The Rubik's cube—a 3x3x3 cube of mixed colored blocks—has been perplexing users since it was created in the 1970s. Solving it is hard enough, merely "speedcubers," or those who solve the cube at breakneck speeds, accept renewed interest in how to solve a Rubik's cube for people around the world.
If you desire to be a world tape-breaking speedcuber, you accept to get-go small. This guide on how to solve a Rubik'southward cube for beginners gives an overview of the basic method, an introduction to Rubik's cube algorithms, and fifty-fifty some advanced tactics for those of you looking for some tips to boost your speed.
A Brief History of the Rubik'southward Cube
The Rubik'due south cube was invented by Ernő Rubik, a Hungarian sculptor and compages professor. Rubik hoped to create something that would assist him sympathize how a structure consisting of multiple pieces could have those pieces moved without destroying the mechanism. It wasn't until he scrambled the pieces and had to prepare it that he discovered its potential employ as a 3-D puzzle.
The first cubes, a exam design, were released into Budapest toy shops in 1977 before existence purchased past American toy company Ideal Toys. Ideal rebranded the cube as the Rubik's cube to honor the creator in 1980, and the toy became hugely popular in the following decade.
Eventually, the Rubik's cube savage out of popularity in the United States and many other western countries; however, it remained popular in China and what was then the USSR because the tendency had picked upward later in Communist countries around the globe. The popularity of the cubes in Communist countries, especially ones every bit populous as Communist china, ultimately kept the toys in production.
The Rubik's cube over again became popular in the 21st century, due in role to the formation of the World Cube Association in 2003. Speedcubing had always been pop among Rubik'southward cube enthusiasts, only the formation of this organization helped push fans to become ever faster in their solving techniques.
Currently, China's Yusheng Du holds the world record for solving a single cube in only three.47 seconds. But there are other records, too:
- Jack Cai from Australia holds the tape for solving a unmarried cube blindfolded in xvi.22 seconds
- Feliks Zemdegs from Commonwealth of australia has the single-cube, one-handed record at 6.88 seconds
- Daniel Rose-Levine from the US has the single-cube world tape for solving with simply his anxiety, at xvi.96 seconds
How to Solve a Rubik'due south Cube: Of import Vocab to Know
When information technology comes to how to solve a Rubik's cube, it might expect like following a series of simple steps. In reality, though, it's quite complex.
Before y'all even start trying to follow the numerous strategies for solving, get familiar with the vocabulary. This will make it easier to follow the confusing Rubik'southward cube algorithms and permutations you must use to solve information technology!
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Edge
An edge piece on a Rubik's cube is the part where two visible colors meet. In that location are 12 edges in full.
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Corner
Equally expected, a corner piece is located in the corner of each side of the cube. They accept three visible colors, and at that place are eight corners in total.
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Middle
Center cubes are located in the center of each side and accept one visible colour. In that location are six in total, and, unlike the rest of the cubes, they do not move position. Because they are fixed, the colour of the center cube is used to represent each side of the Rubik'south cube.
Layer
The part of a cube you lot plow, consisting of nine blocks. No matter which way y'all concur the cube, there are three layers.
Faces
Like all cubes, the Rubik's cube has six sides, or faces. When executing Rubik's cube algorithms with the beginner'southward method, it'south assumed you lot're looking at the cube with the white face, pregnant the Rubik's cube logo should be on top.
With this in heed, Rubik's cube note works every bit follows:
| Face | Note |
| Left Face | L |
| Right Face | R |
| Up Confront | U |
| Down Face (bottom of cube) | D |
| Front Face (facing you) | F |
| Back Face (facing away from you) | B |
| Middle Confront (heart "slice") | M |
| Entire Cube | Y |
Regular/Inverted Turn
There are two ways to turn a layer: regular and inverted. A regular turn is a clockwise plow, and an inverted turn is a counterclockwise plow.
In Rubik's cube notation, an inverted plow is represented with a lowercase i, such as Ri. This would mean that y'all rotate the right side counterclockwise.
Algorithm
A Rubik'south cube algorithm is an functioning, or a series of rotations, that reorients the blocks into a desired issue. They are ordinarily written with a uppercase letter denoting the face up that should be rotated, a lowercase i if that rotation should be counterclockwise, and a number 2 if it should be rotated twice.
Permutation
Permutation refers to the deed of moving the blocks into the desired germination, or the arrangement of the pieces.
How to Solve a Rubik's Cube: vii-Step Guide
The beginner'southward method for solving a Rubik's cube is nonetheless fairly difficult, and then take lots of breaks and don't be afraid to employ a solving tool if y'all're actually struggling with a certain department. The more than you exercise, the amend you lot'll get. Don't surrender!
Note the two cubes of the same color beneath each arm of the white cross. (Ruwix.com)
Step i: Create White Cross
Begin past belongings the cube with the white confront. You probably won't start with the white face up finished, then call up that a face'south colour is determined by the center cube. That means that the confront with the white center cube should be facing up.
The first stride to the beginner'southward method is to create a cross on the white face. There'due south no strict algorithm to perform here, every bit in that location are then many potential permutations of the cube. Instead, focus on creating the white cantankerous using intuitive movements.
When yous've created the white cross, there should be two blocks of the same color aligned on each face directly below the white block on the top face. If that isn't the case, keep working with the cube until those pieces are properly aligned, or the next step will exist much more than hard.
Note the meridian layer's three cubes being the same colour as the middle cube. (Ruwix.com)
Step 2: Solve White Corners
Now that the white cross is in place, it'south fourth dimension to cease this confront by solving the white corners. Use the white cantankerous foundation to organize your side colour. By the time yous stop this step, you should accept three cubes of the aforementioned color in the top layer and one cube in the centre of the middle layer of the left, right, back, and front faces.
To solve this step, yous'll need to run through some algorithms, or rotation patterns that event in a specific cube placement.
Rotate the bottom layer until a white edge piece is positioned below an empty spot on the top face. Find the direction of the white piece you desire to marshal below and and so run through the algorithm until the white cube is in place. If you're not quite fix for memorizing Rubik'due south cube algorithms, run through the simple algorithm below instead.
If you find that your center pieces take migrated, y'all'll demand to get your white cross set up again. If you run through these algorithms properly, the heart pieces should cease up back where they began.
Simple Algorithm
| Algorithm | Explanation |
| Ri Di R D | - Rotate the right face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the down confront counterclockwise.
- Rotate the right face clockwise.
- Rotate the down face up clockwise.
|
If your white cube faces down after you've run through this algorithm, run through it three more than times. If your white cube faces left afterward running through the algorithm, repeat it 5 times.
A white sticker facing right. (Ruwix.com)
If Your White Sticker Faces Right
| Algorithm | Explanation |
| Ri Di R | - Rotate the right face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the down face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the correct face clockwise.
|
A white sticker facing left. (Ruwix.com)
If Your White Sticker Faces Left
| Algorithm | Caption |
| F D Fi | - Rotate the front face clockwise.
- Rotate the down face clockwise.
- Rotate the front face counterclockwise.
|
A white sticker on the bottom. (Ruwix.com)
If Your White Cube Is on the Bottom
| Algorithm | Explanation |
| Ri D2 R D Ri Di R | - Rotate the right face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the downwards confront clockwise ii times.
- Rotate the right face clockwise.
- Rotate the down face clockwise.
- Rotate the right face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the down confront counterclockwise.
- Rotate the right face clockwise.
|
Border pieces mismatched. (Ruwix.com)
If the White Sticker Is on Top, but the Top Layer Isn't Nevertheless Colors
| Algorithm | Explanation |
| L D Li Ri Di R | - Rotate the left face clockwise.
- Rotate the down confront clockwise.
- Rotate the left face up counterclockwise.
- Rotate the right face up counterclockwise.
- Rotate the downward face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the right confront clockwise.
|
Any position the white cube is in now, repeat with the advisable algorithm from above until the colors match upwards. There should be three of the aforementioned color on the meridian layer and one in the heart of the second layer.
Step iii: Solve Centre Layer
At this point, the white face should be completed, and each other confront, except the face up contrary the white confront, should take three blocks of the aforementioned color in the acme layer and one cake too of that color in the center of the confront.
Using the location of the tiptop layer middle slice, nosotros volition now rotate the cubes until we get the bottom 2 layers to all exist the same colour.
To brainstorm solving the middle layer, rotate your cube until the completed white face is on the bottom. Don't worry well-nigh messing information technology up considering you lot're non looking at it—every bit long as you follow the algorithms, everything will go dorsum into position.
The goal of this stage is to get the colored edge pieces into their correct place on each face. In that location are three algorithms you can utilize to achieve this. Find which one suits your needs and you should have this section solved in no time.
Top layer, center cube needs to get to second layer left. (Ruwix.com)
If Y'all Need the Center Pinnacle Piece to Go to the Second Layer Left
| Algorithm | Explanation |
| Ui Li U Fifty U F Ui Fi | - Rotate the upwards face up counterclockwise.
- Rotate the left face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the upward face clockwise.
- Rotate the left face up clockwise.
- Rotate the up confront clockwise.
- Rotate the forepart face clockwise.
- Rotate the upwardly face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the front confront counterclockwise.
|
Top layer, middle cube needs to go to 2d layer correct. (Ruwix.com)
If You Need the Center Peak Piece to Become to the Second Layer Right
| Algorithm | Explanation |
| U R Ui Ri Ui Fi U F | - Rotate the upward face up clockwise.
- Rotate the right confront clockwise.
- Rotate the up face up counterclockwise.
- Rotate the right confront counterclockwise.
- Rotate the up face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the forepart face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the upwards face clockwise.
- Rotate the forepart face clockwise.
|
Top layer cube is not in the proper position. (Ruwix.com)
If an Border Slice Is Not in the Top Layer or Information technology'due south Oriented Incorrect
| Algorithm | Caption |
| U R Ui Ri Ui Fi U F U2 U R Ui Ri Ui Fi U F | - Rotate the up face up clockwise.
- Rotate the right face clockwise.
- Rotate the up face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the right face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the upwards face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the front face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the up confront clockwise.
- Rotate the front end face clockwise.
- Rotate the upwards face clockwise two times.
- Rotate the upward face up clockwise.
- Rotate the right face clockwise.
- Rotate the up confront counterclockwise.
- Rotate the right face up counterclockwise.
- Rotate the upward face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the front face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the up face clockwise.
- Rotate the front end face clockwise.
|
Yellow cross. (Ruwix.com)
Step 4: Create Yellow Cross
This stride is simply like the white cross, but at that place are a lot more than pieces to retrieve about since you've already solved a neat deal of the puzzle. At this stage, don't worry if the edge pieces don't friction match the confront color. We'll piece of work on that later.
There are three different patterns you might encounter on your cube. Look at the top face up and consider only the shape of the yellow cross—ignore the edge pieces for now. Y'all might see i unmarried xanthous dot in the center, you might run into an L shape, or you might see a line.
One time yous effigy out your correct arrangement, run through the post-obit algorithm every bit many times as specified below.
| Algorithm | Explanation |
| F R U Ri Ui Fi | - Rotate the forepart face up clockwise.
- Rotate the right face up clockwise.
- Rotate the up confront clockwise.
- Rotate the right face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the up face up counterclockwise.
- Rotate the front confront counterclockwise.
|
Yellowish eye dot. (Ruwix.com)
If You Have A Unmarried Yellow Dot
Execute the algorithm three times.
Yellow "L" shape. Note the orientation, with the legs encasing the summit left border. (Ruwix.com)
If You lot Have an L Shape
Rotate your entire cube until the legs of the L shape encase the edge piece in the top left. Execute algorithm two times.
Yellow line formation. (Ruwix.com)
If You Accept a Line
Rotate your entire cube until the line is horizontal. Execute the algorithm once.
The yellow cross has been completed, but the edge pieces aren't in the correct position. (Ruwix.com)
Step 5: Swap Yellowish Edges in Summit Layer
Now it'due south time to make sure the yellowish cross is oriented correctly and so that the colour of the centre cube of the top layer matches the face up information technology's on. We'll be using an algorithm that will switch the forepart-top and left-top edges.
Rotate your summit layer until you lot find two edges that need to be swapped with each other. If you tin can't find two edges from dissimilar faces located on the side by side face over, you can run through the algorithm twice.
| Algorithm | Explanation |
| R U Ri U R U2 Ri U | - Rotate the correct confront clockwise.
- Rotate the up face clockwise.
- Rotate the right face up counterclockwise.
- Rotate the up face clockwise.
- Rotate the right face clockwise.
- Rotate the up face up clockwise two times.
- Rotate the right face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the up confront clockwise.
|
Yellow corners demand to be positioned properly so they tin can go into their correct spots. (Ruwix.com)
Step vi: Position Yellow Corners
Let'southward go those remaining yellow corners where they belong. Right at present, they just need to go into the right spots—it doesn't matter if the orientation is wrong.
First, await for a yellowish corner that is in the right position, fifty-fifty if it isn't yet on the top face. Rotate the unabridged cube in your hands until the correctly positioned yellow cube is in the front end-correct-elevation position. Then, cycle through the algorithm below until the other three corners are in the right position.
If you tin't notice a yellow cube in the correct spot, keep repeating the algorithm on a random corner until y'all get it in the correct spot.
| Algorithm | Explanation |
| U R Ui Li U Ri Ui L | - Rotate the up face clockwise.
- Rotate the right confront clockwise.
- Rotate the up face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the left face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the upwards face up clockwise.
- Rotate the upwardly right face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the up face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the left confront clockwise.
|
A finished cube. (Ruwix.com)
Step 7: Solve Final Layer Corners
We're in the abode stretch! Now that our yellow cubes are positioned, we need to properly orient the corners.
Concord your cube with the upper slice you want to orient in the front-right-height corner. Run through the beneath algorithm until that piece is in its correct position. Once that one is properly oriented, repeat the process until the next piece is in position, and so on, until the cube is solved.
Don't panic if it starts to look as though y'all've messed the whole cube upwards. It will go dorsum to normal once you've finished getting all the xanthous corners into identify. Don't skip any turns, even if it looks similar you lot're done, as this can mess things up!
You can rotate the pinnacle layer between complete repetitions of the algorithm to put cubes in place.
| Algorithm | Explanation |
| Ri Di R D | - Rotate the correct confront counterclockwise.
- Rotate the down face counterclockwise.
- Rotate the correct face clockwise.
- Rotate the downward confront clockwise.
|
How to Solve a Rubik'due south Cube: 3 Alternative Solutions
The beginner's method to solve a Rubik's cube is merely that: for beginners. If y'all want to get into speedcubing, yous'll need to master some of the trickier, but more efficient, methods.
#1: Fridrich Method
The Fridrich Method, besides chosen CFOP, is 1 of the most prominent in speedcubing. It'due south both fast and efficient, eliminating many of the repetitive algorithms in favor of accuracy and saving moves, but information technology's also definitely not like shooting fish in a barrel. It's recommended that you main the beginner method earlier moving on to the Fridrich method and then you have a cadre agreement of how the cube works.
The Fridrich Method works by dividing the cube into layers, which are solved individually using algorithms, rather than solving each face. It consists of four steps, outlined beneath, each with its ain set of rules and algorithms.
Footstep 1: Cantankerous
In this step, you lot'll be forming a cross. Most speedcubers start with the white cross for consistency'due south sake, but you can use any colour y'all like. Nosotros'll refer to this equally the white cross.
For speedcubing, start with the white face down. You lot tin can solve the cube with the white confront in whatever direction, but practicing with it down volition help meliorate your speed.
Because there are then many possible cube arrangements, this step is done by intuition. Practice a lot to become a deep understanding of how to rotate pieces to form a cross quickly.
Class the white cross so that the sides of each white border match the color of the lateral center pieces. Turn your edge pieces then that they are in the right position, and move on to the next step.
The cross stage takes an average of 7 rotations for speedcubers. The fewer rotations, the less time lost in this stride.
Step 2: First Two Layers (F2L)
The second step, in which the get-go two layers are solved, is also typically done intuitively, although algorithms do exist. The layers are solved simultaneously, significant you should non solve each side individually.
At that place are 41 possibilities for what your cube could await similar at this point. Yous'll need to solve the four corners of the commencement layer and the 4 middle-layer edge pieces. To do this, combine matching corner and border pieces into blocks. Side by side, solve those blocks to their proper position and repeat until the first two levels are solved.
Step three: Orient Last Layer (OLL)
Now that the first two layers are done, we need to do the superlative layer. Our goal in this step is to go the terminal layer oriented correctly—we don't need to worry if the side colors don't match until the side by side step. We'll get the upper confront all one color, which will be yellow if we have our white face up on the bottom.
There are 2 possible approaches to this stage: the ii-look OLL and the one-expect OLL.
Two-Look OLL
The first step of the ii-expect OLL, which is the easier but slower method, is to orient the last layer border pieces. To do this, there are three algorithms. You might recognize these from the beginner-method stage in which you create the white cantankerous.
The second step is to orient the last layer's corner pieces. This i has vii different algorithms depending on the configuration of your top face.
I-Expect OLL
In this version, you'll use one algorithm to solve all variations and orient the last layer. You lot have to learn many algorithms in club to execute this stage properly, but information technology saves 2 to four seconds if you're speedcubing. These algorithms are organized by the shape they brand on the upper confront, so practice this stage until each algorithm feels natural when you see the corresponding cube arrangement.
Footstep 4: Permutation of Last Layer (PLL)
At that place are 21 potential arrangements of your cube at this stage, which ways that you have 21 different algorithms to larn. Once once more, in that location are two different methods: two-look and one-look PLL.
Two-Await PLL
In this version, you'll solve the cube within two algorithms, which ways you take to acquire fewer algorithms overall. Still, if you want to solve cubes at world-tape speeds, yous'll want to know all of them. This version is great for beginners, but those who want to exist competitive will demand to work on mastering one-expect PLL.
First, you'll need to permute the corner pieces on the pinnacle face using 1 of ii algorithms: the Aa-perm and the E-perm.
Next, permute the edges. In one case you've correctly permuted the corners, at that place are but four variations and therefore four algorithms: Ua-perm, Ub-Perm, Z-perm, and H-perm.
Follow the appropriate algorithm and you lot'll have solved the cube!
Ane-Look PLL
One-expect PLL will have you solve the Rubik'southward cube with just one algorithm. This requires a lot of memorization but can salvage you valuable seconds if you're competing.
Practice these algorithms a lot and then they become second nature to you.
#2: Roux Method
The Roux Method, like the Fridrich Method, is for those experienced with solving Rubik's cubes. If you lot want to reduce your fourth dimension from the beginner's method, learning the Roux Method tin can be a groovy way to accomplish that.
In that location are iv main steps in the Roux Method.
Step 1: Build a 1x2x3 Block on I Side
Start with the L-side if you're right-handed. By the end of this step, the edges of the back, down, and forepart faces, as well as the corners of the down, back, and left faces and the left and right centers, will be solved.
How you approach this pace volition depend on the configuration of your cube. With so many potential solutions, y'all'll need to solve this department intuitively rather than by executing algorithms.
Step 2: Build a 1x2x3 Cake on the Opposite Side
Don't worry about being optimal here, since there are however then many possible combinations. The creator of this method suggests focusing start on solving a 1x2x2 cake by putting together a corner-edge pair and then adding in the missing edge before solving for the final corner and edge. This lets you focus on just 2 elements rather than all of them at once.
Algorithms depend on your unique configuration, so practice matching the configuration with the correct algorithm until information technology comes naturally to yous.
Pace 3: Solve the Remaining 4 Corners
This stage is i of the near difficult in the Roux Method. It'due south recommended that you acquire the cases piddling past little, building on each one as you practise more.
There are 48 potential ways your cube could be arranged here. How yous solve the cube will depend on the arrangement, so piece of work through this collection of algorithms with lots of different variations to go the hang of them all.
Step 4: Solve Remaining six Edges and four Centers
With so much of the cube finished, on boilerplate, most people demand fewer than 15 moves to solve the cube from hither.
The beginning step of this stage is to orient the edges. You practice this just by moving the middle and upwardly faces, saving valuable move since the other faces are already oriented correctly.
Next, you'll solve the right and left edges of the upwards face, which should complete the left and right side layers as well.
Finally, solve the center and edges of the middle face up. There are only three possible cases for this stage, which eliminates some of the necessary memorization, though there is potential for optimization.
#3: ZZ Method
The ZZ Method, created in 2006 by Zebigniew Zborowski, is a newer method of solving the Rubik'due south cube that's divided into three stages.
Step i: EOLine
In this step, your goal is to orient all the cube'south edges (EO) while getting the DF and DB edges in line (Line). If solved in this fashion, you can finish the cube past rotating only the L, R, and U faces rather than all of them.
This stage takes an average of six moves to solve but shouldn't have more than ix; all the same, it's the well-nigh difficult of the steps because information technology requires a lot of forethought.
Step 2: Beginning Ii Layers (F2L)
In this stride, you'll exist solving the kickoff two layers. To reach this, build 2 1x2x3 blocks on either side of the line you made in the EOLine phase. Again, now that the edges are oriented, you just demand to rotate the L, R, and U faces to complete the cube.
Stride 3: Concluding Layer (LL)
As you might have guessed, the concluding step is to solve the last layer. Similar some other Rubik'southward cube solving methods, you tin can solve the cube with a two-wait organisation (two algorithms) or a one-await organisation (ane algorithm). The two-look arrangement has xx potential algorithms to be learned, while the one-look system has a whopping 493 potential algorithms.
How to Solve a Rubik's Cube for Beginners: 3 Primal Tips
Learning to solve the Rubik's cube is no small feat! Even the beginner's method tin can be tricky to execute well, so hither are some quick tips to help you main the cube.
#i: Exercise, Practice, Do
Solving a Rubik's cube is hard. There's no simple method—the beginner'due south method is yet a long and detailed procedure that requires learning new vocabulary and following steps that might be unfamiliar to you.
The only way to get better is to exercise, so go on working at it until you can experience your speed increasing as you go. Don't give up if you feel similar y'all're not getting anywhere—each repetition brings you lot closer to memorization!
#2: Utilize a Cube Solver If Necessary
Sometimes information technology tin experience every bit though you get impossibly stuck, only a Rubik'south cube solver can be the answer. If you can follow the steps of a solver to run across how to become yourself out of a pickle, you lot'll be better prepared next time y'all run into a similar situation. Don't be agape to let someone bear witness yous how to do it!
#3: Get-go Simple
Even if you desire to get into speedcubing, kickoff elementary: master the beginner's method earlier yous move on to others, as yous'll demand that solid foundation to sympathise how the cube works and how to move your fingers more efficiently.
One time you've done that, you tin can motility on to advanced methods and learn all the pinkie tricks that brand speedcubing possible.
What's Next?
Looking to impress your friends with some new tricks? Learn how to brand slime!
In search of quirky and fun extracurricular activities, similar solving a Rubik's cube? Learn more than about what extracurriculars are and why you need them.
Unsure how to plow your passion for speedcubing into something you can write about on your higher applications? Read more about how to write about extracurriculars hither!
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