A* Search vs Breadth-First Search
Same maze, same speed, first to the exit wins. On this maze A* Search gets there first and turns gold.
The numbers
- A* explored
- 2,417 cells
- A* path
- 301 steps
- BFS explored
- 2,527 cells
- BFS path
- 301 steps
A* Search
A* search explores the cells that look closest to the exit first, while still guaranteeing the shortest path. More on A* Search.
Breadth-First Search
Breadth-First Search explores a maze in rings: every cell one step away, then two, then three, until it reaches the exit. More on Breadth-First Search.
FAQ
Which is faster in a maze, A* Search or Breadth-First Search?
On this maze A* Search reached the exit first, after exploring 2,417 cells to 2,527. On other mazes the result can flip; press New race to try another.
How is the race fair?
Both solvers run on the same maze and explore the same number of cells per frame. Whoever explores fewer cells before reaching the exit finishes first and turns gold.
Which one finds the shorter path?
Both found paths of the same length (301 steps) here.