Is 1 minute a good time for Rubik‘s cube?
As an avid cuber and gaming enthusiast, I get asked this question a lot by beginners looking to get into speedcubing. And my answer is always an emphatic yes! Solving the Rubik‘s cube in under 1 minute is a massive achievement for anyone just starting out.
Here‘s a breakdown of typical solve times based on skill level:
| Skill Level | Typical Solve Time |
|---|---|
| Beginner | 1-5 minutes |
| Intermediate | 30-60 seconds |
| Advanced | 10-30 seconds |
| Expert | Under 10 seconds |
As you can see, most beginners will be ecstatic to solve the cube in under 5 minutes when they first start out. Getting times below 1 minute puts you well above the curve for a newcomer to the hobby.
What does it take most beginners to break the 1 minute barrier?
Getting under 1 minute requires building finger dexterity and intuition about how the Rubik‘s cube moves. You‘ll need to have the basic beginner‘s method down cold before moving on to more advanced techniques like lookahead and multislotting. Expect it to take about 3 months of practice for at least 30 minutes per day before getting times around 1 minute.
The great news is there are amazing resources out there like online video tutorials and speedcubing forums to help beginners improve quickly. I personally recommend J Perm and SpeedCubeReview on YouTube.
How fast are the world record holders solving the cube?
The current world record for a single solve belongs to China‘s Yusheng Du, with a blistering time of 3.47 seconds! The average solve time for a top level speedcuber in competition is usually around 7-8 seconds. So even times under 10 seconds put you among the absolute elite.
Just for fun, I decided to calculate that at Du‘s record setting pace of 3.47 seconds per solve, he could solve the cube over 1,000 times in just under 1 hour!
What methods do the fastest cubers use?
The most common advanced method used nowadays is CFOP (Cross, F2L, OLL, PLL). CFOP has separate steps for solving the first layer cross, filling in the second layer corners and edges, orienting the last layer, then permuting the last layer. It builds on the classic beginner‘s method most newcomers still learn first.
Other popular advanced methods are Roux, ZZ, and Petrus. Each has advantages and disadvantages in ergonomics which suit different solvers. Ultimately speed comes down to finding the method you connect with best and drilling it relentlessly to polish finger tricks and lookahead.
Should you feel proud for breaking 1 minute as a beginner?
Absolutely! As both an avid gamer and cubing enthusiast myself, I understand the rush of adrenaline when you finally blast through what once seemed an impenetrable barrier. Whether it‘s beating a brutal video game boss or solving the Rubik‘s cube in under a minute, mastering a difficult skill through perseverance brings huge satisfaction.
My advice to any beginner wanting to hit that sub-60 second mark is to set small achievable goals along the way. Shave just 2 seconds off your time each week. Film your solves to analyze where time can be saved. Drill tricky cases slowly until they become muscle memory at speed. With consistent, focused practice over time, suddenly 1 minute will become your new comfort zone!
