How to use it
- Choose the puzzle and scramble it following the scramble, with the white centre on top and the green one in front. The drawing shows how it should look.
- Hold the space bar (on a phone, your finger on the box) until the time turns green, then release it: the timer starts.
- When you finish, press any key or tap the screen. If the cube isn't solved, mark the time as DNF.
When you stop, a new scramble appears. After five solves you'll see your average of 5; after twelve, your average of 12.
Official scrambles, like in competitions
The scrambles are like those of the official program of the WCA (World Cube Association), which organises competitions and recognises the world records. On the 3x3 they aren't random turns: the computer picks one of the 43 quintillion possible positions of the cube at random, all equally likely, and the scramble is a short way to reach it (almost always 18 to 20 moves). That way no scramble is easier than another. The 2x2, Pyraminx and Skewb are scrambled the same way; the 5x5, 6x6, 7x7, Megaminx and Clock, with random turns, as in the WCA. For the 4x4 the WCA also picks a random position, but working it out needs too much memory for a phone, so here it's 40 random turns.
Averages of 5 and 12
In WCA competitions each round is five solves: the best and worst times are dropped and the average of the other three is the result. A DNF (did not finish) counts as the worst time; with two, the average is a DNF. The average of 12 works the same way, also dropping the best and worst times.
15-second inspection
In competitions you have 15 seconds to look at the cube before starting, without turning it. The judge calls out at 8 and 12 seconds. If you start between 15 and 17 seconds, 2 seconds are added (+2); after 17, the attempt doesn't count (DNF). If you turn on the inspection, the timer counts the 15 seconds, beeps at 8 and 12 and applies the penalties for you.
What is a good time?
With our method, your first solves will take a few minutes; with practice you'll get under a minute. Speedcubers use more advanced methods with many more algorithms, and the world record is already under 3 seconds.
Where your times are saved
Your times are saved in your browser, one list per puzzle: they aren't sent anywhere and you don't need to sign up. If you clear your browser data or use another device, they won't be there. With "Copy times" you can keep them wherever you like, with the scramble of each one.
A real timer
Competitions use a timer with two sensors: you put your hands on it and it starts counting when you lift them, just like this one when you release the space bar. If you want to practise like in a competition, you can buy a speedcubing timer.