How Does an Infinity Cube Work?
Eight little cubes, a handful of hinges, and a fold that never runs out.
· 4 min read
The short answer
An infinity cube is eight small cubes joined by hinges into one bigger cube, two wide, two deep and two tall. The hinges sit on alternating edges, so the cube can split open down the middle, fold flat, and close up again into a cube, with a new face on the outside each time. You can keep going round the cycle endlessly, which is where the name comes from.
How does an infinity cube work?
Start with eight small cubes stacked into a bigger cube. Now imagine hinges joining some of the small cubes along their edges, but not all of them. Each little cube is hinged to two of its neighbours, and the hinges alternate direction as you go round.
That arrangement is what makes the trick work. Whichever way you open it, there's always a pair of hinges that let one half swing away from the other, and always another pair that lets it close again in a new position. The cube never locks up and never comes to an end. Fold it eight times or eight hundred and it just keeps going.
Because the eight cubes are fixed together, there are no loose pieces to drop and nothing to put back together. It's one object that changes shape in your hand.
How do you fold an infinity cube?
It takes a few goes to get the rhythm, then your hands do it without thinking.
- Hold it with both hands, fingers on the sides and thumbs on top.
- Find the split. Gently pull the top two halves apart. One way it won't budge, the other way it opens down the middle like a book.
- Keep folding outwards along that hinge. The cube opens into a longer, flatter shape, then the two halves come back together into a cube with different faces showing.
- Find the next split and open it the same way. There's always one.
- Keep going. Each fold turns a new set of faces outwards, and eventually the cycle brings you back to where you started.
Once that feels easy, people try it one-handed, or speed it up into one smooth rolling movement. If it ever feels stiff, don't force it. Try opening it the other way.
Why is an infinity cube so satisfying?
Part of it is that there's no finish line. Most puzzles end when you solve them, and then you put them down. An infinity cube has nothing to solve, so your hands can carry on while your mind is somewhere else.
The weight helps too. Eight solid little cubes give it a pleasant heft, and each fold shifts that weight from one side of your hand to the other. Some people count their folds. Others barely notice they're doing it at all. If you're curious about why repetitive movements like this help some people settle, our piece on the science behind fidgeting goes into it.
Is an infinity cube noisy?
A little. Every time the halves close, the faces meet with a soft tap, and hinges can make a small sound of their own. On a sofa that's barely noticeable. In an exam hall or a silent office, a steady tap-tap-tap will be heard by the people around you.
So it isn't a silent fidget. Every product page shows a noise level, and our fidget noise levels page explains what each level means. If you need something that makes no sound at all, our quiet fidgets are the place to look.
Who is an infinity cube good for?
It suits people who like a fidget with a repeating pattern of movement. The fold is predictable, each fold finishes with a neat little landing as the faces meet, and you can do it for ages without it getting tiring. A lot of people like holding one during a phone call or while they think something through.
It's a two-handed toy most of the time, so it's less handy if you need one hand free for a mouse or a pen. Small children can enjoy it too, though our cube is not suitable for children under 36 months because of its small parts.
Trying to choose between a cube and a spinner? We've compared the two in infinity cube vs fidget spinner, so we won't repeat that here.
How long does an infinity cube last?
A well-made cube will take a huge amount of folding. The hinges are the part that wears, so treat them kindly: open it the way it wants to go rather than prising it the wrong way, and don't drop it on a hard floor more than you can help.
Ours is 3D-printed by us in Kent from PLA, a plant-based polymer. PLA softens with heat, so keep it off radiators and out of hot cars. It carries the UKCA mark and is made to the UK toy safety standard, BS EN 71. For cleaning, see our guide on how to clean fidget toys.
Questions people ask
How many cubes are in an infinity cube?
Eight small cubes, arranged two by two by two and joined by hinges along some of their edges.
Why is it called an infinity cube?
Because the hinges let it fold open and closed in a cycle that never ends. You can keep folding it for as long as you like.
Is an infinity cube quiet enough for school or work?
It makes a soft tap each time it closes, so it can be heard in a silent room such as an exam hall. For somewhere that needs no sound at all, choose a silent fidget instead.
Is an infinity cube hard to use?
No. It takes a few tries to find which way it opens, and after that most people can fold it without looking.
Can toddlers use an infinity cube?
Our infinity cube contains small parts and is not suitable for children under 36 months.
