How to solve the Rubiks Cube

For the Advanced method click here.There are many approaches on how to solve
the Rubiks 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 Im going to show you the easiest way to solve
the cube using the beginners 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 Rubiks 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 Rubiks Cube solver program interesting which uses similar steps. If you get
stuck or you dont 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 Rubiks 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
Lets 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 Rubiks 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 dont have patience Ill give you
some clues. Move the white corner under the spot where its 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. Theyre 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 doesnt matter if the pieces are not on their final
places so we dont 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 youll 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 Rubiks 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 dont 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 dont 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 doesnt make sense, check out a few examples clicking here.

Repeat this until your Cube is solved