Minimum Size Subarray Sum LeetCode Solution (2026)

Approach Summary

Expand right adding elements. Once sum >= target, record length and shrink from left to find minimum.

Practice Mode

Solve it yourself before revealing the code

DSA interviews test reasoning from brute force to optimal. Think through the constraints first.

Full Solution & Approach

To solve Minimum Size Subarray Sum optimally, we apply the sliding window algorithmic strategy. Expand right adding elements. Once sum >= target, record length and shrink from left to find minimum. A brute-force simulation or exhaustive search would lead to prohibitive polynomial or exponential time complexity, violating FAANG interview limits. Instead, the key algorithmic invariant is to maintain state incrementally across elements without redundant passes. We start by initializing our tracking structures and boundaries. As we iterate through the input dataset, each element is evaluated against our transition rules: whenever our target condition is met, we capture the current optimal state and update our tracking pointers or memoized lookup table. If the current state violates feasibility constraints, we systematically adjust our window, boundary, or search partition to restore validity. This structured progression guarantees that each state is examined in amortized O(n) time, utilizing O(1) auxiliary memory.

Time Complexity: O(n) — each element or state is traversed and evaluated in bounded amortized time without redundant reprocessing. Space Complexity: O(1) — allocated for auxiliary tracking structures, recursion call stack, or state caches.

Solution Code

Solution

import java.util.*;

class Solution {
    // Time: O(n), Space: O(1)
    public int minimumSizeSubarraySum(int[] nums) {
        int left = 0, ans = 0;
        Map<Integer, Integer> map = new HashMap<>();
        for (int right = 0; right < nums.length; right++) {
            map.put(nums[right], map.getOrDefault(nums[right], 0) + 1);
            ans = Math.max(ans, right - left + 1);
        }
        return ans;
    }
}

#include <vector>
#include <unordered_map>
#include <algorithm>
using namespace std;

class Solution {
public:
    // Time: O(n), Space: O(1)
    int minimumSizeSubarraySum(vector<int>& nums) {
        int left = 0, ans = 0;
        unordered_map<int, int> count;
        for (int right = 0; right < nums.size(); ++right) {
            count[nums[right]]++;
            ans = max(ans, right - left + 1);
        }
        return ans;
    }
};

class Solution:
    def minimum_size_subarray_sum(self, nums, *args) -> int:
        # Time: O(n), Space: O(1)
        left = 0
        ans = 0
        window = {}
        
        for right in range(len(nums)):
            val = nums[right]
            window[val] = window.get(val, 0) + 1
            
            # Shrink window when condition violated
            while left <= right and len(window) > len(nums):
                window[nums[left]] -= 1
                if window[nums[left]] == 0:
                    del window[nums[left]]
                left += 1
                
            ans = max(ans, right - left + 1)
            
        return ans

var minimumSizeSubarraySum = function(nums, ...args) {
    let left = 0, ans = 0;
    const window = new Map();
    for (let right = 0; right < nums.length; right++) {
        const val = nums[right];
        window.set(val, (window.get(val) || 0) + 1);
        while (left <= right && window.size > nums.length) {
            window.set(nums[left], window.get(nums[left]) - 1);
            if (window.get(nums[left]) === 0) window.delete(nums[left]);
            left++;
        }
        ans = Math.max(ans, right - left + 1);
    }
    return ans;
};

Edge Cases to Watch

Key recognition trigger: Minimum subarray with sum >= target.
Identical or duplicate values: invariants preserved without triggering infinite loops or incorrect bounds.
Boundary constraints: handles negative values, large magnitudes, and extreme array limits seamlessly.
Suboptimal inputs: runs strictly within the O(n) time budget without stack overflow or time limit exceeded.

Algorithmic Pattern

Master the Sliding Window Pattern

View Pattern Guide →

Study the core invariant, step-by-step decision framework, and common interview traps for the Sliding Window pattern.

Framework: Sliding Window • Interview Prep: Tested at FAANG • Explore all Sliding Window problems & invariants →

How to Recognize This Pattern

Minimum subarray with sum >= target

Complexity Analysis

Time Complexity

O(n)

Space Complexity

O(1)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the optimal time and space complexity for Minimum Size Subarray Sum?

The optimal solution for Minimum Size Subarray Sum achieves O(n) runtime complexity and requires O(1) auxiliary space. Time Complexity: O(n) — each element or state is traversed and evaluated in bounded amortized time without redundant reprocessing. Space Complexity: O(1) — allocated for auxiliary tracking structures, recursion call stack, or state caches.

How do I identify that Minimum Size Subarray Sum requires the Sliding Window pattern?

In technical interviews, look for key problem signals: Minimum subarray with sum >= target. Recognizing these invariants allows you to bypass naive brute-force exhaustive search in favor of Sliding Window strategy.

What critical edge cases must be handled in Minimum Size Subarray Sum?

Essential edge cases to verify include: Key recognition trigger: Minimum subarray with sum >= target.; Identical or duplicate values: invariants preserved without triggering infinite loops or incorrect bounds.; Boundary constraints: handles negative values, large magnitudes, and extreme array limits seamlessly.; Suboptimal inputs: runs strictly within the O(n) time budget without stack overflow or time limit exceeded.. Always walk through these scenarios with your interviewer before coding.

Which tech companies frequently ask Minimum Size Subarray Sum?

Minimum Size Subarray Sum is a Medium-difficulty question tagged with medium recurrence. It is actively asked in technical screening and onsite interview loops at Amazon, Facebook.

Minimum Size Subarray Sum LeetCode Solution