Rubik's Cube Simulator
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How the 3x3 simulator works
A 3x3 you can turn in 3D, with a scramble, a stopwatch, an algorithm player and links that rebuild any position.
Turn it like the real thing
Drag a layer to turn it, or swipe it on a phone, and drag beside the puzzle to look around. On the cubes, the keys U, R, F, D, L and B turn the outer layers, Shift turns them back and Alt turns two layers at once.
Scramble and solve
Scramble mixes the puzzle with WCA-style random moves. A stopwatch starts on your first turn and stops when it is solved. To time solves on a real puzzle, with Ao5 and Ao12, open the timer.
Apply an algorithm
Type or paste moves in standard notation and watch them play, then step back and forward through them or play them a move at a time. Wide turns and inner slices like Rw, 3Rw and 2R work on the big cubes.
Share the exact position
Copy a link that rebuilds your puzzle: the scramble first, then your moves. Whoever opens it sees the same position, ready to turn.
Simulator guide
How to use the 3D Rubik's Cube simulator
Turn a virtual 3x3 to learn notation, drill an algorithm move by move, or check a position before you try it on your own cube. Everything runs in the browser, with no account.
Turn, scramble and undo
On a phone, swipe a layer to turn it and swipe beside the cube to look around; with a mouse, drag instead, and double-click the background to reset the view. Scramble mixes the cube and arms the stopwatch: it starts on your first turn and stops when the cube is solved.
Scrambles are random moves, not the random states of official competitions, which is fine for practice. With a keyboard, U, R, F, D, L and B turn the outer layers, Shift turns them back and Alt turns two layers at once.
- R: the right face clockwise, as you look at it.
- R': counterclockwise; R2: a half turn.
- Undo takes back the last move; Reset returns to a solved cube.
- What do the letters mean? opens the notation guide.
Apply and step through an algorithm
Paste an algorithm into the Algorithm box and apply it: standard notation works, including slices (M, E, S), wide turns (r, Rw) and rotations (x, y, z). Then go back to the start and step through it one move at a time, saying each move out loud; on a phone, the stepper sits on the cube so you can watch each turn. Play runs it at a steady pace. An applied algorithm is never timed.
A useful drill has three passes: turn slowly while reading the notation, turn from memory and check the final state, then repeat on a real cube. Share copies a link with the scramble and your moves, so you can come back to the same case or send it to someone.
Using the simulator with the beginner method
Treat each scramble as a slow lesson before treating it as a timed solve. Build the cross, finish first-layer corners, solve the middle layer, then orient and permute the last layer one step at a time.
After a solve, look at the move count. A high count is not a failure; it usually shows which step needs focused review. Repeat only that step on the next scramble.
Using the simulator with CFOP
For CFOP practice, separate recognition from turning speed. Use slow solves to inspect cross choices and first F2L pairs, then time solves on your own cube once you know what you are looking for.
When OLL or PLL recognition causes a pause, open the matching library or trainer, review the case, and come back for a few slow repetitions in the simulator.
A short simulator session
- Scramble once and solve slowly, without the clock in mind.
- Choose one focus: cross, F2L, OLL, PLL or a beginner step.
- Apply the algorithm you are learning and step through it.
- Share a position you want to keep.
- Time your next solves on your own cube with the timer.
Frequently asked questions
Is the simulator a real Rubik's Cube?
It is a virtual 3x3 that follows the same moves and notation as a real cube, so anything you do on it you can repeat on yours. It is for learning and checking, not for official times.
How do I practice F2L without a physical cube?
Scramble the virtual cube, solve the cross slowly, then focus only on finding and inserting the first two F2L pairs. Reset or scramble again when that specific drill is done.
Why does the cube view feel different from a real cube?
A screen removes finger feel and physical resistance. Use the simulator to learn notation, planning, and recognition, then reinforce turning rhythm on a real cube when possible.
How do I time my solves?
On the simulator, a stopwatch starts on your first turn after Scramble and stops when the cube is solved. To time solves on a real cube, with inspection, Ao5 and Ao12, use the timer.
Can I share a scramble or a position?
Yes. Share copies a link with the scramble and your moves in the address, so whoever opens it sees the same cube, ready to turn.