveyor belt. The exercise evaluates your ability to maintain a running multiset and implement an online algorithm that detects and removes specific item triplets matching a numerical threshold condition as they appear. You will need to focus on efficient state tracking and real-time processing performance. The complete problem statement, test cases, and optimal solution are available with a paid subscription.
Hash MapStreamingDesignEqual Division of Square Area
2/5Split the area of a square into a given number of equal shares and define the interface that does it, including input and output formats. Asked at Google, the arithmetic is a single division and the real content is the specification around it: validating the divisor, choosing a return type that does not lose precision, and stating the complexity honestly. You will handle a zero or negative count and explain why the geometry imposes no further constraint. Subscribers get the full problem and the model answer.
MathGeometryImplementationStuck Keyboard / Jammed String Matching
3/5This Google interview question challenges candidates to filter a vocabulary list by matching words against a sequence produced by a faulty keyboard where keys stick and repeat characters. The task evaluates your ability to handle custom sequence comparisons, grouping adjacent identical elements, and validating length constraints between candidate strings and corrupted inputs. You will need to design an efficient routine that checks whether each dictionary term can successfully map to the jammed output. Access to the complete problem breakdown and the optimal model solution requires a subscription.
MatchingRun LengthStringRussian Doll Envelopes
3/5Tackle a popular geometric nesting problem frequently featured in technical interviews at Google, where you must calculate the maximum chain length of two-dimensional objects that can be sequentially nested inside one another. This puzzle tests your ability to combine multi-level sorting strategies with dynamic programming optimizations to achieve an efficient runtime complexity. Mastering the nuances of dimension ordering and subsequence reduction is essential for success. Unlocking the full problem walkthrough and expert code implementation requires a subscription.
ArrayBinary SearchDynamic ProgrammingMove Chess Pieces on a 1D Board to Match Target
3/5Determining whether a specific arrangement of directional sliding blocks can be shifted to match a desired configuration is the objective of this Google interview question. The challenge requires analyzing spatial constraints where components can glide across empty spaces but are blocked by neighboring obstacles. This puzzle evaluates your ability to reason about relative ordering, pointer manipulation, and invariant conditions in linear arrays. Unlock the full problem details and a robust model solution by securing a subscription.
GreedySimulationStringMaximum Time
2/5Fill the blanked-out digits of a clock reading so the resulting time is the latest one possible. Asked at Google, this is a greedy question with coupled choices: the first hour digit limits what the second can be, so the two cannot be decided independently. You will enumerate the few hour cases explicitly, maximise the minutes separately, and keep every output within a valid day. A subscription unlocks the complete problem and the reference solution.
StringGreedyImplementationShortest Path with a Mandatory Waypoint
4/5Master graph traversal techniques by tackling this frequently reported Google interview question, which challenges candidates to compute the shortest route through a network while ensuring a mandatory stop at a specified intermediate checkpoint. This problem evaluates your proficiency with advanced pathfinding algorithms, distance metrics, and graph optimization strategies under routing constraints. To successfully navigate network topologies with mandatory nodes, developers must combine classic search heuristics efficiently. Access to the complete problem breakdown, algorithmic strategy, and optimal model solution requires a subscription.
GraphDijkstraShortest PathImplement deleteDirectory in a Virtual File System
3/5This Google interview question places you inside a simulated directory architecture where you must manage hierarchical nodes and recursive cleanups. You are tasked with implementing directory removal logic that safely dismantles nested folders and eliminates all enclosed files without leaving orphan references. The problem evaluates your familiarity with tree-like structures, recursive traversal patterns, and memory management concepts in virtualized environments. Discover the complete problem statement and professional solution code with a subscription.
DesignRecursionFile SystemActivate Features with Prerequisites
3/5Examine this dependency resolution problem reported during Google technical interviews. Given a set of functionalities governed by strict prerequisite rules, your task is to compute a valid activation sequence or identify if circular dependencies make execution impossible. This question evaluates your understanding of directed acyclic graphs, topological sorting algorithms, and cycle detection techniques in real-world dependency trees. Strengthening your graph traversal skills is crucial for clearing top-tier software engineering loops. Unlock the complete problem context, optimal algorithmic strategy, and detailed reference code by purchasing a subscription.
GraphTopological SortDFSDetonate Bombs with Chain Reactions
4/5This graph traversal challenge, frequently featured in Google interview loops, asks you to determine the maximum number of explosive devices you can detonate through cascading chain reactions starting from a single initial choice. Each device features a unique coordinate and blast radius that can trigger neighboring ordnance within range. The puzzle evaluates your graph modeling skills, breadth-first or depth-first search strategies, and geometric distance calculations. Access to the comprehensive problem statement, performance constraints, and complete model solution requires an active subscription.
GraphDFSGeometryMinimum Distance Between People and Cakes
3/5Report the smallest gap between any person and any cake when both sets of positions arrive already sorted. This Google question explicitly asks for a linear solution, which rules out comparing every pair and points at a two-pointer walk that advances whichever side is behind. You will prove that advancing the smaller position cannot skip the best pair, and handle an empty list on either side. The full problem and the reference solution require a subscription.
ArraysTwo PointersGreedyEvery Length-3 Subsequence Has a Valid Permutation
3/5Investigate string combinatorics with this intricate Google interview question that examines the properties of subsequences against a predefined dictionary of valid words. You will need to evaluate whether every possible length-3 subsequence of a given text can be permuted to form a recognized vocabulary term. This task tests your combinatorial reasoning, pattern matching, and dictionary lookup strategies under complex constraints. Get full access to the complete problem description and model solution with a paid subscription.
CombinatoricsStringSubsequenceRange Updates Using a Difference Array
3/5Frequently featured in technical interviews at Google, this algorithmic challenge centers on efficiently processing numerous range-increment queries on a linear sequence without incurring massive nested loop overhead. The core task is to compute the final state of the collection after applying all requested interval modifications simultaneously. Solving this gracefully relies on a clever prefix-sum technique that defers expensive updates until the final evaluation phase. Review the complete problem statement, complexity analysis, and verified model solution by acquiring a subscription.
ArrayPrefix SumDifference ArrayScore Points
2/5Score a row of cells where occupied cells pay their own value and every adjacent occupied pair pays a bonus. This Google question is a single scan once you see that the pair bonus can be charged when the second of the pair is reached, which removes any need to look ahead. You will accumulate both components together, keep the adjacency test local, and handle a board with no occupied cells. A subscription unlocks the full problem and the reference solution.
ArrayStringGreedySubtract Two Numeric Strings (Big Integer Subtraction)
3/5In this algorithmic challenge reported from a Google interview, you must implement custom arithmetic subtraction for extremely large numbers represented as text strings that exceed standard primitive limits. The task tests your mastery of manual digit-by-digit computation, carry and borrow tracking, and sign management. You will also need to handle formatting nuances such as removing redundant leading zeros safely. Unlock the complete problem specification and optimal reference solution by getting a subscription.
Big IntegerMathSimulationShortest Directed Cycle Through a Node
3/5This Google interview question challenges candidates to find the shortest loop that originates and terminates at a specific vertex within a directed network. The exercise evaluates graph traversal proficiency, specifically testing your ability to adapt search algorithms to detect circular paths efficiently while managing cases where no such loop exists. The complete problem description and model solution require a subscription.
GraphBFSSerialize and Deserialize List of Strings
3/5Write a pair of routines that pack a list of arbitrary strings into one string and recover the original list exactly. Asked at Google, this is a framing problem rather than a string problem: any separator you pick can appear inside the data, so the encoding has to carry lengths or escape characters. You will choose a scheme, argue that it is unambiguous for every possible input, and handle empty strings and an empty list. A subscription unlocks the full problem and the model solution.
StringEncodingParsingImplement Binary Search
1/5This foundational coding exercise, frequently featured in Google interviews, tests your ability to efficiently locate a specific value within an ordered collection of numbers. You are tasked with writing a streamlined search algorithm that operates in logarithmic time, returning the correct index or a designated fallback value if the element is absent. It is a classic test of pointer manipulation, boundary conditions, and basic algorithmic efficiency. Unlocking the complete problem details, edge cases, and optimal code implementation requires a subscription.
ArrayBinary SearchTwo PointerRotate an n x m Matrix 90 Degrees Clockwise
2/5Frequently encountered in Google technical screens, this exercise requires you to take a rectangular grid of arbitrary dimensions and transform its orientation by turning it a quarter-turn clockwise. It tests multidimensional array indexing and spatial awareness without relying on square matrix constraints. To read the full problem description and explore the model solution, subscribe today.
ArrayMatrixSimulationEarliest Time When Everyone Becomes Connected
4/5This frequently reported Google coding interview question challenges you to determine the exact moment a group of individuals becomes fully linked through a chronological sequence of pairwise interactions. To solve this efficiently, candidates typically employ disjoint-set data structures to track component merging in near-constant time. You will need to process relationship logs sequentially and identify when all separate entities consolidate into a single network. The complete problem statement, optimal algorithmic approach, and clean source code require a subscription to access.
Union FindGraphSortingRelative Sort (Google Singapore)
3/5Count the fewest position-wise exchanges between two arrays that leave both of them strictly increasing. Asked at Google, this is a dynamic-programming walk along the positions where each step remembers only whether the previous position was swapped. You will test both options against both predecessors, detect the arrangements that cannot be fixed at all, and keep the state to two numbers. Subscribers get the full problem and the model solution.
ArrayDynamic ProgrammingGreedyMax Coins with Tokens Moving Along a Line
3/5Tackle this engaging pathfinding puzzle frequently reported in technical interviews at Google, where a moving agent collects valuable items along a constrained corridor. The challenge evaluates your understanding of linear traversal, boundary limitations, and obstruction handling to maximize resource acquisition before getting blocked. The complete problem description, detailed test cases, and reference solution require a subscription.
ArrayDynamic ProgrammingGreedyFind Timed-Out Activities
2/5This Google interview question asks you to evaluate a continuous stream of timestamped actions to identify which entities have exceeded an inactivity threshold. It tests your proficiency in managing state and tracking temporal gaps efficiently in dynamic datasets. Unlock the full problem description and complete solution with a paid subscription.
ArrayHash MapSimulationJump Game with Profit
3/5This intriguing Google interview question challenges you to maximize your accumulated earnings while traversing an array by deciding whether to claim specific bonuses at each index or bypass them for alternative paths. It effectively evaluates your ability to combine greedy choices with dynamic programming strategies to optimize sequential decisions. You will need to carefully reason about backward propagation to compute the optimal outcome. To explore the complete problem statement, constraints, and a fully explained model solution, a subscription is required.
ArrayDynamic ProgrammingDivide Tree Nodes
3/5Split the nodes of a tree into as few groups as possible with no two neighbours sharing a group, then reason about the pair values inside those groups. Asked at Google, the first half has a clean answer because a tree is two-colourable, so two groups always suffice unless the tree is a single node. You will prove the colouring bound, then handle the value-based objective the follow-up adds on top. Subscribers get the complete problem and the model solution.
TreeGraphDynamic ProgrammingDesign Bookshelf Class
3/5Design a shelf that holds books in order and supports adding, removing, and relocating a title to a chosen position. Asked at Google, this is an interface-design question where the specification deliberately says that absent titles are ignored rather than raising. You will choose the backing structure with the operation costs in mind, define what an out-of-range position does, and decide whether duplicate titles are allowed. Subscribers get the complete problem and the reference class.
DesignOOPArrayStack Problem (details unspecified)
2/5Sharpen your algorithmic thinking with this targeted stack-based programming puzzle reported during technical interviews at Google. This problem assesses your fundamental ability to manipulate linear data structures, manage last-in-first-out ordering constraints, and solve efficient traversal challenges under strict time and memory limits. It serves as a great practice exercise for strengthening core data structure manipulation skills needed at top-tier tech companies. The full problem and model solution require a subscription.
StackData StructuresReachability Under Distance Threshold on Implicit Grid
4/5Presented in Google technical interviews, this graph theory problem asks you to determine if a path exists between two spatial coordinates within an implicit network formed by distance thresholds. Instead of working with explicitly provided edges, you must dynamically evaluate spatial proximity while navigating from a starting point to a destination. The challenge evaluates your proficiency with graph search algorithms and spatial indexing techniques. Explore the complete problem details and algorithmic solution by purchasing a subscription.
BFSGeometryImplicit GraphChunking with an Unsplittable Header
3/5Split a payload plus an indivisible header into as few transmission chunks as possible under a size cap. This Google question has a short greedy answer and one genuine impossibility case: a header larger than the cap can never be sent. You will decide whether the header shares its chunk with payload bytes, fill the remaining chunks to the cap, and report the optimum split rather than just its size. The full problem and the reference solution require a subscription.
ArrayGreedyIntervalsConsolidate Overlapping On-Call Rotations
3/5Solve a practical timeline consolidation puzzle featured in Google technical evaluations that tests your ability to merge and partition overlapping interval data. The goal is to scan a collection of staffing schedules and transform them into contiguous blocks representing exact periods where the active roster remains constant. This challenge assesses your mastery of sorting techniques and sweep-line algorithms over chronological events. Gain access to the full problem description and expert solution guidelines with a subscription.
ArrayIntervalsSortingReachability with Flight Schedule Constraints
4/5This Google interview question tests your ability to navigate complex network graphs with temporal constraints. You will need to determine whether a valid journey between two locations is possible given a series of scheduled transit legs and strict transfer timing rules. The problem evaluates your proficiency in pathfinding algorithms and handling state-dependent transitions efficiently. To access the complete problem description, comprehensive analysis, and verified model solution, a paid subscription is required.
GraphBFSTime ConstraintsConvert Snake Case to camelCase
2/5Rewrite an underscore-separated identifier in the capitalised style, leaving the first word alone. This Google warm-up is specified tightly enough that the guards fall away: no leading or trailing separators, and none repeated. You will split once, capitalise each later word, and discuss what you would add if those guarantees were removed. Subscribers can read the complete problem and the reference solution.
StringParsingImplementationExpression Add Operators to Reach Target
4/5Featured frequently in Google coding assessments, this algorithmic puzzle challenges you to insert mathematical operations between sequential digits to match a desired numerical target. Success requires navigating recursive state spaces and managing operator precedence constraints without violating formatting rules. Gain full access to the comprehensive solution and step-by-step code walkthrough with a subscription.
BacktrackingDFSRecursionCount Connected Building Components in a City Grid
3/5Prepare for technical evaluations with this classic graph traversal problem frequently featured in Google interviews. You are tasked with analyzing a two-dimensional layout to identify and tally distinct clusters of adjacent elements based on directional connectivity rules. This challenge evaluates your proficiency in depth-first search, breadth-first search, or disjoint-set data structures for connected component analysis. Discover the complete problem description and an optimized model solution by upgrading to a paid subscription.
GraphDFSBFSDepth-First Search on a Colored Graph
2/5Graph traversal techniques are put to the test in this Google interview challenge, which explores custom depth-first search implementations on node-colored networks. Developers must build an algorithm that traverses interconnected elements while adhering strictly to specific state-transition colors and simultaneously identifying circular paths. This problem evaluates graph theory proficiency, recursion management, and the ability to track node states dynamically during traversal. Unlocking the full problem description and comprehensive model solution requires a subscription.
GraphDFSTraversalCount Four-Digit Codes with Sum S
3/5Count the four-digit codes whose digits add up to a given total, including codes with leading zeros. Asked at Google, this has three good answers worth comparing: nested loops over three digits, a counting recurrence over digit positions, and inclusion-exclusion on the stars-and-bars formula. You will handle totals at both extremes, avoid double counting, and explain why leading zeros are part of the count here. Subscribers can read the full problem and the model solution.
CombinatoricsDynamic ProgrammingMathSubarray Sum Equals K (Streaming Follow-up)
3/5Calculate the frequency of continuous segments within a numerical sequence that achieve a designated aggregate value, with an advanced streaming twist where inputs arrive dynamically. Frequently asked during engineering interviews at Google, this problem challenges your proficiency with prefix sums and hash-based frequency tracking in real-time data environments. Explore the full problem statement, algorithmic deep dive, and reference solution by upgrading to a paid subscription.
ArrayHash MapPrefix SumTime to Type a String
2/5Work out how long it takes to type a word on a one-row keyboard where moving between keys costs the distance between them. This Google warm-up is a lookup problem: building a character-to-position table once turns the whole calculation into one pass over the word. You will start the finger at the first position, accumulate absolute differences, and handle repeated characters that cost nothing to retype. Subscribers can read the full problem and the reference solution.
StringArraySimulationMax Subset of Two-Digit Numbers With No Shared Digit
4/5This Google coding interview question asks you to find the largest possible collection of two-digit numbers where no two selected elements share any common digits. The problem evaluates your combinatorial reasoning, graph modeling, or backtracking skills to efficiently filter and maximize valid subsets from a pool of numeric choices. Unlock the comprehensive problem description and optimal algorithmic solution by subscribing today.
BitmaskDynamic ProgrammingGreedyIntersection of Two Family Chains
2/5Reported as a Google interview question, this scenario explores genealogical data where every individual maintains a direct pointer to their antecedent. Given two separate starting members, your task is to pinpoint the exact point where their lineage paths converge toward the root origin. This problem evaluates your graph traversal capabilities, pointer manipulation techniques, and your ability to reason about hierarchical relationships. Gain access to the full problem text, test suites, and expert-written solution by purchasing a subscription.
Linked ListTreesTwo PointerIn-Place Array Modification (details unspecified)
2/5This Google interview question focuses on optimizing memory usage while transforming data structures directly within strict spatial constraints. Candidates are evaluated on their ability to manipulate arrays without allocating auxiliary memory, requiring a deep understanding of pointer manipulation and algorithmic efficiency. The exercise tests your capacity to handle edge cases while maintaining constant auxiliary space complexity. Gain access to the full problem statement and expert solution by purchasing a subscription.
ArrayIn PlaceTwo PointerGroup Strings with the Same Shift Pattern
3/5Discover how to tackle this classic text transformation problem frequently encountered in technical screenings at Google. This challenge evaluates your ability to normalize sequential patterns and efficiently partition data collections using custom hash signatures. You will explore how to identify relative character offsets and group related elements without relying on brute force comparisons. Uncover the optimal algorithmic strategy and master string manipulation techniques to clear this hurdle efficiently. Access the complete problem breakdown and fully tested model solution by acquiring a subscription.
StringHashingGroupingMorse Code Decoding — Count All Decodings
4/5Tackle an advanced combinatorial puzzle involving ambiguous translations of continuous dot-and-dash signals into valid alphabetic sequences, featured in technical rounds at Google. This problem assesses your proficiency in dynamic programming, recursive parsing, and string manipulation when handling inputs lacking explicit separators. You will learn to count all possible valid segmentations efficiently. The full problem statement, complexity analysis, and clean model solution require an active subscription.
CombinatoricsDynamic ProgrammingStringSliding Window with Exclusions
3/5Slide a fixed-size window across an array and report, for each position, the average of what remains after discarding the largest few values. This Google question is a two-structure problem: you need the window's top values separated from the rest, and both sides have to be maintained as elements enter and leave. You will choose between paired heaps with lazy deletion and a balanced multiset, keep the discarded count exact, and handle windows larger than the array. A subscription unlocks the complete problem and the model solution.
Sliding WindowArrayHeap
Recent Google interview experiences
Full loops shared by candidates, every round included.
Google L5 phone — implement array-splitting with Java CompletableFuture (no verdict)
A single Google L5 coding phone screen that leaned far more on Java async plumbing than on the algorithm itself — I walked out unsure and never got a clear verdict. Posting the setup, because a lot of people found the format surprisingly brutal for a phone round.
Google onsite — the "piano finger movements" sliding-window problem
Onsite coding round and I didn't fully close out the follow-up, so I'm a bit in limbo. Trying to gauge whether my rubric is survivable: I think I'm sitting around 2 hire + 1 lean-hire + 1 hire/strong-hire.
Google behavioral round — old-school "tell me a time," ended early
The BQ round with a veteran interviewer (IIT, 10+ years at Google), 3-4 "tell me about a time" questions, and it wrapped early. I'm nervous this is my weak link because the coding felt solid. Comments were reassuring — people say BQ rounds rarely sink candidates.
Google intern VO — two coding rounds straight, no SD
Intern virtual onsite: two coding rounds back to back, coding only. Someone asked what "back to back" implied — it just means two straight hours with no special meaning, no SD round.
Google coding interview FAQ
- What coding questions does Google ask?
- 106 reported coding questions, most often on Array, Greedy, String, Simulation, Graph.
- How hard is the Google coding interview?
- The reported coding questions average 3.0 out of 5: 1 at 1/5, 14 at 2/5, 71 at 3/5, 20 at 4/5.
- Are these Google coding questions recent?
- The most recent report is from October 2026, and 49 were reported within the last twelve months. Dates come from the interview reports themselves.