F2L Guide: First Two Layers
Master corner-edge pairing with both intuitive understanding and optimized algorithms
What You'll Learn
- Understand the intuitive concepts behind F2L corner-edge pairing
- Master all 41 F2L cases with optimized algorithms
- Develop lookahead skills to spot the next pair while solving
- Recognize F2L patterns instantly for faster execution
- Build muscle memory through structured practice
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📚 Prerequisites
Before learning F2L, you should be comfortable solving the cross and understand basic CFOP method structure. Learn CFOP Method Basics →
Understanding F2L Intuitively
F2L is about pairing corner and edge pieces, then inserting them together. Instead of memorizing 41 algorithms, learn these 5 core concepts that will help you solve any F2L case naturally.
1
Basic Pairing
When the corner and edge are already matched together, simply position them above the slot and insert. This is the foundation - all other cases are variations of this.
2
Corner in Place
The corner is already in the correct slot. Extract it temporarily to bring in the edge, then reinsert both pieces together. Think: 'Take out, pair up, put back.'
3
Edge in Place
The edge is already in the correct slot. Extract it temporarily to bring in the corner, then insert the pair. Mirror logic of corner-in-place.
4
Both Pieces Separate
Both corner and edge are in the top layer but not paired. Use the slot to help pair them - insert one piece to match with the other, then extract the pair and reinsert correctly.
5
Split or Trapped Pairs
Pieces are stuck in wrong slots or separated across different F2L pairs. Extract both pieces to the top layer, pair them there, then insert into the correct slot.
💡 Pro Tip: Start with intuitive F2L to build understanding. Once comfortable, learn specific algorithms to optimize your speed.
All 41 F2L Cases
Ready to optimize? Here are all 41 F2L cases with efficient algorithms. Use filters to find specific scenarios.
41 algorithms
Basic Insert - Front Right
Paired corner-edge ready to insert
#1
Easy
•3 moves•basic•beginnerR U R'- •Corner and edge already paired
- •Pair positioned above the slot
- •White (or bottom color) facing you
Basic Insert - Front Left
Paired corner-edge, insert from left
#2
Easy
•3 moves•basic•beginnerL' U' L- •Pair already formed
- •Best approached from left side
- •Mirror of basic right insert
Basic Insert - Rotated Pair
Paired but oriented incorrectly
#3
Easy
•4 moves•basic•beginnerU R U' R'- •Corner and edge paired
- •White/bottom color facing up
- •Needs rotation before insert
Basic Insert - Hidden Pair
Paired in back, need to reposition
#4
Medium
•8 moves•basic•intermediateU' R U R' U U R U' R'- •Pair already connected
- •Hidden in back position
- •Both pieces in top layer
Corner In, Edge Out - Case 1
Corner solved, edge in U layer
#5
Medium
•8 moves•corner-correct•intermediateU R U' R' U' F' U F- •Corner already in correct slot
- •Edge floating in top layer
- •Edge white/bottom facing sideways
Corner In, Edge Out - Case 2
Corner in slot, edge oriented wrong
#6
Medium
•7 moves•corner-correct•intermediateR U R' U' R U R'- •Corner correctly placed
- •Edge in top with wrong orientation
- •Common case
Corner In, Edge Out - Case 3
Corner good, edge flipped
#7
Medium
•7 moves•corner-correct•intermediateR U' R' U R U' R'- •Corner in correct position
- •Edge has wrong orientation (flipped)
- •Need to flip edge before pairing
Corner In, Edge Front
Corner placed, edge in front
#8
Medium
•8 moves•corner-correct•intermediateU' R U R' U F' U' F- •Corner in slot
- •Edge directly in front
- •Common scenario
Corner In, Edge Up - Flipped
Corner solved, edge above and flipped
#9
Medium
•7 moves•corner-correct•intermediateR U U R' U' R U R'- •Corner correctly positioned
- •Edge directly above, wrong orientation
- •Fast algorithm
Corner In, Edge Adjacent
Corner in place, edge next to slot
#10
Medium
•7 moves•corner-correct•intermediateR U' R' U U F' U' F- •Corner in correct slot
- •Edge in adjacent position
- •Requires repositioning
Corner In, Edge Behind
Corner placed, edge in back
#11
Medium
•8 moves•corner-correct•intermediateU U R U R' U R U' R'- •Corner in slot
- •Edge in back position
- •Need to rotate 180°
Corner In, Edge Opposite
Corner good, edge on opposite side
#12
Medium
•8 moves•corner-correct•intermediateU' R U U R' U F' U' F- •Corner correctly placed
- •Edge on opposite face
- •Two-step positioning needed
Corner In, Edge Wrong Slot
Corner in slot, edge in wrong F2L slot
#13
Hard
•11 moves•corner-correct•advancedR U' R' U' R U R' U U R U' R'- •Corner correctly placed
- •Edge stuck in wrong F2L pair slot
- •Requires edge extraction first
Edge In, Corner Out - Case 1
Edge solved, corner in U layer
#14
Medium
•8 moves•edge-correct•intermediateU' R U' R' U R U R'- •Edge already in correct slot
- •Corner floating above
- •Corner white/bottom facing up
Edge In, Corner Out - Case 2
Edge placed, corner needs pairing
#15
Medium
•8 moves•edge-correct•intermediateU' R U R' U R U R'- •Edge in correct position
- •Corner above, wrong orientation
- •Very common
Edge In, Corner Twisted
Edge good, corner twisted wrong
#16
Medium
•7 moves•edge-correct•intermediateR U U R' U' R U' R'- •Edge in slot
- •Corner above but twisted
- •Fast case
Edge In, Corner Front
Edge placed, corner in front slot
#17
Medium
•8 moves•edge-correct•intermediateU R U U R' U R U' R'- •Edge correctly positioned
- •Corner directly in front
- •Standard repositioning needed
Edge In, Corner Back
Edge in slot, corner behind
#18
Medium
•8 moves•edge-correct•intermediateU U R U' R' U R U R'- •Edge in correct slot
- •Corner in back position
- •Need 180° rotation
Edge In, Corner Adjacent
Edge good, corner next to slot
#19
Medium
•8 moves•edge-correct•intermediateU R U R' U U R U' R'- •Edge in position
- •Corner adjacent to slot
- •Common configuration
Edge In, Corner Opposite
Edge placed, corner on other side
#20
Medium
•8 moves•edge-correct•intermediateU' R U U R' U U R U' R'- •Edge in slot
- •Corner on opposite face
- •Requires careful positioning
Edge In, Corner Up-Front
Edge solved, corner directly above
#21
Medium
•11 moves•edge-correct•intermediateR U' R' U U R U R' U R U' R'- •Edge in correct position
- •Corner directly above slot
- •Tricky orientation
Edge In, Corner Wrong Slot
Edge good, corner in wrong F2L slot
#22
Hard
•11 moves•edge-correct•advancedR U R' U' R U' R' U U R U' R'- •Edge correctly placed
- •Corner stuck in wrong slot
- •Need to extract corner first
Both Up - White Front
Both pieces up, white/bottom facing front
#23
Medium
•8 moves•both-wrong•intermediateU R U' R' U' F' U F- •Both pieces in top layer
- •White sticker facing forward
- •Most common misaligned case
Both Up - White Right
Both up, white/bottom on right face
#24
Medium
•7 moves•both-wrong•intermediateR U R' U' R U R'- •Both in top layer
- •White on right side of corner
- •Common beginner case
Both Up - White Left
Both up, white/bottom on left face
#25
Medium
•7 moves•both-wrong•intermediateF' U' F U' F' U F- •Both pieces in U layer
- •White on left of corner
- •Mirror of white-right case
Both Up - White Back
Both up, white/bottom facing back
#26
Medium
•7 moves•both-wrong•intermediateR U U R' U' R U R'- •Both in top layer
- •White facing away from you
- •Quick double-U solution
Both Up - White Up
Both pieces up, white/bottom facing up
#27
Medium
•11 moves•both-wrong•intermediateR U' R' U R U' R' U R U' R'- •Both in U layer
- •White sticker on top face
- •Awkward orientation
Corner Up, Edge Front-Up
Corner in U, edge on front face pointing up
#28
Medium
•8 moves•both-wrong•intermediateU' R U R' U R U R'- •Corner in top layer
- •Edge on front face, oriented up
- •Common scenario
Corner Up, Edge Front-Down
Corner in U, edge on front pointing down
#29
Medium
•8 moves•both-wrong•intermediateU R U U R' U R U' R'- •Corner in top layer
- •Edge on front, pointing down
- •Need edge flip
Corner Up-Front, Edge Front
Corner above front slot, edge in front
#30
Medium
•11 moves•both-wrong•intermediateR U R' U U R U' R' U R U' R'- •Corner directly above target slot
- •Edge on front face
- •Tricky alignment
Corner Front, Edge Up-Adjacent
Corner in front, edge in top adjacent
#31
Medium
•11 moves•both-wrong•intermediateR U' R' U' R U R' U U R U' R'- •Corner on front face of cube
- •Edge in top layer, next to slot
- •Multi-step solution
Both Separated - Far Apart
Corner and edge on opposite sides
#32
Medium
•8 moves•both-wrong•intermediateU' R U' R' U U R U' R'- •Pieces far apart in top layer
- •Need to bring together first
- •Common random scramble case
Both Adjacent - Next to Each Other
Corner and edge side by side
#33
Medium
•7 moves•both-wrong•intermediateR U R' U R U U R'- •Pieces next to each other in U
- •Not yet paired correctly
- •Quick solution
Corner Right-Front, Edge Up
Corner on right-front edge, edge floating
#34
Medium
•8 moves•both-wrong•intermediateU R U U R' U' R U R'- •Corner on vertical edge between faces
- •Edge in top layer
- •Intermediate positioning
Opposite Colors Facing
Both up, opposite orientations
#35
Hard
•11 moves•both-wrong•advancedR U' R' U U R U R' U R U' R'- •Both pieces in U layer
- •Colors facing opposite directions
- •Requires multiple steps
Mirror Orientation
Both up, mirrored from each other
#36
Hard
•11 moves•both-wrong•advancedR U U R' U R U U R' U R U' R'- •Both in top layer
- •Symmetrically opposed
- •Complex pairing needed
Both Flipped Wrong
Both pieces wrongly oriented
#37
Hard
•11 moves•both-wrong•advancedR U R' U' R U' R' U U R U' R'- •Both in U layer but badly oriented
- •Neither piece ready to pair naturally
- •Challenging case
Split Pair - Vertical
Pair split vertically in slot
#38
Hard
•11 moves•advanced•split-pairR U R' U' R U' R' U U R U' R'- •Corner in bottom of slot
- •Edge in top of same slot
- •Not paired but vertically aligned
Split Pair - Horizontal
Pair separated horizontally
#39
Hard
•11 moves•advanced•split-pairR U U R' U' R U R' U U R U' R'- •Corner in one slot
- •Edge in adjacent slot area
- •Horizontally separated
Weird Slot Position
Both pieces in wrong slots
#40
Hard
•15 moves•advanced•complexR U' R' U R U R' U U R U R' U R U U R'- •Corner in one F2L slot
- •Edge in another F2L slot
- •Very awkward configuration
Trapped Pair
Pair formed but trapped in wrong position
#41
Hard
•11 moves•advanced•trappedR U R' U U R U U R' U R U' R'- •Pair already connected
- •Stuck in wrong slot or position
- •Need complete extraction
Lookahead Training
F2L speed comes from lookahead - spotting the next pair while solving the current one. Here's how to develop this crucial skill:
- Practice solving F2L slowly while keeping your eyes on the cube at all times. Never look away.
- Track edge pieces during cross solution to know where they are before F2L starts.
- While inserting a pair, scan the top layer for the next corner-edge combination.
- Use pauses between solves to consciously identify all four F2L pairs and their positions.
F2L Learning Strategy
- Start with intuitive F2L - understanding the logic makes learning algorithms easier later.
- Practice the 4 basic insert cases until they become automatic muscle memory.
- Learn corner-correct and edge-correct cases next - these are the most common scenarios.
- Don't try to learn all 41 cases at once. Master 3-5 cases per week for sustainable progress.
- Focus on recognition speed. A fast algorithm executed after a slow recognition is still slow overall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's Next?
Once you're comfortable with F2L, it's time to master the last layer: