Many people find themselves captivated by the Rubik’s Cube, a colorful 3×3 puzzle that seems deceptively simple yet poses a significant challenge. There are numerous methods to approach solving this iconic cube, ranging from intuitive techniques to advanced speedcubing algorithms and even blindfolded solving. Often, the initial excitement turns to frustration after completing the first face, leaving many puzzled and in need of guidance. This article aims to be your comprehensive guide, presenting the easiest and most accessible way to conquer the Rubik’s Cube: the beginner’s method. We will break down the solution process into manageable steps, ensuring that anyone can learn how to solve a Rubik’s Cube.
The 7 Steps to Solving the Rubik’s Cube
This beginner-friendly method focuses on solving the Rubik’s Cube layer by layer. This systematic approach allows you to master each stage using specific algorithms without disrupting the progress you’ve already made. Each of the following seven stages is explained in detail below, with links to dedicated pages for more in-depth explanations and examples if needed.
Example Solve Animation
To further illustrate the layer-by-layer method, watch this animation of a Rubik’s Cube being solved. Notice how it systematically addresses the white edges, corners, then transitions to solving the second layer, and finally completes the yellow face. Click the play button to begin the animation and visually grasp the process.
Ready for More? Explore the Advanced CFOP Fridrich Method
Video Tutorial for Beginners
Combining video guidance with written instructions is highly effective for learning to solve the Rubik’s Cube. Watching each step in action clarifies the written directions and makes them much easier to follow. Feel free to pause the video and practice each step at your own pace.
Understanding Rubik’s Cube Notation
Before diving into the steps, familiarizing yourself with basic Rubik’s Cube terminology and notation is beneficial. The notation system uses letters to represent the faces of the cube and the direction of rotations. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Faces:
- F – Front face
- R – Right face
- U – Up face
- L – Left face
- D – Down face
Rotations:
| Rotation Type | Faces (Clockwise) |
|---|---|
| Clockwise (90 degrees) | F R U L D |
| Counter-clockwise (90 degrees) | F’ R’ U’ L’ D’ |
Counter-clockwise rotations are indicated by an apostrophe (‘). A letter without an apostrophe indicates a clockwise rotation.
If you ever find yourself stuck or confused, an online Rubik’s Cube solver program can be a valuable tool. Simply input your cube’s current scramble, and the program will provide step-by-step instructions to solve it.
To track your progress and improve your solving speed, consider using an online Rubik’s Cube timer, which offers various useful features. For practicing different scrambles, a scramble generator can create random scrambles to challenge you.
Step 1: Making the White Cross
Let’s begin our Rubik’s Cube journey by focusing on the white face. Our first objective is to create a white cross on the top face, ensuring that the white edge pieces also match the colors of the side center pieces. We encourage you to try this step intuitively, without initially consulting instructions, to develop a feel for the cube’s mechanics.
This initial stage is excellent for getting acquainted with the Rubik’s Cube and seeing how far you can progress on your own. Forming the white cross is relatively intuitive as there are no previously solved pieces to worry about disrupting. Practice moving the white edges into their correct positions while maintaining the integrity of the edges already placed. Persistence is key, so don’t be discouraged if it takes a few attempts.
For animated algorithms and further assistance with forming the white cross, you can refer to this dedicated guide: How to Solve the White Edges.
Correctly formed white cross with matching side colors.
Incorrect white cross example: Side colors do not match center pieces.
Step 2: Completing the White Corners
With the white cross successfully formed, our next step is to position the white corner pieces correctly to complete the entire white face. If you successfully navigated the white cross step without assistance, challenge yourself to solve this step independently as well. However, if you prefer some guidance, here are some helpful hints.
Begin by rotating the bottom layer (D layer) to bring a white corner piece directly underneath its intended position on the top layer (U layer). Now, depending on the orientation of the white sticker on the corner piece, you’ll need to apply one of three algorithms. These algorithms will insert the corner piece into its correct slot. If a white corner is already in the correct position but incorrectly oriented (twisted), you’ll first need to extract it from its position.
For more detailed instructions and visual aids on solving the white corners, explore this resource: Solving the White Corners.
Completed white face with correctly positioned white corners.
Step 3: Solving the Second Layer (F2L – First Two Layers)
Up to this point, the solving process has been relatively straightforward. However, from this stage onward, we will be incorporating algorithms to progress. Let’s temporarily disregard the completed white face by turning the cube upside down, focusing our attention on the unsolved layers.
In this crucial step, we will simultaneously solve the second layer and maintain the integrity of the first layer (white face). This is often referred to as solving the First Two Layers (F2L). We will utilize two symmetrical algorithms: the Left Algorithm and the Right Algorithm. These algorithms effectively insert a correctly positioned edge piece from the top layer into the middle layer without disturbing the solved white face.
Examine the top layer (U layer). If you find an edge piece that, when the U face is rotated, can be positioned above its correct middle layer slot (matching the front and right or front and left center colors), proceed with the corresponding algorithm. If no such pieces are readily available in the top layer, rotate the top layer until you find a suitable edge piece.
Left Algorithm: U’ L’ U L U F U’ F’
Right Algorithm: U R U’ R’ U’ F’ U F
Incorrect orientation of a second layer edge piece. Apply algorithm twice if needed.
Completed second layer of the Rubik’s Cube.
If an edge piece is already in its correct middle layer position but oriented incorrectly, you’ll need to apply the algorithm twice. The first application will remove the incorrectly oriented piece, and the second application will insert the piece correctly.
For visual demonstrations of these F2L algorithms in action, visit: F2L Algorithm Guide.
Step 4: Forming the Yellow Cross on the Top Layer
Yellow cross formation on the top layer.
Now we shift our focus to solving the final layer, starting by creating a yellow cross on the top face. At this stage, we are only concerned with forming the cross shape and not with the correct positioning of the yellow edges in relation to the side center pieces.
As you begin this step, you might encounter three possible patterns on the yellow top face: a dot, an L-shape, or a horizontal line. We use a single algorithm to transition between these states until the yellow cross is formed:
Algorithm for Yellow Cross: F R U R’ U’ F’
- Dot: If you only see a yellow dot in the center of the top face, apply the algorithm three times to reach the yellow cross.
- L-Shape: If you have a yellow “L” shape, apply the algorithm twice. Hold the cube so the L-shape is positioned as shown in the image below (back left corner).
- Horizontal Line: If you see a horizontal yellow line, apply the algorithm once. Hold the cube so the line is horizontal.
Visual guide for yellow cross formation stages.
For a more detailed explanation and visual aids on forming the yellow cross, refer to: Yellow Cross Formation Guide.
Step 5: Positioning the Yellow Edges
With the yellow cross completed, the next step is to correctly position the yellow edge pieces so they align with the colors of the side center pieces. In this step, we will use an algorithm to swap the positions of the front and left yellow edge pieces.
Algorithm to Swap Yellow Edges: R U R’ U R U2 R’ U
Visual representation of yellow edge swapping.
Correctly positioned yellow edges on the top layer.
You may need to apply this algorithm multiple times to correctly position all yellow edges. After each application, assess the edge positions and repeat the algorithm as needed until all edges are in their correct locations.
Step 6: Permuting the Yellow Corners (Positioning)
Visual guide for permuting yellow corner pieces.
With the yellow edges correctly positioned, only the yellow corners remain unsolved. In this step, we will focus on getting the yellow corner pieces into their correct positions, disregarding their orientation for now.
Examine the yellow corners. Identify if any corner is already in its correct position (even if it’s not correctly oriented). If you find a correctly positioned corner, rotate the top layer (U layer) to bring it to the front-right-top (FRU) corner position. Then, apply the following algorithm to cycle (swap in a circular manner) the three incorrect corner pieces marked in the diagram.
Algorithm to Permute Yellow Corners: U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L
Applying this algorithm once will cycle the corner pieces. Applying it twice performs an inverse rotation of the corners. If none of the yellow corners are initially in the correct position, execute the algorithm once to bring at least one corner into its correct place. Then, repeat the process, ensuring a correctly positioned corner is in the FRU position before applying the algorithm.
For a more detailed explanation of yellow corner permutation, visit: Yellow Corner Permutation Guide.
Step 7: Orienting the Yellow Corners (Final Step)
Yellow corners correctly positioned but needing orientation.
The Rubik’s Cube is finally solved!
Congratulations, you’re in the final step! All pieces are now in their correct positions. The last task is to orient the yellow corners to complete the Rubik’s Cube. This step is often considered the most confusing, so careful attention to the instructions is crucial.
Hold the cube with an unsolved yellow corner in the front-right-top (FRU) position. Now, perform the following algorithm repeatedly (either twice or four times) until that specific corner is correctly oriented (yellow sticker facing upwards):
Algorithm to Orient Yellow Corners: R’ D’ R D
As you perform this algorithm, it might appear that you are scrambling the cube again. However, don’t worry; this is expected, and everything will resolve itself as you orient all the corners.
Once the corner in the FRU position is oriented, rotate only the top layer (U layer) to bring another unsolved yellow corner to the FRU position. Repeat the R’ D’ R D algorithm until this corner is also correctly oriented. Continue this process for each remaining unsolved yellow corner. Crucially, avoid rotating the bottom two layers or the entire cube between algorithm applications.
Patience and precision are key in this final step. If this explanation seems unclear, explore additional examples and visual aids here: Yellow Corner Orientation Examples.
Repeat this corner orientation process until your Rubik’s Cube is completely solved! 🙂
Still Finding it Challenging? Here are Alternatives:
If this tutorial feels too complex, consider exploring these resources:
- Rubik’s Cube Tutorial at Rubik’s.com: Another beginner-friendly guide.
- CubeSolve.com (CubeSolve.com): Offers various solving methods and resources.
- Online Rubik’s Cube Solver: Utilize the Online Rubik’s Cube Solver by inputting your scramble to get a step-by-step solution.
Beginner’s Rubik’s Cube Solution Steps Recap:
Beginner’s Rubik’s Cube Solution Steps: (Link to a summary page if available, or remove if not applicable in the new context.)
