Algorithm notation. The Kilominx is the 2x2 version of the Megaminx, so it reads Megaminx notation without the slices. The twelve faces are U R F L BL BR DR DL DBL DBR B and D, written in capitals. A plain face name turns it 72 degrees clockwise, a prime turns it counter-clockwise, and 2 or 2' is a 144-degree turn either way. The WCA scramble moves also work: R++ and R-- turn everything except the L face 144 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise seen from the right, D++ and D-- turn everything except U, and U and U' turn the top. y rotates the whole puzzle around U, and brackets repeat or invert a group: (R U R' U')x3 or (R U R' U')3 plays it three times and (R U)' plays its inverse. The second input loads an algorithm into the player under the puzzle, played on the puzzle as it stands (set up a scramble with the first input): step through it with the buttons, press play, or click a move to jump there.

Kilominx simulator: solved on the left, scrambled on the right

Online Kilominx Simulator

Play the Kilominx online: a free 3D simulator of the corners-only 2x2 Megaminx. Scramble, time your solves and step through algorithms in Megaminx notation.

Kilominx simulator: the 2x2 Megaminx

The Kilominx is to the Megaminx what the 2x2 pocket cube is to the Rubik's Cube: the same twelve-faced dodecahedron with the edges and centres taken away, leaving only the 20 corners. Each corner sits between three faces, and the puzzle is solved once every corner is in its place and twisted the right way, which is exactly the corner part of a Megaminx solve. It has also been sold as the Flowerminx, and ShengShou's 2016 version made it a proper speed puzzle. It is not a WCA event, but it is a popular step between the 2x2 and the Megaminx.

Using the simulator

  • Turn a face by dragging it a fifth of a turn, and drag the background to orbit the puzzle.
  • Keyboard: U, F, R, L and D turn the labelled faces clockwise; Shift turns them counter-clockwise.
  • Scramble, Undo, Reset: scramble does not start the timer, so you can inspect first, then press Start or Space to time the solve.
  • Size menu: jumps to the Master Kilominx, the Megaminx and the bigger minxes.

Notation without centres

With no centre pieces there is no fixed colour scheme to hold on to, so the face names U R F L BL BR DR DL DBL DBR B D simply describe positions. Any corner can be your starting point. The demo "every face once" turns U, the upper ring, the lower ring and D in order, which is a quick way to learn where each label is. Other demos show the sexy move R U R' U', Sune, and six sexy moves in a row, which bring the Kilominx back to solved. The WCA scramble moves R++ and D-- work too, so you can paste a Megaminx-style scramble into the first input. Load any algorithm into the second input and the player lets you step through it one move at a time.

How to solve the Kilominx

A layer-by-layer method, much like the one for the 3x3 cube, needs only one short trigger, R' D' R D, applied in a few situations:

  1. Build the first layer: five corners of one colour around a face, all oriented and in the right order.
  2. Place the corners that sit directly above them, forming a pseudo first-two-layers.
  3. Insert the corners that go between those, and keep going down until only the last face is left.
  4. Orient the last-layer corners by repeating the trigger, turning only the top face between corners.
  5. Permute the last-layer corners.
Kilominx with circled corners showing where the second-layer corners go above the first layer
Step 2: the corners directly above the first layer form a pseudo first-two-layers.
Kilominx with the last-layer corners outlined in red at the top and the solved lower part outlined in green
Only the top face is left: orient its corners with the R' D' R D trigger.

The full method with pictures is in the Ruwix Kilominx tutorial. When you practise orientation here, it is fine to scramble the lower part temporarily: as on the 2x2 Rubik's Cube, it comes back once the top corner is twisted correctly.

Is the Kilominx easier than the Megaminx?

Yes, it has 20 pieces instead of 50 and no edges to pair or orient. It is a good way to learn how a dodecahedron moves before you try the Megaminx.

What comes after the Kilominx?

The Master Kilominx is the 4x4 version: corners plus edge wings and X-centres, solved by reducing it to a Megaminx.

Do I need to install anything?

No. The simulator runs in any modern browser, on desktop or with touch on a phone, and it is free.