Drag on a cube face to turn that layer. Drag empty space to orbit the camera.
Keyboard also works: U D L R F B, hold Shift for counter-clockwise.
Want a real cube to practice on?
A physical speed cube makes a great companion to the digital version — smooth turns, no screen required.
A twisty puzzle, reimagined
TwistyCube is a free, browser-based take on the classic Rubik's Cube. Play the default Number mode — solving by getting each face's digits in order — switch to Colour for a traditional feel, or drop into Word mode and set your own custom word across the faces. No download, no install, no account required.
Each cube type changes what you're actually solving for. Number mode uses the digits 1–9 per face and pairs with two different win conditions — see below. Colour mode is the familiar version: six solid colours, one per face, solved the moment every sticker matches its neighbours. Word mode is the odd one out — type any real word up to six letters into the box above the cube, press "Set Word", and the puzzle rebuilds itself around your letters instead of a fixed set of symbols.
New to the cube, or not sure what "Sequential" and "Sudoku" actually mean? The How to Play guide covers controls, modes and win conditions in full. And if you're curious where the puzzle itself came from, there's a short history of the Rubik's Cube for anyone interested in the backstory behind the toy that inspired this game.
Frequently asked questions
Is TwistyCube actually free?
Yes. There's no paywall, no download, and no account needed to play any of the three modes. The site is supported by ads and an affiliate link rather than a subscription.
What's the difference between Sequential and Sudoku mode?
They're the two win conditions, toggled next to the mode tabs. Sequential is the classic rule — every piece has to return to its original spot and orientation. Sudoku is looser: a face just needs to show each digit 1–9 once, in any position. Sudoku only applies to the Number cube.
Can I really type in any word for Word mode?
Any real word up to six letters, checked against a dictionary before it's accepted — that's what the "Set Word" status message under the input box is confirming or rejecting. Made-up strings and names generally won't pass.
Do I need an account to get on the leaderboard?
No. Solve the cube and you can submit a nickname and an optional social handle — that's the entire sign-up process. The leaderboard is filterable by cube type and win condition, so you're only ranked against people who played the same way.
Does TwistyCube work on a phone or tablet?
Yes — turning and orbiting both work with touch drags the same way they work with a mouse. The keyboard shortcuts (U D L R F B) obviously need a physical keyboard, so they're a desktop-only convenience rather than a requirement.
If I close the tab mid-solve, is my progress saved?
No — there are no accounts, so nothing is saved server-side and the cube's state isn't persisted locally either. Submit your score from the solved screen before navigating away, or it's gone.
Where do the Rubik's Cube and this puzzle's rules actually come from?
The mechanism dates back to Ernő Rubik's 1974 prototype in Budapest — the full history of the Rubik's Cube covers how it went from a wooden puzzle to a global speedcubing sport. TwistyCube's Number and Sudoku modes are a variation on that original structure, not a different puzzle.