How to solve the Rubik’s Cube

For the Advanced method click here.There are many approaches on how to solve the Rubik’s Cube. All these methods have different levels of difficulties, for speedcubers or beginners, even for solving the cube blindfolded. Usually people can solve one face of the cube intuitively, after that they need some help. In the following article I’m going to show you the easiest way to solve the cube using the beginner’s method.

Demonstrating the layer-by-layer method

The method presented here divides the cube in layers and you can solve every layer one by one applying the given algorithm not messing up the pieces already in place. You can find a separate page for each one of the seven stages if the description on this page is not enough.

To get started we recommend you to read the basic cubing terminology and you will need to know the Rubik’s Cube notation ie what the letters mean in the algorithms:

F: front, R: right, U: up, B: back, L: left, D: down.
(Counterclockwise rotations are marked with an apostrophe: F’)

If you want to see how this cube solving method works or want to get further help then you might find the online Rubik’s Cube solver program interesting which uses similar steps. If you get stuck or you don’t understand something, the software will help you. Just input the scramble of your puzzle and the program will show you the steps leading to the solution.

To keep a record of your solution times try the online Rubik’s Cube Stopwatch with graphical interface and generate random shuffles with the online puzzle scramble generator. The timer calculates your statistics and it is a useful tool for beginners and professionals too.

The Solution step by step

1. White cross

Bad white cross

Good white cross

Let’s begin with the white face. First we have to make a white cross paying attention to the colour of the center pieces. This step is quite intuitive, you can do it for sure with a little practice. Just move the white edges to their places not messing up the ones already fixed.

If you have difficulties, you can get a little more help with animated algorithms about solving the white cross on the Rubik’s Cube clicking here.

2. White corners

In this step we have to arrange all the white corner pieces, so we finish the first face. This step is still intuitive, you can do it without learning a single algorithm. If you don’t have patience I’ll give you some clues. Move the white corner under the spot where it’s supposed to be, then do one of the three algorithms according to the orientation of the piece, aka. in which direction the white sticker is facing. If the white corner piece is where it belongs but turned wrong then first you have to pop it out.

For more details about the solution of the white corners here.

White face solved

R’ D D R D R’ D’ R

F D F’

R’ D’ R

3. Second layer

Until this point the procedure was intuitive, from now on we have to use algorithms. We can turn the white face to the bottom and in this step we will complete the first two layers (F2L). There are two algorithms we use and they are symmetric. They’re called the F2L Right and F2L Left algorithms. These algorithms insert the Up-Front edge piece from the top layer in the middle layer not messing up the already solved white face.

If an edge piece is on its place in the second layer orienting wrong then we have to apply the algorithm twice. First we must pop it out inserting another one in its place.

F2L solved

Wrong orientation

Right: U R U’ R’ U’ F’ U F

Left: U’ L’ U L U F U’ F’

See these F2L algorithms in action following this link.

4. Yellow cross

Yellow cross on the top

Now make a yellow cross on the top of the cube. It doesn’t matter if the pieces are not on their final places so we don’t have to pay attention to the colours of the sides now. Just make a yellow cross on the top, we will swap them in the next step.

We can get three possible patterns on the top. We can get from one to the other pattern with a single algorithm as seen on the image: F R U R’ U’ F’

1. If you have a yellow “L” shape you’ll have to apply the algorithm twice, holding the cube in your hands as seen on the first image below.
2. In case of a horizontal line you just have to make the permutation once.

For further explication about forming a yellow cross on the Rubik’s Cube click here.

5. Yellow edges

  Yellow edges done

Switch the edges

After making the yellow cross on the top of the cube you have to put the yellow edge pieces on their right places where they belong. Switch the front and left yellow edges with the following algorithm:

R U R’ U R U U R’ U

There are situations when you have to apply this algorithm more than once.

6. Yellow corners on their places

Switch three corner pieces

Only the last layer corner pieces are left. First we have to get them to the right spot, so don’t worry about the orientation in this step.

Find a piece which is already on the right place, move it to the right-front-top corner then apply the following algorithm to switch (rotate) the three wrong pieces:

U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L

Do this twice to do an inverse rotation of the pieces. If none of the yellow corners is on the right place then do the algorithm once so one of them will go to the right spot.

Read more about the permutation of last layer yellow corners here.

7. Orient Yellow corners

The cube is solved

Orient the corner pieces

Now all the pieces are on their right places you just have to orient the yellow corner pieces.

Hold the cube in your hand so the piece you want to orient is on the front-right-top corner, then do the R’ D’ R D algorithm twice or four times until that specific piece is oriented well. It seems like you messed up the whole cube but don’t worry, it will be all right when all the corner pieces are oriented.

After that with a U’ turn move another yellow piece you want to orient to the front-right-top corner of the cube and doR’ D’ R D again while this specific piece is ok. Be careful not to move the two bottom layers between the algorithms and never rotate the whole cube!

You are so close to the end so be careful because this is the step in this tutorial where most people get lost. If this description doesn’t make sense, check out a few examples clicking here.

Repeat this until your Cube is solved