CFOP Method Tutorial: Cross, F2L, OLL & PLL
Learn the most widely used 3x3 speedsolving method step by step
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!
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.
Which Path Should I Take?
Not sure where to start? Answer one question to find your personalized learning path:
What's your current CFOP experience level?
CFOP at a Glance
Choose Your Learning Path
Beginner Path
New to CFOP? Start here!
- ✓Only 16 algorithms
- ✓Reduce pauses with practice
- ✓2-Look OLL & PLL
Intermediate Path
Know basics? Level up!
- ✓Full OLL (57 cases)
- ✓Full PLL (21 cases)
- ✓Reach sub-20 times
Quick Reference
Already know CFOP?
- ✓Algorithm lookup
- ✓Practice drills
- ✓Optimization tips
CFOP Progression Timeline
See what times you can expect as you master each stage:
Beginner Method
Your starting point (layer-by-layer)
2-Look CFOP (16 algorithms)
✅ Cross: 3-5 sec | ✅ F2L: 15-20 sec | ✅ OLL+PLL: 8-12 sec
Full CFOP (78 algorithms)
✅ Cross: 2-3 sec | ✅ F2L: 10-12 sec | ✅ OLL: 2-3 sec | ✅ PLL: 2-3 sec
Optimized CFOP + Lookahead
Advanced F2L, efficient cross planning, minimal pauses
World-Class Level
World ClassPerfect execution, advanced techniques, 1000s of hours of practice
Start Here: 2-Look CFOP (Beginner-Friendly)
Why 2-Look First?
Learning full CFOP (78 algorithms) is overwhelming. Start with 2-Look CFOP:
2-Look OLL (10 algorithms)
First: Orient edges (3 cases) → Then: Orient corners (7 cases)
Learn 2-Look OLL2-Look PLL (6 algorithms)
First: Permute corners (2 cases) → Then: Permute edges (4 cases)
Learn 2-Look PLL📅Your 2-Week Learning Plan
The 4-Step CFOP Roadmap
Click each step to trigger an animation on the cube and practice interactively!
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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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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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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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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Why Choose CFOP?
CFOP vs other popular methods:
Beginner Method
CFOP
RecommendedRoux
ZZ
| Method | Avg Moves | Algorithms | Difficulty | Speed Potential | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner Method | 110-120 | 7-10 | Easy | 60+ seconds | Easy to learn, Good introduction | Very slow, Inefficient |
| CFOPRecommended | 55-60 | 78 (16 for 2-Look) | Medium | 10-20 seconds | Most popular, Proven method, Great resources | Many algorithms to memorize |
| Roux | 45-50 | 10-15 | Hard | 10-15 seconds | Fewer moves, Less algorithms | Harder to learn, Requires intuition |
| ZZ | 50-55 | 15-20 | Hard | 10-15 seconds | No cube rotations, Efficient | Harder EO step, Less popular |
Practice Tips & Advanced Techniques
What: Tracking your next F2L pair while solving the current one.
How to practice: Solve at 50% speed (deliberately slow, 1-2 seconds per turn). Force yourself to identify the next pair before finishing the current one.
CFOP Algorithm Overview
Key CFOP Method Algorithms
| 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 U2 R') | Recognize the 57 cases. Start with 2-Look OLL if needed. |
| PLL 🏁 | Permute Last Layer (PLL) (e.g., U-perm: M2 U M2 U2 M2 U M2) | Recognize the 21 cases. Start with 2-Look PLL. |
Frequently Asked Questions
CFOP is a speedcubing method that stands for Cross, F2L (First Two Layers), OLL (Orient Last Layer), and PLL (Permute Last Layer). It is the most popular method used by world-class speedcubers and consists of 4 main steps to solve a 3x3x3 Rubik's Cube efficiently.
The CFOP method can be understood in about 15 minutes of reading. However, mastering it takes weeks to months of practice. Beginners can start with 2-look OLL and PLL (about 16 algorithms total) before progressing to full CFOP with all 78 algorithms.
F2L stands for First Two Layers, where you pair and insert corner-edge pairs. There are 41 possible F2L cases when using full algorithms, but many speedcubers start with an intuitive approach before memorizing all cases.
Two-look OLL and PLL uses fewer algorithms (about 16 total) and is quicker to master for beginners. Learning full OLL (57 cases) and full PLL (21 cases) reduces move count and can significantly speed up your solves once you've memorized the cases. Start with 2-look and progress to full CFOP gradually.
The beginner method solves the cube layer by layer using about 7 algorithms and is easier to learn. CFOP is more advanced, solving the first two layers simultaneously (F2L) and using one-look algorithms for the last layer. CFOP requires learning more algorithms but is significantly faster, enabling sub-20 second solves with practice.
Focus on optimizing your Cross by planning ahead (ideally during inspection), reduce cube rotations during F2L, practice look-ahead to seamlessly transition between F2L pairs, and drill OLL and PLL recognition. Use our Interactive Simulator to practice each stage.
No. Start with 2-look OLL and PLL which requires only about 16 algorithms. Once comfortable, gradually learn full OLL (57 cases) and full PLL (21 cases) over time. Many speedcubers take several months to learn all algorithms while continuously improving their times.
Additional 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.