How to Start Speed Puzzling: Beginner Tips & Practice Ideas

My first puzzle competition was completely spontaneous. I didn’t even know speed puzzling was a thing — I just showed up, met a puzzler (who became a good friend of mine) sat down, and started puzzling. Somehow, we placed 5th… and to this day, I truly think a lot of that was luck.

Emilee and Laura at their first speed puzzling competition.

Since then, I've grown a lot as a speed puzzler.  But my goal has always remained the same... don't be last. Competitions are more popular, the skill level is higher, and the strategies are more refined than ever. But with that growth has also come a lot more interest — more people showing up simply because they’re curious and want to give it a try.

Maybe that’s you. You might be thinking, “This looks fun… but what if I’m the worst one there?”

The good news is that speed puzzling isn’t about being perfect or winning your first event. It’s about learning how to work more efficiently, gaining confidence, and enjoying the challenge. Whether you’re preparing for your first competition or just want to see how fast you can go at home, here are a few things to keep in mind as you start exploring speed puzzling.

The first place team at Puzzle Palooza 2025!

Practice Really Does Make a Difference

The single best way to get faster at puzzling is simple: practice. That may not be the thing you want to hear, but it's the truth. If you ask any competitive puzzler what the best method to get faster, it truly is puzzling A LOT. These speedy puzzlers didn't just happen overnight. Same as how an olympian didn't just happen to get a gold medal. 

The more puzzles you complete, the more familiar the process becomes—sorting, scanning, recognizing patterns, and placing pieces quickly. Over time, your brain starts to spot shapes, colors, and common layouts faster without you even realizing it.

Team Time with a Puzzle Twist Puzzle (Great brand to practice not looking at the box)

If you often puzzle with the same brand, this can help even more. Many brands use consistent piece cuts, and once you’re familiar with how those pieces behave, it can noticeably improve your speed.

Get Familiar With the Competition Brand

If you’re going to a competition where there’s a sponsor, it’s a great idea to practice with that sponsoring brand ahead of time. For example, if you’re attending a USAJPA sanctioned event, good guess is that Ravensburger is the sponsor. Spending time with that brand beforehand helps you get comfortable with the:

• piece thickness
• fit and feel
• image style
• cut patterns
• That familiarity can reduce surprises on competition day and let you focus on puzzling rather than adjusting.

Pro Tip: Many know that Ravensburger  has separate catalogues for Europe vs North American. If you are hoping to go to an event like Nationals or Worlds, try the brand Nathan. They are also made by Ravensburger  but their images are a bit more like the European catalogue which may help you broaden your image selection.

You may naturally gravitate toward a specific image style — I know I do. But when it comes to speed puzzling, it’s helpful to step outside your comfort zone and try a variety of images.

If you usually enjoy bright, busy puzzles, try working on something more muted or an image with a large amount of sky or background. Practicing with different styles helps you adapt, especially because on competition day, you don’t get to choose the image you’ll be puzzling. 

Try Puzzle Sprints With Smaller Piece Counts

One of the easiest ways to train for speed puzzling is by doing short puzzle sprints. Start with 100-piece puzzles to build momentum and confidence. You’re naturally fastest at smaller counts, and finishing quickly helps train your brain for faster decision-making and movement.

If you can, look for puzzles with standard-sized piece shapes (like many from New York Puzzle Company). These are great for practicing:

• quick scanning
• fast placement
• staying in motion
• Once that speed feels more natural, it becomes much easier to apply it to larger puzzles.

The start of the Pairs Competition at Puzzle Palooza 2025!

Practice Flipping Pieces Faster

An easy place to save time—even for non-speed puzzlers—is getting faster at flipping pieces. Many competitive puzzlers try to stay under 3-4 minutes, 5 if there is a bit of sorting involved. 

Try timing yourself while flipping pieces face-up at the start of a puzzle. Make it a mini challenge. Even shaving off a minute or two adds up over time. Even if you don't plan on timing your full puzzle, take the first few minutes of every build just to flip the pieces as fast as you can. This will help your body form muscle memory.

One habit that helps: flip your pieces away from your working space and have them on the same side as your box image. That way you have plenty of space to start puzzling and when you grab pieces, you can glance at the reference image. Also make sure to pack your box top holder for your competition! This will keep you box secure and give more space for puzzling. 

The Box Top Holder from Puzzle Peak keeps your puzzle off to the side.

Film Yourself (Even If You Never Post It)

You don’t need to be a content creator to benefit from filming yourself during a speed run. Even recording a short session can be really helpful. Watching it back can reveal habits you didn’t even realize you had — things like slowing down halfway through or spending more time sorting than placing pieces.

For me personally, filming myself made me notice that I don’t always use both hands efficiently. My left hand will sometimes just sit there when it could be grabbing pieces or helping place them. Seeing that on video made me much more aware of it, and once I noticed it, it was something I could actively work on improving.

Tammy's speed puzzle practice.

Build the Right Puzzle Playlist

Music doesn’t affect everyone the same way, but it can make a big difference for some puzzlers. Play around with different styles and see what helps you stay focused. I’ve noticed I’m a lot faster with music without words. Songs where I know the lyrics tend to slow me down because I’m more focused on the song and bopping around than the puzzle. Just make sure if you are bringing your own music to a competition, bring good headphones so to not disturb other competitors. 

Attend Puzzle Events (Even If You Don’t Compete)

Even if you don’t plan on competing, puzzle events are one of the best ways to learn strategy.

Watching other puzzlers sort, listening to how they approach different sections, and seeing a variety of styles in action can teach you a ton. During my first event, I learned more in a day than I had in years—and you get to make friends at the same time.

Emilee and Frank competing at the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships!

Speed Puzzling Looks Different for Everyone

For some puzzlers, speed puzzling is about winning and racing the clock. For others, it’s about personal improvement, learning new strategies, and seeing what they’re capable of over time. Some people thrive on competition, while others just enjoy shaving a few minutes off their personal best.

However you approach it, speed puzzling can add a new layer of challenge and excitement — and there’s no single “right” way to do it. But who knows, maybe one day you'll end up on the world stage!

Emilee at the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships!

Want to Learn More?

If you’re new to speed puzzling and want a bit more background, we’ve got a couple of great posts to help you jump in:

• What is Competitive Puzzling?— A friendly intro to the world of puzzle competitions and what speed puzzling looks like in that setting.

• How to Put Together Puzzles Fast — Great tips for improving efficiency and technique, whether you’re racing the clock or just want to puzzle more confidently.

These articles pair perfectly with this guide if you’re thinking about your first event or just starting to explore speed puzzling.