Practice Arena

Python Coding Challenges

Write real Python in the browser. Instant feedback. From beginner to expert.

925 challenges 556 easy 323 medium 46 hard
Math & Number Theory easy

Partition function

Write a function that returns the number of ways to write a positive integer as a sum of positive integers (order irrelevant).

math recursion memoization
+12 pts 15m
Dynamic Programming medium

Interleaving string

Given three strings s1, s2, and s3, check if s3 is formed by interleaving s1 and s2 while preserving the order of each input string.

dynamic-programming strings dp
+30 pts 30m
Trees & Binary Trees easy

Binary Tree Inorder Traversal

Implement an inorder traversal function that returns node values in left-root-right order.

binary-tree traversal recursion
+10 pts 15m
Trees & Binary Trees easy

Preorder Traversal

Implement a function that returns the preorder traversal values of a binary tree.

binary-tree traversal recursion
+10 pts 10m
Trees & Binary Trees easy

Postorder Traversal

Implement a function that returns the postorder traversal of a binary tree as a list of node values.

binary-tree traversal recursion
+10 pts 15m
Trees & Binary Trees medium

Vertical Order Traversal

Compute the vertical order traversal of a binary tree, grouping nodes by column and row.

binary-tree bfs dictionary
+20 pts 25m
Trees & Binary Trees medium

Kth Smallest in BST

Implement a function that returns the k-th smallest value in a binary search tree.

bst inorder recursion
+25 pts 25m
Trees & Binary Trees medium

Zigzag Level Order Traversal

Implement a function that returns the zigzag level-order traversal of a binary tree.

binary-tree breadth-first-search queue
+25 pts 25m
Graphs & Graph Algorithms medium

Alien Dictionary Order

Given a sorted list of words in an alien language, derive the order of its unique letters.

graph topological-sort string
+30 pts 30m
Graphs & Graph Algorithms medium

Topological Sort via DFS

Return a deterministic topological ordering of nodes in a directed acyclic graph using DFS, or an empty list if a cycle exists.

topological-sort dfs graph
+20 pts 25m
Graphs & Graph Algorithms medium

Course Schedule Ordering

Determine a valid sequence to complete all courses respecting prerequisite constraints.

graph topological-sort bfs
+30 pts 30m
Recursion & Backtracking medium

Letter Tile Possibilities

Given a string of letter tiles, count the number of distinct non-empty sequences that can be formed using any non-empty subset in any order.

backtracking counting strings
+25 pts 25m
Greedy Algorithms medium

Queue Reconstruction by Height

Given shuffled pairs of (height, number_of_taller_people_in_front), reconstruct the original queue order.

greedy sorting insertion
+25 pts 25m
Binary Search easy

Search Insert Position

Return the index where a target should be inserted into a sorted list to maintain order.

binary-search arrays searching
+10 pts 15m
Binary Search medium

Capacity to Ship Packages

Given package weights and days allowed, compute the smallest ship capacity that can deliver all packages in order within the given days.

binary-search greedy arrays
+30 pts 25m
Binary Search medium

Find k Closest Elements to Target

Return exactly k elements from a sorted list that are closest to a given target, preserving order.

binary-search sorting two-pointers
+20 pts 20m
Stacks & Queues medium

Validate Stack Sequences

Given two sequences of distinct integers, verify whether the second sequence is a valid pop order for a stack given the first sequence as push order.

stack simulation sequences
+20 pts 20m
Stacks & Queues medium

Asteroid Collision

Simulate asteroid collisions with a stack and return the remaining asteroids in original order.

stack simulation arrays
+20 pts 25m
Heaps & Priority Queues medium

Top K Frequent Elements

Given a list of integers and a number k, return the k most frequent elements in descending order of frequency, with ties broken by larger value.

heap frequency counter
+20 pts 25m
Linked Lists easy

Reverse a linked list copy

Return a new list with node values in reverse order without mutating the input.

linked-list lists pointers
+10 pts 12m
Linked Lists medium

Remove duplicate values

Keep first occurrence of each value while preserving order.

linked-list lists pointers
+22 pts 20m
Linked Lists hard

Compare two linked lists

Return True when both lists have identical values in order.

linked-list lists pointers
+35 pts 30m
Matrix & 2D Arrays medium

Spiral Matrix Order

Given a 2D matrix, return all elements in clockwise spiral order starting from the top-left.

matrix spiral traversal
+25 pts 25m
Matrix & 2D Arrays medium

Spiral Matrix Traversal

Implement a function that returns the elements of a 2D matrix in clockwise spiral order.

matrix traversal simulation
+20 pts 25m

Showing 49–72 of 78 challenges

Guide: free Python coding challenges

Practice Python by solving problems

PythonSkillset challenges are hands-on coding exercises from beginner to advanced. Open a challenge, read the problem, write Python in the split-pane editor, and run tests with Pyodide — no install required.

How to use the arena

  1. Pick a category — basics, algorithms, strings, and more
  2. Open a challenge, read the statement, and edit the starter code
  3. Run tests, fix failures, then try a related quiz or tutorial lesson

Challenges vs tutorials and quizzes

Challenges test what you can build under constraints. For guided teaching, use our Python tutorials. For quick checks, try quizzes or copy snippets from code samples.