4x4 · Advanced

Speed methods

The best-known speed methods for the 4x4 are Yau and Hoya. They use a different order from the beginner reduction (centres, then edges, then 3x3): they pair edges earlier and finish the centres later, which saves moves and removes the hunt for the last edge.

Both are learned best from their published guides. Pick one, learn it in small pieces, and drill the new stages before you try a full solve.

Parity at speed

Learn both parity algorithms so well that you can do them without thinking, since they come up about half the time. Some solvers choose how they pair the last edges so that parity is less likely, but for most people the speed comes from doing the parity algorithms cleanly and quickly.

Look-ahead

Inspection is 15 seconds, far too little to plan a big cube. Use it to decide which centres to build first and to find your first edges. After that, look ahead while you turn, so that you never stop to search.

Review your solves: the Practice page keeps your times, and the pauses between stages are where the next improvement is.