Maze Solver

A web-based interactive maze solver that allows you to create custom mazes and find the shortest path using the Breadth-First Search (BFS) algorithm.

🔗 Live Demo

Algorithm

This maze solver uses Breadth-First Search (BFS), a graph traversal algorithm that explores nodes level by level:

1. Initialization: Start from the starting point and mark it as visited
2. Queue-based traversal: Use a queue to explore cells in order
3. Exploration: For each cell, check all four adjacent neighbors (up, down, left, right)
4. Path tracking: Keep track of each cell's predecessor to reconstruct the path
5. Termination: Stop when the end point is reached or all reachable cells are explored
6. Path reconstruction: Backtrack from the end to the start using the predecessor chain

BFS guarantees finding the shortest path in an unweighted grid, making it ideal for maze solving.

Features

Interactive Maze Design

• Customizable Grid Size: Generate mazes from 5x5 up to 50x50
• Adjustable Cell Size: Change cell dimensions from 5px to 30px for better visibility
• Drawing Modes:
  • Wall (obstacles)
  • Path (walkable cells)
  • Start point (green)
  • End point (red)
• Click & Drag: Draw continuously by holding the mouse button

Editing Tools

• Undo/Redo:
  • Undo button or Ctrl+Z to revert changes
  • Redo button or Ctrl+Y to restore undone changes
  • Tracks up to 1000 edits
• Clear Maze: Reset the entire maze while keeping the border walls

Pathfinding

• BFS Algorithm: Finds the shortest path from start to end
• Visualization Speed: Choose between Fast, Normal, or Slow animation speeds
• Visual Solution: Highlights the solution path with animated progression
• Step Counter: Displays the number of steps in the shortest path
• No Path Detection: Alerts when the maze is unsolvable
• Auto-Reset: Solution clears when editing the maze after solving

Screenshots

Unsolved Maze

A custom maze ready to be solved with start (green) and end (red) points marked

Solved Maze

The shortest path highlighted after running the BFS algorithm

How to Use

1. Set Maze Size: Enter a number between 5-50 and click "Generate Maze" (or press Enter)
2. Adjust Settings (Optional):
   • Change cell size (5-30px) for better visibility
   • Set visualization speed (Fast/Normal/Slow)
3. Design Your Maze:
   • Select a drawing mode (Wall, Path, Start, or End)
   • Click or drag on cells to draw
   • Use Ctrl+Z to undo or Ctrl+Y to redo
4. Place Start & End: Mark exactly one start point and one end point
5. Solve: Click "Solve Maze" to find and animate the shortest path
6. View Results: The solution path will be displayed with the total step count

Quick Start

Simply open index.html in a web browser to start using the maze solver!