How to solve the Rubik’s Cube

There are many approaches on how to solve the Rubik’s Cube. These 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 show you how can you solve the cube with the beginner’s method the easiest way.

The method presented here divides the cube in some layers and you can solve every layer one by one applying an aglorithm. To get started you need to know the Rubik’s Cube notation ie what the letters mean in the algorithm

If you want to see how this cube solving method works then you might find interesting the online Rubik’s Cube solver program which uses similar steps. If you get stuck or you don’t understand something the software will help you.

To keep a record of your solution times try the online Rubik’s Cube Stopwatch with graphical interface and 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

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

2. White corners

In this step we have to arrange all the white corner pieces, so we finish the white face. This step is still intuitive, you can do it without learning any algorithm. If you don’t have patience I give you some clue.

3. Second layer

Until this point the procedure was intuitive, from now on we have to use some algorithms. In this step we will solve the first two layers (F2L). There are two algorithms we use, symmetric to each other, they’re called the F2L Right and F2L Left algorithms. These algorithms insert an 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 an other one in its place.

4. Yellow cross

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 colors of the sides now. Just make a yellow cross on the top, we will rearrange them later.

We can get four possible patterns on the top. In all of the cases we have to use different algorithms.

1. The cross is done, move to the next step
2. If you see an “L” shape hold the cube so the yellow faces are on the top of the cube and do the algorithm: F U R U’ R’ F’
3. In case of a horizontal line do the following: F R U R’U'F’
4. If all the yellow edge pieces are orienting the wrong way, use these algorithms twice. First make an “L” shape with the F R U R’U'F’ algorithm, then use F U R U’ R’ F’ to make the cross.

5. Yellow 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

Only the last layer corner pieces 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.

7. Orient Yellow corners

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, than to 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 an other yellow piece you want to orient to the front-right-top corner of the cube and do R’ D’ R D again while this specific piece is ok.

Repeat this until your Cube is solved.

Find a more detailed description about this last step with Java animations.

I hope this short tutorial made it easier for you to solve your Rubik’s Cube!