# Pyraminx > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Pyraminx > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Pyraminx.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyraminx > Source revision: 1354771413 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Variant of Rubik's Cube A Pyraminx slightly turned from the solved position The **Pyraminx** ([/ˈpɪrəmɪŋks/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English)) is a regular [tetrahedron](/source/Tetrahedron) puzzle in the style of [Rubik's Cube](/source/Rubik's_Cube). It was made and patented by [Uwe Mèffert](/source/Uwe_M%C3%A8ffert) after the original 3 layered Rubik's Cube by [Ernő Rubik](/source/Ern%C5%91_Rubik), and introduced by [Tomy Toys](/source/Tomy) of Japan (then the 3rd largest toy company in the world) in 1981.[1] ## Optimal solutions The maximum number of twists required to solve the Pyraminx is 11. There are 933,120 different positions (disregarding the trivial rotation of the tips), a number that is sufficiently small to allow a computer search for optimal solutions. The table below summarizes the result of such a search, stating the number *p* of positions that require *n* twists to solve the Pyraminx:[2] - n 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 p 1 8 48 288 1728 9896 51808 220111 480467 166276 2457 32 ## Records Andreas Pung solving a Pyraminx at a competition The world record single solve is 0.73 seconds, set by Simon Kellum of the [United States](/source/United_States) at Middleton Meetup Thursday 2023. The world record average of five solves (excluding fastest and slowest) is 1.14 seconds, set by Lingkun Jiang (姜凌坤) of [China](/source/China) at Zhengzhou Zest 2025.[3] ### Top 10 solvers by single solve Rank[4] Name Result Competition 1 Simon Kellum 0.73s Middleton Meetup Thursday 2023 2 Elijah Brown 0.75s Berkeley Winter A 2023 3 Tucker Chamberlain 0.77s Georgetown Side Events 2025 4 Ng Jia Quan (黄佳铨) 0.78s Singapore Small and Sides Feb 2025 5 Jeriyah Griffin 0.79s Ohio State Madness 2026 6 Jovan Lee 0.80s Singapore Small and Sides Feb 2025 Luke Garrett National Trail Open OH 2026 8 Connor Johnson 0.82s Groundhog Day in Somerfield 2024 9 Jasper Murray 0.83s Lingkun Jiang (姜凌坤) Foshan Open 2026 ### Top 10 solvers by [Olympic average](/source/Olympic_average) of 5 solves Rank[5] Name Result Competition Times 1 Lingkun Jiang (姜凌坤) 1.14s Zhengzhou Zest 2025 1.04, (3.22), (0.97), 1.21, 1.16 2 Sebastian Lee 1.15s Maitland Spring 2024 1.15, (1.53), 1.22, (1.01), 1.09 3 Aratz Larruzea 1.30s Gasteiz Open 2026 1.36, (0.98), 1.13, (2.63), 1.40 4 Jeriyah Griffin 1.38s Ohio State Madness 2026 1.33, 1.41, (1.85), 1.40, (1.28) 5 Jasper Murray 1.40s A New Year in Auckland 2025 (1.09), (2.11), 1.60, 1.35, 1.26 6 Michael Nielsen 1.41s Virginia Championship 2025 1.31, 1.35, 1.56, (1.15), (3.10) 7 Parker Trager 1.42s Saint Mike's Cube Fest VT 2025 1.48, 1.39, 1.40, (1.69), (1.38) 8 Ezra Shere 1.45s Washtenaw Fast 'n Late Fall 2023 (1.82), 1.42, 1.42, 1.50, (1.38) Daniel Partridge Darlington Spring 2026 1.47, (1.32), 1.43, 1.46, (2.64) 10 Owen Yepeng Sun (孙叶芃) 1.47s Mission Viejo Fall 2025 1.41, 1.16, (1.14), 1.84, (4.22) Alexey Tsvetkov Prlekija Open 2026 1.44, 1.41, (1.91), (1.19), 1.55 ## Methods There are many methods for solving a Pyraminx. They can be split up into two main groups. 1) V First Methods - In these methods, two or three edges are solved first, and a set of algorithms, also called LL (last layer) algorithms, are used to solve the remainder of the puzzle. 2) Top First Methods- In these methods, three edges around a center piece are solved first, and the remainder of the puzzle is solved using a set of algorithms. Common V first methods- a) Layer by Layer - In this method, a face with all edges permuted is solved, and then the remaining puzzle is solved by a single algorithm from a set of 5. b) Algorithmic L4E and Intuitive L4E - L4E or last 4 edges is somewhat similar to Layer by Layer. The only difference is that only two edges are solved around three centers. Both of these methods solve the last four edges in the same step, hence the name. The difference is that Intuitive L4E requires a lot of visualization and "intuition" to solve the last four edges while algorithmic L4E uses algorithms. Algorithmic L4E is generally used more at higher levels, although there are very fast Intuitive L4E users. It is also easy to transition between Intuitive L4E and Algorithmic L4E. Common top first methods- a) One Flip - This method uses two edges around one center solved and the third edge flipped. There are a total of six cases after this step, for which algorithms are memorized and executed. The third step involves using a common set of algorithms for all top first methods, also called Keyhole last layer, which involves 5 algorithms, four of them being the mirrors of each other. b) Keyhole - This method uses two edges in the right place around one center, and the third edge placed elsewhere on the puzzle. The centers of the fourth color are then solved using the slot formed by the non-permuted edge. The last step is solved using Keyhole last layer algorithms. c) OKA - In this method, one edge is oriented around two edges in the wrong place, but one of the edges that is in the wrong place belongs to the block itself. The last edge is found on the bottom layer, and a very simple algorithm is executed to get it in the right place, followed by keyhole last layer algorithms. Some other common top first methods are WO and Nutella. Many top Pyraminx speedsolvers only use V-first methods, as top-first methods are extremely clunky and outdated due to hardware. ## Variations A solved Tetraminx. There are several variations of the puzzle. The simplest, **Tetraminx**, is equivalent to the (3x) Pyraminx but without the tips (see photo), resembling a [truncated tetrahedron](/source/Truncated_tetrahedron). There also exist "higher-order" versions, such as the 4x Master Pyraminx (see photos) and the 5x Professor's Pyraminx. A basic pattern on a Master Pyraminx A solved Master Pyraminx The **Master Pyraminx** has 4 layers and 16 triangles-per-face (compared to 3 layers and 9 triangles-per-face of the original), and is based on the [Skewb Diamond](/source/Skewb_Diamond) mechanism. This version has about 2.6817 × 1015 combinations.[6][7] The Master Pyraminx has - 4 "tips" (same as the original Pyraminx) - 4 "middle axials" (same as the original Pyraminx) - 4 "centers" (similar to Rubik's Cube, none in the original Pyraminx) - 6 "inner edges" (similar to Rubik's Cube, none in the original Pyraminx) - 12 "outer edges" (2-times more than the 6 of the original Pyraminx) In summary, the Master Pyraminx has 30 "manipulable" pieces. However, like the original, 8 of the pieces (the tips and middle axials) are fixed in position (relative to each other) and can only be rotated in place. Also, the 4 centers are fixed in position and can only rotate (like the Rubik's Cube). So there are only 18 (30-8-4) "truly movable" pieces; since this is 10% *fewer* than the 20 "truly movable" pieces of the Rubik's Cube, it should be no surprise that the Master Pyraminx has about 10,000-times *fewer* combinations than a Rubik's Cube (43 quintillion in the short scale or 43 trilion in the long scale). The Master Pyraminx can be solved in numerous ways: one is layer by layer like the original one or reducing it to a Jing pyraminx.[8] ## Reviews - *[Games](/source/Games_(magazine))*[9] ## See also - [Pyraminx Duo](/source/Pyraminx_Duo) - [Pyramorphix](/source/Pyramorphix) and [Master Pyramorphix](/source/Pyramorphix#Master_Pyramorphix), two regular tetrahedron puzzles which resemble the Pyraminx but are mechanically very different from it - [Pocket Cube](/source/Pocket_Cube) - [Rubik's Cube](/source/Rubik's_Cube) - [Rubik's Revenge](/source/Rubik's_Revenge) - [Rubik's Triamid](/source/Rubik's_Triamid) - [Professor's Cube](/source/Professor's_Cube) - [V-Cube 6](/source/V-Cube_6) - [V-Cube 7](/source/V-Cube_7) - [V-Cube 8](/source/V-Cube_8) - [Skewb](/source/Skewb) - [Skewb Diamond](/source/Skewb_Diamond) - [Megaminx](/source/Megaminx) - [Dogic](/source/Dogic) - [Combination puzzles](/source/Combination_puzzles) - [Tower Cube](/source/Tower_Cube) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Puzzles, Pyraminx, Twisting puzzles, Kokonotsu-Super-Sudoku, Megaminx, 5x5x5 cube"](http://www.mefferts.com/puzzles-pyraminx-kokonotsu.htm). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-jaap_2-0)** [Pyraminx](https://www.jaapsch.net/puzzles/pyraminx.htm) - Jaap's Puzzle Page 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Pyraminx - Official World Records (Single and Average)"](https://www.worldcubeassociation.org/results/regions.php?eventId=pyram). *World Cube Association*. Retrieved 28 December 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [World Cube Association](/source/World_Cube_Association) [Official Pyraminx Ranking Single](https://www.worldcubeassociation.org/results/rankings/pyram/single?) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [World Cube Association](/source/World_Cube_Association) [Official Pyraminx Ranking Average](https://www.worldcubeassociation.org/results/rankings/pyram/average?) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Full List of Puzzles"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160428094549/http://www.gandreas.com/iphone/twisty/page2/page2.html). *gandreas software*. Archived from [the original](http://www.gandreas.com/iphone/twisty/page2/page2.html) on 28 April 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Notes on Twisty Puzzles"](http://michael-gottlieb.blogspot.com/2008/05/number-of-positions-of-generalized.html). Michael Gottlieb. Retrieved 31 December 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Martin Schönert *["Analyzing Rubik's Cube with GAP"](http://www.gap-system.org/Doc/Examples/rubik.html)*: the [permutation group](/source/Permutation_group) of Rubik's Cube is examined with [GAP computer algebra system](/source/GAP_computer_algebra_system) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["GAMES Magazine #29"](https://archive.org/details/games-29-1982-may/page/56/mode/2up). May 1982. ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Pyraminx](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Pyraminx). - [Jaap's Pyraminx and related puzzles page, with solution](http://www.jaapsch.net/puzzles/pyraminx.htm) - [Pyraminx solution](http://www.puzzlesolver.com/puzzle.php?id=28) from [PuzzleSolver](http://www.puzzlesolver.com/) - [Pyraminx - ruwix.com](https://ruwix.com/twisty-puzzles/pyraminx-triangle-rubiks-cube/) (how to solve) - [A solution to the Pyraminx](ftp://ftp.comlab.ox.ac.uk/pub/Cards/txt/Pyramix.txt)[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] by [Jonathan Bowen](/source/Jonathan_Bowen) - [An efficient and easy to follow solution favoured by speed solvers](https://web.archive.org/web/20071231043207/http://www.geocities.com/rubiks_galaxia/PyraSol.html) - [Patterns](http://www.randelshofer.ch/rubik/pyraminx) A collection of pretty patterns for the Pyraminx v t e Rubik's Cube Puzzle inventors Ernő Rubik Larry Nichols Uwe Mèffert Tony Fisher Panagiotis Verdes Katsuhiko Okamoto Oskar van Deventer Rubik's Cubes Overview Rubik's family cubes of varying sizes 2×2×2 (Pocket Cube) 3×3×3 (Rubik's Cube) 4×4×4 (Rubik's Revenge) 5×5×5 (Professor's Cube) 6×6×6 (V-Cube 6) 7×7×7 (V-Cube 7) 8×8×8 (V-Cube 8) Variations of the Rubik's Cube Bump Cube Nine-Colour Cube Sudoku Cube Rubik's WOWCube Other cubic combination puzzles Helicopter Cube Skewb Dino Cube Square-1 Gear Cube Non-cubic combination puzzles Tetrahedron Pyraminx Pyraminx Duo Pyramorphix BrainTwist Octahedron Face Turning Octahedron Skewb Diamond Dodecahedron Megaminx Pyraminx Crystal Skewb Ultimate Icosahedron Impossiball Dogic Great dodecahedron Alexander's Star Truncated icosahedron Tuttminx Cuboid Rubik's Domino (2x3x3) Virtual combination puzzles (>3D) MagicCube4D MagicCube5D MagicCube7D Magic 120-cell Derivatives Missing Link Rubik's 360 Rubik's Clock Rubik's Magic Master Edition Rubik's Revolution Rubik's Snake Rubik's Triamid Renowned solvers Yu Nakajima Édouard Chambon Bob Burton, Jr. Jessica Fridrich Chris Hardwick Kevin Hays Rowe Hessler Leyan Lo Shotaro Makisumi Toby Mao Prithveesh K. Bhat Krishnam Raju Gadiraju Tyson Mao Frank Morris Lars Petrus Gilles Roux David Singmaster Ron van Bruchem Eric Limeback Anthony Michael Brooks Mats Valk Feliks Zemdegs Collin Burns Max Park Tymon Kolasiński Mátyás Kuti Yiheng Wang Solutions Speedsolving Speedcubing World Championship 1982 2003 2005 Methods Layer by Layer CFOP method Optimal Mathematics God's algorithm Superflip Thistlethwaite's algorithm Rubik's Cube group Official organization World Cube Association Related articles Rubik's Cube in popular culture Rubik, the Amazing Cube The Simple Solution to Rubik's Cube --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pyraminx](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyraminx) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyraminx?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.