Welcome to Cubing Help & Questions. Ask anything here about learning to solve, getting faster, methods, hardware or competing. Nobody minds a beginner question; most of the people answering asked the same ones once. A few minutes with this post will get you a better answer, faster.
1. How to ask so you get a good answer
Put these four things in your post:
2. Beginner FAQ
I can't solve the cube yet. Where do I start?
With the layer-by-layer method on our wiki, or any video tutorial that teaches layer by layer. Expect a few hours spread over a few days. Once you can solve it without looking, come back here with your questions.
Which cube should I buy?
See Which cube should I get? (kept up to date). Any modern magnetic 3x3 from a cubing shop is a fine first cube; the resources page lists shops by region.
Which method should I learn to get fast?
Most fast solvers use CFOP. Roux and ZZ are just as capable. Pick one and stay with it; all three reach sub-10 seconds. The wiki has a list of methods if you are curious.
How do I get faster?
Time your solves, learn a few algorithms at a time, and practise looking ahead to the next piece while you turn. Introduction to speedcubing and Road to sub-15 on the wiki cover the whole path. Start your own thread in Cubing Progression to log your times and goals; people there will give you specific advice.
What do R U R' U' and the other letters mean?
Notation on the wiki.
Which timer?
Our built-in timer works on phones and desktops and saves your sessions to your account. csTimer is the other standard.
How do I compete?
The weekly competition runs every week, online, free, in every WCA event and more; here is how to enter. For in-person events see the WCA competition list.
3. Where things go
4. Puzzle and method discussion threads
These long-running threads used to be pinned at the top of this forum. They are the place for ongoing discussion of one puzzle or method:
1. How to ask so you get a good answer
Put these four things in your post:
- Puzzle and method, for example "3x3, beginner layer by layer" or "3x3, CFOP with 2-look OLL and PLL".
- Where you are: your current average, or "can't solve it yet", and roughly how long you have been cubing.
- The exact problem: which step, which case. A photo of the cube, or a short video of a solve, helps more than anything else.
- What you already tried.
2. Beginner FAQ
I can't solve the cube yet. Where do I start?
With the layer-by-layer method on our wiki, or any video tutorial that teaches layer by layer. Expect a few hours spread over a few days. Once you can solve it without looking, come back here with your questions.
Which cube should I buy?
See Which cube should I get? (kept up to date). Any modern magnetic 3x3 from a cubing shop is a fine first cube; the resources page lists shops by region.
Which method should I learn to get fast?
Most fast solvers use CFOP. Roux and ZZ are just as capable. Pick one and stay with it; all three reach sub-10 seconds. The wiki has a list of methods if you are curious.
How do I get faster?
Time your solves, learn a few algorithms at a time, and practise looking ahead to the next piece while you turn. Introduction to speedcubing and Road to sub-15 on the wiki cover the whole path. Start your own thread in Cubing Progression to log your times and goals; people there will give you specific advice.
What do R U R' U' and the other letters mean?
Notation on the wiki.
Which timer?
Our built-in timer works on phones and desktops and saves your sessions to your account. csTimer is the other standard.
How do I compete?
The weekly competition runs every week, online, free, in every WCA event and more; here is how to enter. For in-person events see the WCA competition list.
3. Where things go
- Hardware, lubing, tensioning, which cube: Hardware Area
- Blindfolded solving: Blindsolving Discussion
- Your own progress log: Cubing Progression
- Buying and selling: Buy, Sell, Trade
- Say hello first: Member Introductions
4. Puzzle and method discussion threads
These long-running threads used to be pinned at the top of this forum. They are the place for ongoing discussion of one puzzle or method:
