How to solve a Rubik's Cube

by Jonathan Robson

Pieces to the puzzle

12 edge pieces

(two colors each)

8 corner pieces

(three colors each)

6 center squares

(they're fixed!!!)

How a Rubik's Cube works

Before we get started,

a few walk-through solves...

Algorithm notation

R = right face

L = left face

U = up (top) face

D = down (bottom) face

F = front face

B = back face

X' = counter-clockwise

X2 = 180 degrees

lowercase = turn two layers

Unless otherwise noted (with the modifiers below), moves are always 90 degrees clockwise as if looking directly at that face.

For example, (f R U2 F') = Front two layers 90 degrees clockwise, right face 90 degrees clockwise, top face 180 degrees, and front face 90 degrees counter-clockwise

Faces of the cube

Overview of steps

1. First layer edges (the cross)
2. First layer corners
3. Middle layer edges
4. Orient last layer edges
5. Orient last layer corners
6. Position last layer corners
7. Position last layer edges

For each step (except the cross), I'll explain the goal of the step and then go over the solution for the step.

Step 1: First layer edges (the cross)

Goal: Line up the white edge pieces with the correct colors on the adjacent center squares. Solve this step intuitively. There are no algorithms to memorize.

Step 2: First layer corners

Goal: Solve the rest of the first layer by putting the corner pieces in place. After this step, the entire white face will be solved as well as all the adjacent squares.

Step 2: First layer corners

With the white face on the bottom, position the corner piece directly above the spot where it needs to go. Then execute one of the algorithms below.

F' U' F

R U R'

R U2 R' U' (R U R')

Notice how the moves in parentheses in the third algorithm are the same as the first algorithm.

Step 3: Middle layer edges

Goal: Finish solving the first two layers by putting the middle layer edges in place. After this step, only the last layer edges and corners are left to be solved.

Step 3: Middle layer edges

Get the edge piece into the top layer, and then turn the top layer so that the color on the side of the edge piece matches with the color of the center square.

(U' F' U F) (U R U' R')

Notice how the two algorithms consist of the same two sequences of four moves in opposite order.

(U R U' R') (U' F' U F)

Step 4: Orient last layer edges

Goal: Create a yellow cross on the top layer by orienting the last layer edges so that their yellow side is facing up. Don't worry about their position yet, just their orientation.

Step 4: Orient last layer edges

There will usually be two edges with yellow already facing up. If none are facing up, execute both algorithms in order. The images show the view from the top.

F (R U R' U') F'

Notice the lowercase f, which means front two layers.

f (R U R' U') f'

Step 5: Orient last layer corners

Goal: Orient the last layer corners so that all the top layer pieces have their yellow side facing up. Don't worry about their position yet, just their orientation.

Step 5: Orient last layer corners

There will be zero, one, or two corners already facing up. The algorithm is the same for each case, but the way you hold the cube is different depending on the case.

zero corners

Repeat this entire step until all four corners have their yellow side facing up.

one corners

two corners

Algorithm: R U R' U R U2 R'

Step 6: Position last layer corners

Goal: The last layer corners are already oriented correctly (with their yellow side facing up), but they need to be positioned correctly.

Step 6: Position last layer corners

If one side of the cube has two corners of the same color and the other sides don't, hold the cube so that side is in the back. Otherwise, it doesn't matter how you hold it.

Notice the lowercase l, which means left two layers. Repeat this step until all four corners are in place.

Algorithm:

(l' U R') D2 (R U' R') D2 (R l)

Step 7: Position last layer edges

Goal: The last layer edges are already oriented correctly (with their yellow side facing up), but they need to be positioned correctly. This is the last step!

Step 7: Position last layer edges

If one side has its last layer completely solved and the other sides don't, hold that side in the back. Otherwise, it doesn't matter how you hold it.

Repeat this step until all four edges are in place.

Algorithm:

(R U') (R U) (R U) (R U') R' U' R2

WOOOOO!