Have you ever picked up a Rubik’s Cube, twisted it a few times, and then found yourself staring at a chaotic mix of colors, wondering how to restore it to its solved state? You’re not alone! Millions around the world are fascinated by this colorful puzzle. While it might seem daunting at first, solving a Rubik’s Cube is a skill that anyone can learn. There are various methods to tackle this iconic puzzle, ranging from intuitive approaches to advanced speedcubing techniques. However, for beginners, the easiest and most accessible method is the layer-by-layer approach.
This guide will walk you through the beginner’s method to solve a Rubik’s Cube, step by step. We’ll break down the process into manageable stages, using simple algorithms that are easy to learn and remember. Don’t worry if you get stuck – with a little patience and practice, you’ll be solving the Rubik’s Cube in no time!
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Table of Contents
- The Steps
- Example Solve
- Video Tutorial
- Notation
- Step 1: White Cross
- Step 2: White Corners
- Step 3: Second Layer
- Step 4: Yellow Cross
- Step 5: Yellow Edges
- Step 6: Permute Corners
- Step 7: Orient Yellow Corners
- Is this tutorial too complicated for you?
- Steps of the Beginner’s Rubik’s Cube Solution:
- Comments
The Steps
Our beginner’s method focuses on solving the Rubik’s Cube layer by layer. This means we’ll first solve one face (the white face in this guide), then the middle layer, and finally the last layer (yellow face). Each stage involves learning a specific algorithm – a sequence of moves – to manipulate the cube without disrupting the parts you’ve already solved. For a deeper dive into each step, you can click on the provided links to separate pages with more detailed explanations and examples.
The standard 3×3 Rubik’s Cube we will be learning to solve.
1. White Cross
Building the white cross is the first step in solving the Rubik’s Cube.
2. White Corners
Solving the white corners completes the first layer of the Rubik’s Cube.
3. Second Layer
Inserting the middle layer edges correctly is crucial for progress.
4. Yellow Cross
Creating the yellow cross on the top face is a key step towards solving the last layer.
5. Yellow Edges
Positioning the yellow edges correctly aligns the colors of the top face.
6. Permute Corners
Getting the yellow corners into their correct positions is almost the final stage.
7. Orient Corners
Orienting the yellow corners to complete the Rubik’s Cube is the final and satisfying step.
Example Solve
To see this layer-by-layer method in action, watch this animation of the Rubik’s Cube being solved. It demonstrates how to fix the white edges and corners, then flips the cube to solve the second layer, and finally completes the yellow face. Press the Play button to start the animation and follow along!
Ready for more? Explore the Advanced Method
Video Tutorial
A video tutorial can be incredibly helpful when learning to solve the Rubik’s Cube. Watching someone perform each step can make the written instructions much clearer and easier to follow. You can pause the video at any point, practice the moves, and then continue when you’re ready. Using a video alongside this written guide is a fantastic way to master Rubik’s Cube solving quickly!
Notation
Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to understand the basic Rubik’s Cube notation. This is a universal language used by cubers worldwide to describe algorithms. You’ll need to know what these letters mean to follow the instructions effectively:
- F: Front face
- R: Right face
- U: Up face
- L: Left face
- D: Down face
| Clockwise Rotations (90 degrees): | F R U L D |
|---|---|
| Counterclockwise Rotations (90 degrees): | F’ R’ U’ L’ D’ |
| 180 Degree Rotations (Clockwise or Counterclockwise): | F2 R2 U2 L2 D2 |
If you ever get stuck or confused, remember that there are resources available to help. An online Rubik’s Cube solver program can quickly provide you with the solution steps if you input your cube’s current state.
To track your progress and improve your solving speed, try using an online Rubik’s Cube Timer which offers various useful features. You can also use a scramble generator to create random scrambles for practice.
1. White Cross
(Detailed guide: How to solve the white edge pieces)
Let’s begin our Rubik’s Cube journey by solving the white face. Our first goal is to create a white cross on the top face. This means positioning the white edge pieces so that they form a cross shape, and importantly, each white edge piece must also match the color of the center piece on the side faces.
Try to solve the white cross intuitively, without initially relying on algorithms. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with the Rubik’s Cube’s movements and develop a feel for how the pieces interact. Don’t worry about messing up the cube – at this stage, there are no solved pieces to disrupt! Experiment, practice, and see how far you can get.
If you need a little help, or want to verify your solution, you can find animated algorithms and further instructions here.
A correctly formed white cross, with edge pieces matching side center colors.
An incorrect white cross, where side colors of the edge pieces do not match the center pieces.
2. White Corners
(Detailed guide: How to solve the white corners in the first layer)
With the white cross complete, our next step is to solve the white corners and finish the entire first layer. If you successfully completed the white cross without assistance, challenge yourself to solve the corners intuitively as well!
To solve the white corners, you’ll be working with algorithms. The basic strategy is to bring a white corner piece to the bottom layer, directly underneath its correct position in the top layer. Then, depending on the orientation of the white sticker on the corner piece, you’ll use one of three simple algorithms to insert it into the correct slot.
If a white corner is already in the correct position but twisted incorrectly, you’ll first need to “pop it out” using one of the algorithms, and then re-insert it correctly.
For a more detailed walkthrough and specific algorithms for each corner orientation, check out the solution for white corners here.
The white face completely solved, with the white cross and corners correctly positioned.
3. Second Layer
(Detailed guide: How to solve the second layer of the Rubik’s Cube (F2L))
Up to this point, solving the Rubik’s Cube might have felt relatively straightforward. However, from now on, we’ll be relying on algorithms to solve the remaining layers. Let’s turn the cube upside down, so the solved white face is at the bottom, and we can focus on the unsolved layers.
In this step, we’ll complete the second or middle layer of the Rubik’s Cube. This is often referred to as F2L (First Two Layers) in more advanced cubing methods. We’ll use two symmetrical algorithms: the Left Algorithm and the Right Algorithm. These algorithms are designed to insert an edge piece from the top layer into the middle layer without disturbing the solved white layer.
Before applying an algorithm, rotate the top layer (U) until a top layer edge piece aligns with the color of the center piece below it, as shown in the images. Then, use the corresponding algorithm based on the orientation needed.
Left Algorithm: U’ L’ U L U F U’ F’
Right Algorithm: U R U’ R’ U’ F’ U F
An incorrectly oriented edge piece in the second layer. In this case, perform the algorithm twice.
The first two layers (F2L) are now solved, with the white layer and the middle layer completed.
If an edge piece is already in the correct position in the second layer but oriented incorrectly, you’ll need to apply the algorithm twice. The first application will pop the piece out, and the second application will insert it correctly.
See these F2L algorithms in action with visual aids here.
4. Yellow Cross
(Detailed guide: How to make a yellow cross on the top of the Rubik’s Cube?)
A yellow cross formed on the top face, the next step in solving the last layer.
Now we move to the final layer, the yellow face. Our first goal is to create a yellow cross on the top, similar to how we started with the white cross. At this stage, we only focus on forming the cross shape with yellow edge pieces on the top face. We don’t need to worry about matching the side colors of these yellow edges just yet.
You may encounter three possible patterns on the yellow face: a dot, an L-shape, or a horizontal line. We use the same algorithm to progress from one pattern to the next until we achieve the yellow cross:
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, you’ll need to apply the algorithm three times to reach the yellow cross.
- L-Shape: If you see a yellow “L” shape, orient the cube so the “L” is in the top-left corner and apply the algorithm twice.
- Horizontal Line: If you see a horizontal yellow line, orient it horizontally across the top face and apply the algorithm once.
Visual representation of the patterns and algorithm application for forming the yellow cross.
For a more detailed explanation and visual aids on forming the yellow cross, click here.
5. Yellow Edges
(Detailed guide: How to swap two yellow edges?)
With the yellow cross in place, our next task is to position the yellow edge pieces correctly so that they match the colors of the side center pieces. This means we need to rotate the top layer until as many yellow edges as possible are in their correct positions.
The following algorithm swaps the front and left yellow edge pieces while keeping the yellow cross intact:
Algorithm for Swapping Yellow Edges: R U R’ U R U2 R’ U
Illustration of swapping the front and left yellow edge pieces using the algorithm.
Yellow edges correctly positioned, matching the side center piece colors.
You might need to apply this algorithm multiple times, rotating the top layer (U) between applications, until all yellow edges are in their correct positions.
6. Permute Corners
(Detailed guide: How to position yellow corners?)
Illustration showing the three corner pieces being cycled (swapped) in this step.
Now, only the yellow corner pieces remain to be solved. In this step, we’ll focus on getting the yellow corners into their correct positions, regardless of their orientation. Don’t worry if they are twisted – we’ll fix that in the final step.
First, check if any of the yellow corners are already in the correct position. A corner is in the correct position if its colors match the colors of the three faces it belongs to (even if the yellow face is not oriented upwards). If you find a corner in the correct place, position it at the front-right-top (FRU) corner.
If no corners are in the correct position, perform the algorithm once from any orientation. This will usually place at least one corner correctly. Then, position a correctly placed corner at the FRU position and apply the following algorithm to cycle (swap) the other three incorrect corners:
Algorithm for Permuting Yellow Corners: U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L
Applying this algorithm once will cycle the three corners clockwise. Applying it twice will cycle them counter-clockwise. You may need to apply it once or twice until all yellow corners are in their correct positions.
Read more about the permutation of last layer yellow corners here.
7. Orient Yellow Corners
(Detailed guide: How to orient last layer corners on your Rubik’s Cube)
Finally, we’ve reached the last step! All pieces are now in their correct positions; we just need to orient the yellow corners to complete the Rubik’s Cube. This step can be a bit tricky, so read the instructions carefully and follow them precisely.
Yellow corners are in the correct positions but need to be oriented to finish solving.
Congratulations! The Rubik’s Cube is solved.
Hold the Rubik’s Cube with an unsolved yellow corner at the front-right-top (FRU) position. Then, perform the following algorithm repeatedly until this specific corner is oriented correctly (the yellow face is facing upwards):
Algorithm for Orienting Yellow Corners: R’ D’ R D
You’ll notice that while performing this algorithm, it seems like you are messing up the entire cube. Don’t worry, this is normal! It will all come together when all corners are oriented.
Once the corner at the FRU position is oriented correctly, only rotate the top layer (U) to bring another unsolved yellow corner to the FRU position. Repeat the R’ D’ R D algorithm until this new corner is also oriented correctly. Continue this process for all unsolved yellow corners. Crucially, do not rotate the entire cube or the bottom two layers between applying the algorithm to different corners. Only rotate the top layer (U) to move the next corner into position.
Be patient and careful in this final step – it’s where many beginners get confused. If you find the description unclear, check out more examples and visual aids by clicking here.
Repeat this process until your Rubik’s Cube is solved 🙂
Is this tutorial too complicated for you? Here’s what you can do:
If you find this step-by-step guide challenging, don’t get discouraged! There are other resources available to assist you. You can:
- Explore other tutorials: Check out alternative guides at Rubik’s Cube Tutorial or CubeSolve.com. Different explanations might click better with you.
- Use an Online Solver: The Online Rubik’s Cube Solver is a powerful tool. Simply input your cube’s scramble, and it will calculate the solution steps for you instantly.
Steps of the Beginner’s Rubik’s Cube Solution:
- White Cross
- White Corners
- Second Layer
- Yellow Cross
- Yellow Edges
- Permute Corners
- Orient Corners
