1. Understanding the Cube
A 3×3 Rubik’s Cube has:
6 faces (White, Yellow, Blue, Green, Red, Orange)
Center pieces (fixed — determine face color)
Edge pieces (2 colors)
Corner pieces (3 colors)
2. Common Notations
Moves are written using letters:
| Move | Meaning |
|---|---|
| R | Turn Right face 90° clockwise |
| R’ | Turn Right face 90° counter-clockwise |
| L | Left face clockwise |
| L’ | Left face counter-clockwise |
| U | Up face clockwise |
| U’ | Up face counter-clockwise |
| D | Down face clockwise |
| D’ | Down face counter-clockwise |
| F | Front face clockwise |
| F’ | Front face counter-clockwise |
| B | Back face clockwise |
| B’ | Back face counter-clockwise |
3. Beginner Method (Layer-by-Layer)
Step 1: White Cross
Make a plus (+) on the white face by matching edges with centers.
Tip: Each white edge should align with the color of the center on the side.
Step 2: White Corners
Goal: Complete the white layer.
Algorithm (Right corner insertion):
R’ D’ R D
Repeat until the white piece is correctly placed, then move to the next.
Step 3: Second Layer (Middle Layer)
Goal: Place non-yellow edge pieces correctly.
Case 1: Edge goes left
U’ L’ U L U F U’ F’
Case 2: Edge goes right
U R U’ R’ U’ F’ U F
Step 4: Yellow Cross
Goal: Make a yellow cross on top.
Algorithm:
F R U R’ U’ F’
Apply it 1–3 times depending on your yellow face pattern (dot → L → line → cross).
Step 5: Orient Yellow Face
Goal: Make the entire yellow face solid.
Algorithm:
R U R’ U R U2 R’
Repeat until all yellow pieces are on top.
Step 6: Position Yellow Corners
Goal: Get all yellow corners in their correct spot (even if rotated).
Algorithm:
U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L
Repeat until corners are positioned.
Step 7: Position Yellow Edges
Goal: Rotate the last edges to finish the cube.
Algorithm:
F2 U L R’ F2 L’ R U F2
Repeat until all edges align.
✅ Cube solved!
4. Intermediate / CFOP Method (Advanced Speedcubing)
CFOP = Cross → F2L → OLL → PLL
| Step | Description | Example Algorithms |
|---|---|---|
| Cross | Solve white cross intuitively | — |
| F2L | Pair corner + edge simultaneously | U R U’ R’ (varies) |
| OLL (Orientation of Last Layer) | Make top face same color | 57 cases (e.g., F R U R’ U’ F’) |
| PLL (Permutation of Last Layer) | Move last layer pieces into position | 21 cases (e.g., R2 U R U R’ U’ R’ U’ R’ U R’) |
5. Useful Algorithm Sets
Sexy Move
R U R’ U’
Sledgehammer
R’ F R F’
T-Perm (PLL example)
R U R’ U’ R’ F R2 U’ R’ U’ R U R’ F’
H-Perm (Edges Swap)
M2 U M2 U2 M2 U M2
6. Tips for Faster Solving
Practice lookahead: watch next pieces while solving current ones.
Learn F2L pairs intuitively.
Memorize all OLL and PLL for speedsolving.
Use finger tricks and cube lubrication for smoother turns.