What is a good rank on LeetCode?

A good rank on LeetCode is a subjective measure and can depend on your goals, experience level, and how much effort you’re putting into the platform. In general, if you are in the top 10% to 20% of all users, that’s considered a solid achievement. However, ranks can vary widely based on factors like contest participation, problem-solving frequency, and accuracy.

Let’s break down what is considered a "good" rank on LeetCode and what to focus on if you want to improve your rank.

1. LeetCode Ranking System

LeetCode uses a ranking system based on contest participation and performance. Regular contests, such as the Weekly Contest and Biweekly Contest, play a significant role in determining your ranking. Here’s how the ranking system works:

• Rating: After each contest, LeetCode adjusts your rating based on your performance relative to others. Users who solve problems faster and more accurately earn higher ratings.

• Rank: Your rank is determined by comparing your rating with other users. The higher your rating, the better your rank.

2. General Ranking Benchmarks

a. Top 10% (High Rank)

• What It Means: Being in the top 10% means you're among the top-performing users on LeetCode. This indicates a high level of proficiency in data structures and algorithms and consistent success in solving problems quickly and accurately during contests.

• Achievement Level: If you’re in the top 10%, you likely have a solid foundation in problem-solving and algorithmic thinking, and you regularly participate in contests or solve problems on a daily basis. This is considered a very good rank, especially if you're aiming for competitive programming or preparing for interviews at top tech companies.

b. Top 20% to 30% (Good Rank)

• What It Means: Being in the top 20% to 30% shows that you’re performing well above average. You’re consistently solving Medium and even Hard problems, and you’re actively working on improving your skills. You might not always be among the fastest or most accurate coders in contests, but you’re making steady progress.

• Achievement Level: This is a good rank and shows that you’ve developed solid problem-solving abilities. Many people in this range are actively preparing for technical interviews or honing their competitive programming skills.

c. Top 50% (Average Rank)

• What It Means: Being in the top 50% means you're doing reasonably well, but there’s still room for improvement. You’re likely solving Easy and Medium problems but may struggle with Hard problems or contest speed. You might participate in contests occasionally but are not consistently optimizing your solutions.

• Achievement Level: While this is an average rank, it’s still a great place to be for anyone who’s learning or preparing for interviews. With continued practice and contest participation, you can improve your rank.

d. Below 50% (Needs Improvement)

• What It Means: If you’re below the top 50%, this may indicate that you’re either new to LeetCode or are still building your algorithmic problem-solving skills. You might be focusing on Easy problems or struggling with more complex problems.

• Achievement Level: Being in this range is fine for beginners or those just starting with algorithmic challenges. With consistent practice and participation in contests, you’ll see improvements in both your rank and coding skills.

3. Factors That Affect LeetCode Rank

a. Contest Participation

• Frequent Participation: Regularly participating in LeetCode contests is one of the best ways to improve your rank. The more contests you take part in, the more chances you have to boost your rating. Contests also simulate real interview pressure, improving your ability to solve problems quickly.

• Consistent Performance: To maintain or improve your rank, you need to perform consistently well in contests. Solving problems quickly and accurately gives you a higher score, while slower or incorrect solutions can lower your rating.

b. Problem-Solving Frequency

• Daily Problem Solving: LeetCode ranks are influenced by how frequently you solve problems outside of contests as well. Users who regularly practice a mix of Easy, Medium, and Hard problems tend to improve their skills, which is reflected in contest performance and rankings.

• Solving Harder Problems: To achieve a higher rank, you need to challenge yourself with Medium and Hard problems. These problems test your ability to think algorithmically and optimize solutions, which is critical in both contests and interviews.

c. Speed and Accuracy

• Speed of Problem Solving: In LeetCode contests, speed is essential. Being able to solve problems quickly will significantly boost your ranking, as faster solutions earn more points.

• Accuracy: Correct submissions are equally important. Submitting solutions that pass all test cases without errors ensures that you maintain or improve your rating.

4. How to Achieve a Good Rank on LeetCode

a. Participate in Weekly and Biweekly Contests

• Regular Participation: Participate in every contest to maximize your chances of improving your rank. Even if you don’t always perform well, the experience will help you improve over time.

• Learn from Mistakes: After each contest, review the problems and solutions, especially those you couldn’t solve during the contest. Understanding where you went wrong will help you avoid similar mistakes in the future.

b. Focus on Problem-Solving Efficiency

• Time and Space Optimization: Focus on writing code that is both time and space-efficient. Many top-ranked users are able to quickly identify optimal solutions to problems, which comes with practice and studying efficient algorithms.

• Practice Medium and Hard Problems: To improve your algorithmic thinking and contest performance, practice solving Medium and Hard problems. These problems typically represent the kinds of challenges you’ll face in coding interviews and contests.

c. Learn from the Community

• LeetCode Discuss: Engage with the LeetCode Discuss community to learn new approaches and problem-solving techniques. You’ll find explanations, optimizations, and different perspectives on solving the same problem, which can help you become a more well-rounded coder.

d. Consistent Practice

• Daily Practice: Solving problems daily helps you retain your skills and sharpen your problem-solving abilities. Use a mix of Easy, Medium, and Hard problems to challenge yourself and ensure continuous improvement.

5. Should You Focus on LeetCode Rank?

a. Depends on Your Goals

• If Preparing for Interviews: If your goal is to prepare for coding interviews, ranking on LeetCode should not be your primary focus. Instead, focus on understanding the concepts behind problems, improving your problem-solving skills, and becoming comfortable with a wide range of algorithms and data structures.

• If You Enjoy Competitive Programming: If you enjoy competitive programming or are aiming to rank highly on LeetCode’s leaderboards, focusing on your rank can be motivating. Improving your contest speed, accuracy, and ranking can help you develop a competitive edge.

b. Focus on Learning and Improvement

• Learning Comes First: Your ranking is just a reflection of your contest performance and problem-solving frequency. The main goal should always be to improve your skills, learn from your mistakes, and become more proficient in algorithms and coding.

• Don’t Get Discouraged by Low Ranks: If you don’t have a high rank, don’t let that discourage you. Many top-ranked users have years of experience in coding and competitive programming. Consistent practice will help you improve over time.

Conclusion: What is a Good Rank on LeetCode?

A good rank on LeetCode is typically considered to be in the top 10% to 20%, but what’s “good” really depends on your personal goals. If you're focusing on interview preparation, don't worry too much about rank and instead concentrate on building your skills by solving a variety of problems. If you're targeting competitive programming, regular contest participation and problem-solving can help you achieve a higher rank over time.

The most important thing is to stay consistent, keep learning, and enjoy the process of improving your coding skills.