If you still think a ten-second solve is the peak of human performance, you’re living in a different decade. The speedcubing world moves fast. Like, blink-and-you-missed-the-entire-solve fast. Right now, the quest to find out what is the world record for solving the rubik's cube leads to a name that might not be on your radar yet unless you follow the World Cube Association (WCA) like a hawk: Xuanyi Geng.
In April 2025, during the Shenyang Spring competition in China, this young phenom did something that seemed physically impossible just a few years ago. He clocked a single solve of 3.05 seconds.
He's seven. Yes, you read that right.
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The Current State of the Rubik’s Cube World Record
For a long time, the community was chasing the legendary 3.13-second mark set by Max Park. Max is a titan of the sport, a guy who basically redefined what "fast" looked like for a generation. But records are made to be broken, and the current 3.05-second record by Xuanyi Geng has the cubing world staring down the barrel of a "sub-3" solve.
We are talking about a human being manipulating a 3x3 puzzle in less time than it takes to sneeze.
But wait, there's a nuance here. In the cubing world, "the record" usually refers to two different things: the Single and the Average of 5. While the single solve gets the headlines and the viral TikTok views, the average is what the pros actually respect. It proves you aren't just lucky with a "scramble" (the way the cube is mixed). It proves you’re a machine.
The Average of 5: Yiheng Wang’s Reign
While Xuanyi holds the lightning-strike single, Yiheng Wang is arguably the most dominant force in the history of the sport right now. As of early 2026, Yiheng holds the world record average with a mind-boggling 3.84 seconds, set just days ago at the Beijing Winter 2026 event.
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Think about that. He didn't just do it once. He did it five times, and the average was under four seconds. To put this in perspective, the "sub-4" barrier was once considered the Four-Minute Mile of cubing. Yiheng has turned it into his backyard.
How Do They Move That Fast?
It isn't just about fast fingers. Honestly, it's about your brain being three steps ahead of your hands. Most elite cubers use the CFOP method. It stands for Cross, F2L (First Two Layers), OLL (Orientation of the Last Layer), and PLL (Permutation of the Last Layer).
- The Cross: They solve four edge pieces on the bottom. Usually takes less than a second.
- F2L: This is where the magic happens. They pair up corner and edge pieces and slot them in simultaneously. It’s all about "lookahead"—watching the next pair while your hands solve the current one.
- The Last Layer: They memorize hundreds of "algorithms" (sequences of moves) to finish the top face in one or two quick bursts.
The hardware matters too. We aren't using the clunky, loud plastic cubes from the 80s anymore. Modern "speedcubes" have magnets inside to help the layers snap into place. They have adjustable tension springs and even "MagLev" technology to reduce friction. If you hand a world-class cuber an original Rubik’s brand cube from a toy store, they’d probably struggle to break ten seconds because the hardware just can't keep up with their "TPS" (turns per second).
Top cubers often hit 10 to 12 turns per second. It sounds like a swarm of angry bees.
Max Park and the Legacy of Greatness
You can't talk about what is the world record for solving the rubik's cube without mentioning Max Park. Before the current wave of young Chinese prodigies took over the 3x3 leaderboards, Max was the undisputed king. He still holds records in almost every other category—4x4, 5x5, 6x6, and 7x7.
His 3.13-second single solve from June 2023 was a "where were you when it happened" moment for the community. Max has been a huge inspiration, particularly because of how he used cubing to manage social and motor skills related to autism. His story, documented in the Netflix film The Speed Cubers, reminds everyone that this is more than just a hobby. It’s a legitimate sport with deep emotional stakes.
Beyond the 3x3: Other Mind-Blowing Records
The 3x3 is the "main event," but the "side events" are getting weirdly fast too.
- One-Handed: Luke Garrett recently pushed the boundaries here, holding a world record average of 7.72 seconds. One hand. Under eight seconds.
- Blindfolded: Charlie Eggins just set a new mark in January 2026 with an 11.67-second single solve. He looks at the cube, memorizes it, puts on a blindfold, and solves it. All in 11 seconds.
- Big Cubes: Max Park still dominates the 7x7, solving that massive beast in about 1 minute and 33 seconds.
Is the Sub-3 Solve Even Possible?
Everyone is asking: when will we see a 2.99?
Statistically, it’s inevitable. The "luck" factor in a single solve comes down to the scramble. Every now and then, a scramble allows for an "X-Cross" (solving the cross and the first F2L pair at once) or a "PLL Skip" (where the last step of the solve is already done). If a cuber like Yiheng Wang or Xuanyi Geng gets a lucky scramble and executes it with their current 12-TPS speed, we will see a sub-3.
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It might happen tomorrow. It might happen in a year. But the physics of the cube and human reaction time suggest we haven't hit the ceiling yet.
How to Start Your Own Record Journey
If you’re looking at these times and feeling discouraged, don't be. Nobody starts at three seconds. Most of these guys spent years just trying to get under a minute.
- Get a real speedcube: Don't use the one you found in your attic. Buy a budget speedcube like a Moyu RS3M. It’ll cost you ten bucks and change your life.
- Learn Layer-by-Layer: Don't jump to CFOP yet. Learn the basic "beginner's method."
- Practice Finger Tricks: Stop turning the cube with your whole hand. Use your index fingers and thumbs to "flick" the layers.
- Track your progress: Use a timer app like CSTimer. Seeing your average drop from 60 seconds to 45 is a rush like no other.
The world of speedcubing is more accessible than ever. Whether you want to know what is the world record for solving the rubik's cube out of pure curiosity or because you want to beat it, the community is open to everyone. Just be prepared to lose a few hundred hours of your life to the "click-clack" of plastic once you start.
Your Next Steps:
Pick up a modern magnetic speedcube and head over to the World Cube Association website to find a local competition. Even if you solve it in two minutes, the community at these events is incredibly welcoming. You'll learn more in one afternoon of "comping" than you will in a month of solo practice. Start by timing your "cross" solve—aiming for under 5 seconds is a great first milestone for any intermediate solver.