Last updated: May 10, 2026. Covers speedrun strategies for all DOORS floors including The Hotel, The Mines, and The Outdoors. Includes split times, route optimization, entity skip strategies, and community record benchmarks. Updated for the post-Outdoors meta and upcoming Archives update.
What Is DOORS Speedrunning?#
DOORS speedrunning is the practice of completing DOORS floors in the shortest possible time. Unlike casual play where exploration, item collection, and achievement hunting take priority, speedrunning focuses on minimizing time spent on every single element – from door transitions to entity encounters to puzzle solving.
The DOORS speedrunning community is active and competitive, with runs tracked across multiple categories and floors. Whether you’re aiming to beat your personal best or compete for community records, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Speedrun Categories#
For general gameplay fundamentals before attempting speedruns, see our DOORS Beginner Guide.
| Category | Definition | Time Target (Hotel) |
|---|
| Any% | Reach the final door by any means necessary | Under 12 minutes |
| 100% | Complete all objectives, find all secrets, encounter all entities | Under 40 minutes |
| No Damage | Complete the floor without taking any damage | Under 20 minutes |
| All Floors% | Complete Hotel + Mines + Outdoors in one run | Under 55 minutes |
| Individual Floor | Speedrun a single floor (Hotel, Mines, or Outdoors) | Varies by floor |
Speedrun Rules and Standards#
| Rule | Detail |
|---|
| Start time | Timer starts when you enter the first door |
| End time | Timer stops when you enter the final door of the floor |
| Allowed | Route optimization, entity skips, puzzle speed strategies |
| Disallowed | Exploits, glitches, external tools, teaming with non-runners |
| Platform | PC recommended for fastest input response |
Optimal Routes for Each Floor#
The Hotel (Doors 1-100) Speedrun Route#
The Hotel is the most speedrun floor due to its predictable layout and well-documented optimal path.
Door 1-50 Route#
| Door Range | Strategy | Time Target |
|---|
| 1-9 | Sprint through; check only essential containers | 45 seconds |
| 10-19 | Skip non-essential rooms; memorize Rush timing | 50 seconds |
| 20-29 | Fast container checks; ignore decorative rooms | 55 seconds |
| 30-39 | Dupe verification at speed; correct door on first attempt | 50 seconds |
| 40-49 | Pre-position for Seek chase; minimal exploration | 55 seconds |
| 50 | Library – optimized book collection and code entry | 2 minutes |
Library speed strategy (Door 50):
- Sprint directly to the book locations (memorized spawn points)
- Collect only the required books – ignore extras
- Decode symbols to numbers using memorized chart
- Enter code immediately – practice the number combinations
Door 51-100 Route#
| Door Range | Strategy | Time Target |
|---|
| 51-59 | Jeff Shop – buy only essential items; skip browsing | 1 minute |
| 60-69 | Fast navigation; skip optional rooms | 50 seconds |
| 70-79 | Entity encounters at speed; minimize hiding time | 55 seconds |
| 80-89 | Pre-position for second Seek; memorize chase route | 50 seconds |
| 90-99 | Peak speed section; all entities handled efficiently | 1 minute |
| 100 | Electrical Room – optimized circuit breaker puzzle | 2 minutes |
Circuit breaker speed strategy (Door 100):
- Memorize the pattern display instantly
- Chunk the pattern into groups of 2-3 switches
- Flip switches in order without hesitation
- Practice the memory technique: visualize the pattern as shapes
The Mines (Doors 101-200) Speedrun Route#
The Mines speedrun is more complex due to generator rooms, minecart mechanics, and the Nest boss fight.
| Door Range | Strategy | Time Target |
|---|
| 101 | The Adit – find 2 Fuses quickly; skip dial adjustment if correct | 1.5 minutes |
| 102-119 | Fast navigation; skip non-essential containers | 2 minutes |
| 120-139 | Generator rooms – use Crowbar if available; otherwise speed-run fuse search | 2.5 minutes |
| 140-149 | Skip Bramble with Shears; direct path only | 1 minute |
| 150 | Seek chase – memorize jump points; sprint entire route | 1 minute |
| 151-162 | Jeff Shop – buy Shears and Alarm Clocks only; skip everything else | 45 seconds |
| 163-199 | Maximum speed navigation; minimal entity interaction | 3 minutes |
| 200 | The Nest – optimized Anchor activation with Alarm Clock distractions | 3 minutes |
Mines speedrun key techniques:
| Technique | Time Saved | How |
|---|
| Skip minecart dial | 5-10 seconds | Don’t adjust dial if default track is correct |
| Crowbar skip | 30-60 seconds | Use Crowbar to skip generator rooms entirely |
| Memorized Seek jumps | 15-20 seconds | Know exactly where to jump in the chase |
| Pre-placed Alarm Clocks | 30 seconds | Place clocks before starting Anchor activation |
The Outdoors Speedrun Route#
The Outdoors speedrun requires mastering the Groundskeeper mechanic and optimizing the Lotus Petal collection.
| Door Range | Strategy | Time Target |
|---|
| 1-20 | Learn path layouts; memorize Groundskeeper patrol patterns | 2 minutes |
| 21-40 | Skip non-essential areas; handle Mandrake at speed | 2.5 minutes |
| 41-60 | Monument puzzles – memorize and solve on first attempt | 2 minutes |
| 61-80 | Direct path navigation; avoid all grass at speed | 2 minutes |
| 81-99 | Hedge Maze – right-hand rule at sprint speed | 2 minutes |
| 100 | World Lotus – optimized petal collection and escape | 3 minutes |
Outdoors speedrun key techniques:
| Technique | Time Saved | How |
|---|
| Memorized path routes | 2-3 minutes | Learn optimal path through garden areas |
| Groundskeeper pattern knowledge | 1-2 minutes | Cross grass-adjacent areas during blind spots |
| Direct petal route | 2 minutes | Know all 8 petal spawn locations; grab in order |
| Monument pattern memorization | 1-2 minutes | Solve puzzles on first attempt |
Entity Skip Strategies#
Speedrunning DOORS means minimizing time spent on entity encounters. Here are proven strategies for handling each entity type at speed:
Rush and Ambush#
| Strategy | Execution | Time Saved |
|---|
| Pre-knowledge of hiding spots | Memorize locker/cabinet locations per room | 2-3 seconds per encounter |
| Minimum hide time | Exit hiding spot the instant the entity passes | 1-2 seconds per encounter |
| Ambush multi-pass awareness | Know the exact number of passes; don’t over-hide | 3-5 seconds per encounter |
Rush speed technique: Instead of running to the nearest hiding spot when lights flicker, position yourself near a hiding spot at all times. This eliminates the “run to cover” delay.
Screech#
| Strategy | Execution | Time Saved |
|---|
| Instant camera spin | As soon as you hear whispering, spin once and keep moving | 1-2 seconds |
| Preventive awareness | In dark rooms, spin camera preemptively | Avoids Screech encounter entirely |
Seek#
| Strategy | Execution | Time Saved |
|---|
| Memorized chase route | Know the exact path, jump points, and obstacle locations | 10-20 seconds per chase |
| Optimized sprint timing | Sprint at every possible moment; never let off the key | 5-10 seconds per chase |
| Jump pre-timing | Jump before reaching the obstacle, not at it | 2-3 seconds per obstacle |
| Strategy | Execution | Time Saved |
|---|
| Pre-planned route | Know the layout before Figure activates | 15-30 seconds |
| Optimal crouch speed | Crouch-walk at maximum speed (not minimum) | 5-10 seconds |
| Alarm Clock placement | Place clock before engaging; let it distract Figure | 20-40 seconds |
Dupe#
| Strategy | Execution | Time Saved |
|---|
| Instant door count | Count doors on entry; enter correct one immediately | 2-3 seconds |
| No-hesitation policy | Don’t second-guess; commit to the correct door | 1-2 seconds |
Giggle (Mines)#
| Strategy | Execution | Time Saved |
|---|
| Preemptive ceiling check | Look up on room entry; move away immediately | 1-2 seconds |
| Position awareness | Don’t stand in open areas; stay near cover | Avoids Giggle encounter entirely |
Gloombats (Mines)#
| Strategy | Execution | Time Saved |
|---|
| Always have light on | Carry active light source; no need to equip mid-encounter | Avoids encounter entirely |
| Glowstick toss | Pre-toss glowstick in dark areas before entering | 2-3 seconds |
Groundskeeper (Outdoors)#
| Strategy | Execution | Time Saved |
|---|
| Memorized patrol patterns | Know when and where Groundskeeper looks | 10-20 seconds per encounter |
| Path optimization | Plan routes that minimize grass proximity | 5-10 seconds per section |
| Cross during blind spots | Move quickly during Groundskeeper’s non-watching phases | 5-15 seconds |
Time-Saving Techniques#
General Speedrunning Techniques#
| Technique | Description | Floors | Time Saved |
|---|
| Sprint everywhere | Never walk when you can sprint (except during Figure) | All | 2-5 minutes |
| Skip decorative rooms | Don’t enter rooms with no containers or doors visible | All | 1-3 minutes |
| Container priority | Only check containers that spawn high-value items | All | 30-60 seconds |
| Door transition optimization | Approach doors from the optimal angle for fastest entry | All | 10-20 seconds |
| Inventory management at speed | Pre-sort inventory; drop low-priority items quickly | All | 15-30 seconds |
Puzzle Speed Strategies#
| Puzzle | Speed Strategy | Time Saved |
|---|
| Library code (Door 50) | Memorize symbol-to-number chart; collect books in order | 30-60 seconds |
| Circuit breaker (Door 100) | Chunk pattern into groups; flip switches in rhythm | 20-40 seconds |
| Generator rooms | Memorize Fuse spawn locations; search in optimal order | 30-60 seconds |
| Monument puzzles (Outdoors) | Learn all puzzle patterns; solve on first attempt | 30-90 seconds |
| Lotus Petal collection | Know spawn locations; collect in shortest-route order | 1-2 minutes |
Movement Optimization#
| Technique | How It Works | Application |
|---|
| Corner cutting | Take the shortest path around corners, not the intended path | Every room |
| Wall sliding | Slide along walls to maintain maximum speed through turns | Long corridors |
| Door approach angle | Approach doors from an angle that minimizes turn time | Every door transition |
| Sprint-jump | Jump while sprinting for slight speed boost on flat surfaces | Open areas |
Item Optimization: What to Pick Up vs Skip#
In speedrunning, inventory management is critical. Every second spent picking up or managing items is time not spent progressing.
The Hotel Item Priority#
| Item | Pick Up? | Reason |
|---|
| Lighter | Yes | Essential for dark rooms; cheap at 100g |
| Bandages | Skip | Only if HP is full; otherwise quick pickup |
| Vitamins | Yes | Speed boost saves more time than pickup costs |
| Crucifix | Situational | Only if you’re struggling with entities |
| Skeleton Key | Skip | Too expensive for speedrun; not worth the gold |
| Lockpick | Skip | Container search costs more time than the lockpick saves |
The Mines Item Priority#
| Item | Pick Up? | Reason |
|---|
| Shears | Mandatory | Cannot progress without them |
| Alarm Clocks | Mandatory | Essential for Door 200 speed |
| Glowstick | Yes | Hands-free light saves equipping time |
| Crowbar | Priority | Skips generator rooms; massive time saver |
| Bulklight | Skip | Flashlight is sufficient; not worth the gold |
| NVCS-3000 | Skip | 1,000g waste; minimal speed benefit |
The Outdoors Item Priority#
| Item | Pick Up? | Reason |
|---|
| Lotus Petals | Mandatory | Required to complete the floor |
| Bread | Skip | Achievement only; no speed benefit |
| Iron Keys | Skip | Opens bonus areas; slows you down |
| Green Herb | Situational | Only if HP is critically low |
| Vitamins | Yes | Save for final escape; speed boost |
Boss Fight Speed Strategies#
| Phase | Speed Strategy | Time |
|---|
| Book collection | Sprint to memorized spawn points | 30 seconds |
| Code decoding | Pre-memorized chart; instant translation | 20 seconds |
| Code entry | Practice typing the code combination | 15 seconds |
| Total | | ~65 seconds |
| Phase | Speed Strategy | Time |
|---|
| Pattern memorization | Chunk into groups; instant recall | 10 seconds |
| Switch flipping | Flip in rhythm; no hesitation | 20 seconds |
| Total | | ~30 seconds |
| Phase | Speed Strategy | Time |
|---|
| Area scoping | Pre-memorized Anchor locations from previous runs | 15 seconds |
| Alarm Clock placement | Pre-placed before starting; no setup time | 5 seconds |
| Anchor activation | Sprint between Anchors using memorized route | 60 seconds |
| Clock re-triggering | Ring clocks at optimal intervals | 20 seconds |
| Total | | ~100 seconds |
World Lotus (Outdoors) – Hedge Maze Center#
| Phase | Speed Strategy | Time |
|---|
| Petal collection | Memorized spawn order; direct path | 60 seconds |
| Hazard management | Use Crucifix to ignore entity spawns | 10 seconds |
| Lotus Flower crafting | Instant craft upon 8th petal collection | 5 seconds |
| Escape chase | Pre-used Vitamins; memorized exit path | 30 seconds |
| Total | | ~105 seconds |
Split Times for Each Section#
The Hotel Ideal Split Times#
| Section | Target Time | Cumulative |
|---|
| Doors 1-9 | 0:45 | 0:45 |
| Doors 10-19 | 0:50 | 1:35 |
| Doors 20-29 | 0:55 | 2:30 |
| Doors 30-39 | 0:50 | 3:20 |
| Doors 40-49 | 0:55 | 4:15 |
| Door 50 (Library) | 2:00 | 6:15 |
| Doors 51-59 (Shop) | 1:00 | 7:15 |
| Doors 60-69 | 0:50 | 8:05 |
| Doors 70-79 | 0:55 | 9:00 |
| Doors 80-89 | 0:50 | 9:50 |
| Doors 90-99 | 1:00 | 10:50 |
| Door 100 (Electrical) | 2:00 | 12:50 |
The Mines Ideal Split Times#
| Section | Target Time | Cumulative |
|---|
| Door 101 (Adit) | 1:30 | 1:30 |
| Doors 102-119 | 2:00 | 3:30 |
| Doors 120-139 | 2:30 | 6:00 |
| Doors 140-149 | 1:00 | 7:00 |
| Door 150 (Seek) | 1:00 | 8:00 |
| Doors 151-162 (Shop) | 0:45 | 8:45 |
| Doors 163-199 | 3:00 | 11:45 |
| Door 200 (Nest) | 3:00 | 14:45 |
The Outdoors Ideal Split Times#
| Section | Target Time | Cumulative |
|---|
| Doors 1-20 | 2:00 | 2:00 |
| Doors 21-40 | 2:30 | 4:30 |
| Doors 41-60 | 2:00 | 6:30 |
| Doors 61-80 | 2:00 | 8:30 |
| Doors 81-99 (Maze) | 2:00 | 10:30 |
| Door 100 (World Lotus) | 3:00 | 13:30 |
| Category | Floor | Record Time | Notes |
|---|
| Any% | The Hotel | ~9:30 | Top runners skip most containers and use entity skip routes |
| Any% | The Mines | ~12:00 | Requires Crowbar spawn and perfect Nest execution |
| Any% | The Outdoors | ~11:00 | Optimized Groundskeeper routing and instant petal collection |
| All Floors% | Complete run | ~35:00 | Combined Hotel + Mines + Outdoors without reset |
| No Damage | The Hotel | ~14:00 | Slower due to caution requirements |
Note: These times represent community-verified benchmarks and may vary. Records are tracked by the DOORS speedrunning community on Discord and speedrun.com.
What Separates Top Runners#
| Skill | Description | Impact |
|---|
| Route memorization | Knowing every room layout and entity spawn pattern | 2-5 minutes |
| Entity timing | Exact knowledge of when entities trigger and how to handle them | 1-3 minutes |
| Puzzle speed | Instant puzzle solving through pattern memorization | 1-2 minutes |
| Movement optimization | Corner cutting, wall sliding, optimal door angles | 30-60 seconds |
| Luck management | Adapting to bad RNG (missing Crowbar, bad entity spawns) | 1-2 minutes |
Practice Routes and Tips#
Building Your Speedrun Skills#
| Practice Focus | How to Practice | Goal |
|---|
| Route memorization | Play casual runs focusing only on learning the layout | Memorize all room layouts and container positions |
| Puzzle speed | Practice Library code and Circuit breaker in isolation | Sub-60 second Library, sub-30 second Circuit breaker |
| Entity handling | Focus on minimizing hide time during Rush/Ambush | Sub-2 second hide-to-unhide cycle |
| Movement | Practice corner cutting and wall sliding in empty rooms | Consistent optimal pathing |
| Full runs | Time your casual runs and track split improvements | Consistent sub-20 minute Hotel runs |
Practice Progression Path#
| Phase | Focus | Duration |
|---|
| Phase 1: Familiarity | Learn all room layouts and entity patterns | 10-20 runs |
| Phase 2: Puzzle mastery | Master Library, Circuit breaker, and generator puzzles | 5-10 focused runs |
| Phase 3: Entity speed | Minimize time spent on all entity encounters | 10-15 runs |
| Phase 4: Full route optimization | Combine all techniques into full speed runs | Ongoing |
| Phase 5: Record chasing | Push for personal and community bests | Ongoing |
| Resource | Use | Link |
|---|
| DOORS Wiki | Entity data, room layouts, item locations | doors-game.fandom.com |
| Speedrun.com | Record tracking, rule verification | speedrun.com/doors |
| DOORS Discord | Community tips, route discussion, split comparison | Discord server |
| YouTube guides | Visual route demonstrations | Search “DOORS speedrun” |
| Timer tools | LiveSplit or similar for split timing | livesplit.org |
Common Speedrun Mistakes#
| Mistake | Time Lost | Prevention |
|---|
| Over-hiding from Rush/Ambush | 3-5 seconds per encounter | Learn exact pass duration; unhide immediately |
| Wrong door on Dupe | 10-20 seconds | Count doors on entry; commit instantly |
| Fumbling puzzle inputs | 15-30 seconds | Practice puzzles in casual runs first |
| Suboptimal container checks | 10-20 seconds | Only check containers with known valuable spawns |
| Poor Inventory management | 5-10 seconds | Pre-sort inventory; know what to drop instantly |
| Bad petal collection order (Outdoors) | 1-2 minutes | Memorize optimal petal route before speedrunning |
| Nest Anchor route errors (Mines) | 30-60 seconds | Practice the Nest route in casual runs |
| Stepping on grass during Outdoors speedrun | Instant death (reset) | Prioritize safety over speed near grass |
| Not adapting to bad RNG | 2-5 minutes | Have backup strategies for missing key items |
| Panic during entity encounters | 5-15 seconds | Practice entity handling until it’s automatic |
The Most Common Speedrun-Killer#
Panic during entity encounters is the single biggest time-waster for new speedrunners. When Rush triggers or Figure appears, the instinct to rush (pun intended) causes mistakes. The fix is repetition – practice each entity encounter until your response is automatic, not panicked.
Advanced Speedrun Techniques#
RNG Manipulation#
While DOORS is procedurally generated, experienced speedrunners have identified patterns:
| Pattern | Application | Benefit |
|---|
| Container spawn tendencies | Know which container types spawn which items | Skip low-value containers |
| Entity spawn windows | Know which door ranges trigger which entities | Pre-position for encounters |
| Room type distributions | Understand room frequency per door range | Plan route accordingly |
Split Analysis and Improvement#
| Method | How It Works | Benefit |
|---|
| Record and review | Record your runs and watch for time losses | Identify specific areas for improvement |
| Compare to PB splits | Compare each section to your personal best | Target your weakest sections |
| Compare to WR splits | Compare to world record splits | Understand the theoretical maximum |
Mental Preparation#
| Aspect | Technique | Why It Matters |
|---|
| Focus | Eliminate distractions; full attention on the run | DOORS requires constant awareness |
| Stress management | Breathe deeply during high-pressure sections | Panic causes mistakes |
| Consistency | Run at the same time of day; similar conditions | Builds muscle memory |
| Progressive difficulty | Start with casual runs, gradually increase speed | Prevents burnout and bad habits |
FAQ#
Q: What is the fastest way to beat The Hotel?
A: The Any% speedrun focuses on sprinting through all doors, minimizing entity hide times, skipping non-essential containers, and solving puzzles at maximum speed. Top runners complete The Hotel in under 10 minutes.
Q: How do I practice for DOORS speedrunning?
A: Start by learning all room layouts and entity patterns through casual runs. Then practice individual sections (puzzles, entity encounters) before combining everything into full speed runs. Use a timer tool like LiveSplit to track your splits.
Q: What’s the hardest floor to speedrun?
A: The Mines is generally considered the hardest due to generator rooms, the Nest boss fight requiring precise Alarm Clock timing, and the higher entity density. The Outdoors follows closely due to the Groundskeeper’s instant-death mechanic.
Q: Can I speedrun DOORS with friends?
A: Multiplayer speedruns are possible but typically slower due to coordination overhead. Most community records are set in solo runs. However, co-op runs can be fun for practice.
Q: What items should I prioritize in a speedrun?
A: Hotel: Lighter, Vitamins. Mines: Shears, Alarm Clocks, Crowbar (if found). Outdoors: Lotus Petals, Vitamins for the escape. Skip everything else unless it directly saves time.
Q: How do I deal with bad RNG in speedruns?
A: Have backup strategies. If you don’t find a Crowbar, optimize your generator room route. If entity spawns are unfavorable, adjust your hiding strategy. Good speedrunners adapt to any situation.
Q: Where are DOORS speedrun records tracked?
A: Community records are tracked on speedrun.com under the DOORS category, in the official DOORS Discord server, and through YouTube video submissions. Times are self-reported but community-verified.
Q: What’s the difference between Any% and 100% speedruns?
A: Any% focuses on reaching the final door by any means, skipping all optional content. 100% requires finding all secrets, encountering all entities, and completing all objectives. 100% runs are significantly longer.
Q: Is the No Damage category viable?
A: Yes, but it’s much slower than Any%. You need to prioritize safety over speed, which means longer hiding times, more cautious navigation, and avoiding all risky skips. Top No Damage Hotel runs are around 14 minutes.
Q: What’s the best way to improve my split times?
A: Focus on your weakest section first. Use a timer to identify which doors take you the longest, then practice that specific section repeatedly. Small improvements across many sections add up to major total time savings.
Next Steps#
Ready to put these speedrun strategies into practice? Check out our other DOORS guides:
Disclaimer: This guide reflects DOORS speedrun strategies as of May 2026. Game updates may change entity behavior, room layouts, or mechanics, which can affect optimal routes and times. Speedrun records are community-tracked and may change. Always check the official DOORS Wiki and speedrun.com/doors for the latest information.
Sources:
