Difference between BFS and DFS Last Updated : 01 Nov, 2025 Comments Improve Suggest changes 341 Likes Like Report Breadth-First Search (BFS) and Depth-First Search (DFS) are two fundamental algorithms used for traversing or searching graphs and trees. This article covers the basic difference between Breadth-First Search and Depth-First Search. ParametersBFSDFSStands forBFS stands for Breadth First Search.DFS stands for Depth First Search.Data StructureBFS(Breadth First Search) uses Queue data structure for finding the shortest path.DFS(Depth First Search) uses Stack data structure.DefinitionBFS is a traversal approach in which we first walk through all nodes on the same level before moving on to the next level. DFS is also a traversal approach in which the traverse begins at the root node and proceeds through the nodes as far as possible until we reach the node with no unvisited nearby nodes.Conceptual DifferenceBFS builds the tree level by level.DFS builds the tree sub-tree by sub-tree.Approach usedIt works on the concept of FIFO (First In First Out). It works on the concept of LIFO (Last In First Out).Suitable forBFS is more suitable for searching vertices closer to the given source.DFS is more suitable when there are solutions away from source.ApplicationsBFS is used in various applications such as bipartite graphs, shortest paths, etc. If weight of every edge is same, then BFS gives shortest path from source to every other vertex.DFS is used in various applications such as acyclic graphs and finding strongly connected components etc. There are many applications where both BFS and DFS can be used like Topological Sorting, Cycle Detection, etc.Please also see BFS vs DFS for Binary Tree for the differences for a Binary Tree Traversal. Create Quiz Comment M mks075 Follow 341 Improve M mks075 Follow 341 Improve Article Tags : DSA BFS DFS Explore DSA FundamentalsLogic Building Problems 2 min read Analysis of Algorithms 1 min read Data StructuresArray Data Structure 3 min read String in Data Structure 2 min read Hashing in Data Structure 2 min read Linked List Data Structure 2 min read Stack Data Structure 2 min read Queue Data Structure 2 min read Tree Data Structure 2 min read Graph Data Structure 3 min read Trie Data Structure 15+ min read AlgorithmsSearching Algorithms 2 min read Sorting Algorithms 3 min read Introduction to Recursion 15 min read Greedy Algorithms 3 min read Graph Algorithms 3 min read Dynamic Programming or DP 3 min read Bitwise Algorithms 4 min read AdvancedSegment Tree 2 min read Binary Indexed Tree or Fenwick Tree 15 min read Square Root (Sqrt) Decomposition Algorithm 15+ min read Binary Lifting 15+ min read Geometry 2 min read Interview PreparationInterview Corner 3 min read GfG160 3 min read Practice ProblemGeeksforGeeks Practice - Leading Online Coding Platform 1 min read Problem of The Day - Develop the Habit of Coding 5 min read Like