BFS Time Complexity (Big-O)
Breadth-first search runs in O(V + E) time and O(V) space, exploring a graph layer by layer from a source vertex. It is the canonical algorithm for shortest paths in an unweighted graph.
Open the interactive DevRef Hub tool →Key facts
| Time | O(V + E) |
|---|---|
| Space | O(V) |
| Use | Shortest path (unweighted) |
| Order | Layer by layer |
Frequently asked questions
What is the time complexity of BFS?
O(V + E), where V is vertices and E is edges.
What is BFS used for?
Shortest path in an unweighted graph and level-order traversal.
Related pages
Big-O of BFS is part of DevRef Hub on GOAT Lab — a free reference you can use without signing up, and it works offline. Open the tool above for any custom value.
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