Rubik's Cube Timer
How the Rubik's Cube timer works
A speedcubing timer for the puzzle in your hands: a fresh WCA-style scramble, hold and release to start, tap to stop, optional 15-second inspection, and your best single, Ao5 and Ao12 for each puzzle. It is for learning and self-checking, not for official WCA results.
Every WCA twisty puzzle
Pick 2x2 to 7x7, Pyraminx, Skewb or Megaminx. Each gets scrambles in its own WCA notation, from the same scramblers as the 3D simulator, and a session of its own.
WCA inspection and penalties
Turn on inspection in the settings for a 15-second countdown before each solve; starting late adds +2, or DNF after 17 seconds. Mark any solve +2 or DNF, or delete it, from your list of times.
Your times stay on this device
Each puzzle's session is saved in this browser until you clear it, and Export CSV downloads it as a spreadsheet. No account, nothing uploaded. Times from the old practice timer are in the 3x3 session.
Timer guide
How to use a cube timer to get faster
A timer tells you how fast you are; a session tells you whether you are improving. Time solves in sets, read your Ao5 and Ao12 rather than single times, and change one thing at a time.
Start, stop and inspect
Scramble your puzzle with the scramble on screen, holding it the WCA way: white on top and green in front for the cubes. Then hold the timer, or Space, until the time turns green, and let go to start; tap the timer or press Space again the moment the puzzle is solved.
To inspect first, as in a competition, turn on inspection in the settings. A tap then starts a 15-second countdown, and you start the solve the same way: hold until green, then let go. Starting after 15 seconds adds +2; after 17 seconds the solve is a DNF.
- Hold until green, then release: start.
- Tap or Space: stop.
- Escape or Cancel inspection: abandon the hold or the inspection.
- +2 or DNF under the time changes the last solve; the menu beside any time in the list changes or deletes it.
Best single, Ao5 and Ao12
Ao5 is the average of your last five solves without the best and the worst, the format of most WCA events. Ao12 does the same over twelve solves, so one lucky or unlucky solve moves it less.
Watch the averages more than the best single. A new best single is often a lucky scramble; an Ao12 that drops week after week is real progress. One DNF is dropped as the worst solve; two DNFs make the average DNF.
Scrambles for every puzzle
Each puzzle gets a random-move scramble in its WCA notation: 11 moves on the 2x2, 25 on the 3x3 and up to 100 on the 7x7. Pyraminx scrambles end with the tips, and Megaminx scrambles use R++ and D++ in seven lines.
They are random-move scrambles, not the random-state scrambles of official competitions, which is fine for practice. The same scramblers drive the 3D simulator.
Using the timer to improve
Time solves in short sets of five or twelve and look at the average, not the fastest single. If one step keeps causing long pauses, stop timing and drill that step slowly.
For beginners, track one target at a time: finish without resets, reduce pauses, then improve time. Changing every target at once makes it harder to know what actually improved.
A simple timing session
- Warm up with one untimed solve.
- Time a set of five solves and read the Ao5.
- Write down the step that caused the longest pause.
- Drill that step slowly, in the 3D simulator or on your cube.
- Finish with a set of twelve and compare the Ao12 with last time.
Frequently asked questions
Are these times official?
No. The timer is for practice and self-review. Official speedcubing results come only from WCA competitions, with approved equipment, judges and the current WCA regulations.
Should I time every solve?
Not at first. Untimed solves help you build clean habits. Add timing after you can finish the method consistently and know which step you want to improve.
Where are my times saved?
In this browser, on this device: each puzzle keeps its own session until you clear it, and Export CSV downloads it as a spreadsheet. Nothing is uploaded, so another browser or device starts empty. Solves from the old practice timer moved into the 3x3 session.
How does inspection work?
Turn on inspection in the timer's settings. Then a tap starts a 15-second countdown; hold the timer, or Space, until it turns green and let go to start the solve. Starting between 15 and 17 seconds adds +2, and later than that the solve counts as a DNF, as in the WCA regulations.
What is a good beginner practice routine?
Do five slow solves, write down the hardest step, spend ten minutes drilling that step, then finish with one relaxed timed solve. Consistency matters more than a single fast time.