CFOP Method Tutorial: Cross, F2L, OLL & PLL
🚀 Ready to level up your solving speed? Dive into the advanced CFOP Method—learn Cross, F2L pairs, OLL, and PLL in about 8 minutes of reading with interactive demos!
Try the Interactive Simulator!
Want to practice the moves? Open the simulator.Open Simulator
What You'll Learn
- Efficient Cross planning and execution.
- Pairing and inserting F2L pairs intuitively and with algorithms.
- Performing full OLL to orient the last layer in a single step.
- Applying full PLL to permute the last layer pieces.
- Expert tips and finger-tricks to shave off precious seconds.
🔄 The 4-Step CFOP Roadmap
Click each step to trigger an animation on the cube and practice interactively!
1
Cross 🔲
Solve a cross on the bottom layer by aligning edge pieces to their centers. Plan your next F2L pairs as you complete the cross.
Show Interactive Example: Cross
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2
F2L 🤝
Pair each bottom-layer corner with its matching edge and insert it into the first two layers.
Show Interactive Example: Basic F2L Pair
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3
OLL 🎯
Orient the entire last layer in one step with full OLL. The popular Sune case is:
Show Interactive Example: Sune OLL
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4
PLL 🏁
Permute the last layer pieces to finish the cube. The U-perm swaps three edges:
Show Interactive Example: U-perm PLL
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CFOP Algorithm Overview
| Step | Goal / Common Algorithms | Focus / Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Cross 🔲 | Solve Cross (e.g., F R D R') | Plan moves efficiently. Aim for 8 moves or less. |
| F2L 🤝 | Pair & Insert F2L (e.g., U R U' R') | Focus on intuitive pairing first, then learn algs. Minimize rotations. |
| OLL 🎯 | Orient Last Layer (OLL) (e.g., Sune: R U R' U R U U R') | Recognize the 57 cases. Start with 2-Look OLL if needed. |
| PLL 🏁 | Permute Last Layer (PLL) (e.g., U-perm: M M U M M U U M M U M M) | Recognize the 21 cases. Start with 2-Look PLL. |
FAQs & Speed Tips
📈 Next Steps & Advanced Training
📚 Further Resources
- J Perm's YouTube Channel– Excellent video tutorials on CFOP, algorithms, and tips.
- SpeedSolving.com Wiki– Detailed lists of OLL/PLL algorithms and variations.
- csTimer– Popular online timer for practice sessions.