Speedcubing Glossary: Essential Terms Every Beginner Should Know

Use this page as a quick reference while reading other guides.

Ao5 and Ao12

• Ao5: average of 5 solves, removing best and worst
• Ao12: average of 12 solves, removing best and worst

PB

• PB means personal best
• Can refer to best single or best average

+2 and DNF

• +2: two-second penalty added to a solve
• DNF: solve counted as “Did Not Finish”

TPS

• TPS means turns per second
• Useful when interpreted with accuracy and pauses

Lookahead

• Ability to plan next steps while executing current ones
• Key for reducing pauses

Inspection

• Pre-solve planning period (commonly 15 seconds in competition contexts)
• Used to prepare a more stable start

Practice with these concepts in mind