Beginner's Guide: How to Solve a Rubik's Cube

The cube has 6 faces and 3 layers. For notation, you'll see letters like R (right) or U (up). A prime (') means counter-clockwise. Think of R' like turning a book page backward.

Goal: Make a plus sign on the white face with matching side colors. No algorithms yet — just intuitive edge-piece moves. If an edge is flipped, place it on the bottom layer and spin F R' D to realign.

Insert the four white corners to finish the first layer. Find a white corner piece on the bottom layer directly below its target slot. Use the algorithm below. If the corner is in the top layer but twisted or in the wrong spot, use R U R' to drop it to the bottom layer first.

Solve the middle layer edges. Find an edge piece on the top layer that belongs in the middle layer (it won't have yellow on it). Position it above its matching center color. Then, use one of the algorithms below depending on whether it needs to go left or right.

Form a yellow cross on the top face. Hold the cube so the L is in the top-left corner or the line is horizontal, then apply F R U R' U' F'.

Make the entire top face yellow. Position an incorrectly oriented corner at front-right-top and apply R U R' U R U U R'.

Position the yellow pieces correctly using corner and edge permutations to finish the solve.

Finally, permute the edges with a U-perm to complete the cube.

And boom — cube solved! 🎉