How to get sub-30 on 3×3
A data-driven roadmap to a sub-30 AO12. Concrete AO12/AO100 targets, the TPS and fundamentals you need, and the drills that close the gap.
Your sub-30 numbers at a glance
Prerequisites
Before sub-30 is realistic, lock these down:
- ✓Solid CFOP method understanding (cross → F2L → OLL → PLL).
- ✓All 21 PLLs learned, even if slow.
- ✓At least the 2-look OLL set (10 algorithms).
- ✓A reasonable 3×3: a budget magnetic cube like the MoYu RS3M V5, YJ MGC Beta, or YuXin Little Magic is plenty.
The single biggest thing slowing you down
At sub-30 the killer is almost always F2L hesitation: you finish cross, then pause to find a pair. Cutting this dead time in half is worth more than learning any new algorithm.
Drills that move the needle
F2L pair recognition: 50 first-pair drills
Inspect, plan cross + first pair, start the timer. Goal: never pause between cross completion and F2L start. Aim for 50 reps per session.
Slow solves at 50% speed
Do 5 untimed solves per day at half speed with the rule: no pauses. Pauses are where time goes, and solving slow without pauses is faster than fast solving with pauses.
Cross in 8 moves or fewer
Practice cross on color-neutral white. If you find yourself doing 10+ move crosses, you are missing efficient solutions. Use the Sub-X Cross Trainer.
PLL recognition (no execution)
Generate PLL cases, name them out loud, move on. 5 minutes per day shrinks the post-OLL pause significantly.
Track your progress to sub-30
Upload your csTimer session and Sub-X will project exactly how many more solves it takes to reach a sub-30 AO12, with a confidence band.
Start tracking for freeFrequently asked questions
How long does it take to get sub-30?+
For most people learning CFOP fresh, sub-30 takes 50–150 hours of practice spread over 1–3 months. Sub-X tracks your AO100 over time so you can see exactly when you cross the threshold.
Do I need to learn full OLL for sub-30?+
No. 2-look OLL (10 algorithms) is enough. Spend that learning time on F2L lookahead instead.
What cube should I use?+
Any modern magnetic 3×3 under $20 is fine. The MoYu RS3M V5, YJ MGC Beta, or YuXin Little Magic are all popular budget picks. The cube is not what is keeping you above 30 seconds.
How do I track my AO12 and AO100 toward sub-30?+
Export from csTimer (CSV or JSON), upload to Sub-X, and your AO12/AO100 progress is plotted automatically.