Odd Even Linked List

Problem

Rearrange a linked list so all nodes at odd positions come before all nodes at even positions (1-indexed). O(1) extra space.

Constraints

• 0 ≤ length ≤ 10⁴

Approach — Two Pointers

This is a Two Pointers problem. The idea: walk two indices through the data together (or toward each other), turning an O(n²) pair search into one linear pass. Work through the reference code below line by line, then re-derive it yourself in the editor — that's how the pattern sticks.

Complexity: O(n) time, O(1) extra space.

Solution code

Python

class Solution:
    def oddEvenList(self, head):
        if not head:
            return head
        odd = head
        even = head.next
        even_head = even
        while even and even.next:
            odd.next = even.next
            odd = odd.next
            even.next = odd.next
            even = even.next
        odd.next = even_head
        return head

Java

class Solution {
    public ListNode oddEvenList(ListNode head) {
        if (head == null) return null;
        ListNode odd = head, even = head.next, evenHead = even;
        while (even != null && even.next != null) {
            odd.next = even.next;
            odd = odd.next;
            even.next = odd.next;
            even = even.next;
        }
        odd.next = evenHead;
        return head;
    }
}

Practice it

Reading a solution isn't the same as being able to write it under pressure. Open this problem in the in-browser editor, hide the solution, and solve it from scratch — your code runs against real test cases instantly.