A system and method is disclosed for determining intervals of a space filling curve in a query box. The method includes the operation of providing a range query-box contained within a data set, wherein the data set has a plurality of elements in N dimensions. A space filling curve is applied to the data set. The space filling curve contacts each of the elements in the N dimensions. The space filling curve is also applied to a range-query box contained within the data set. An entry point of the space filling curve into the query box is determined. A first endpoint box is formed to cover an hquad of the space filling curve at the entry point that includes P×P elements, with a first value of P selected as one. The value of P is increased to expand the endpoint box around a next larger hquad of the space filling curve, until a size of the endpoint box is maximized without exiting the range-query box. The interval of the space filling curve in the endpoint box can then be determined.