Complete PLL Algorithm Library
All 21 permutation cases with interactive demos and recognition strategies
What You Will Learn
- Master all 21 PLL (Permutation of Last Layer) algorithms to complete your CFOP toolkit
- Develop fast PLL recognition using headlights, solved blocks, and edge patterns
- Understand the G-perms, corner swaps, edge swaps, and diagonal swap cases
- Practice fingertrick-optimized algorithms for maximum speed and efficiency
- Use interactive 3D demonstrations to perfect execution from any angle
Prerequisites Recommended
For best results, know 2-look OLL or be comfortable orienting the last layer first. PLL is typically the final step of CFOP method. Review OLL Library
PLL Recognition is Critical
Fast PLL recognition is essential for speedcubing. Unlike OLL where you look at the top face, PLL recognition requires looking at all four sides of the last layer.
- Look for headlights (two matching colors on adjacent corners)
- Check for solved blocks (2x1 bars of matching color)
- Count the number of solved sides (0, 1, or 2)
- Use the two-look PLL method first to learn recognition patterns
x R' U R' D2 R U' R' D2 R2 x'- •Headlights on left
- •Three corners cycle clockwise
- •Edges already solved
x R2 D2 R U R' D2 R U' R x'- •Headlights on right
- •Three corners cycle counter-clockwise
- •Mirror of Aa perm
x' R U' R' D R U R' D' R U R' D R U' R' D' x- •Two sets of headlights (opposite faces)
- •Diagonal corner swap
- •No edges moved
R' U' F' R U R' U' R' F R R U' R' U' R U R' U R- •Headlights on front
- •No solved blocks
- •One of the longest PLLs
R R U R' U R' U' R U' R R D U' R' U R D'- •Headlights on front-left
- •Solved block in back-right
- •Complex double swap
R' U' R U D' R R U R' U R U' R U' R R D- •Headlights on front-right
- •Solved block in back-left
- •Mirror pattern to Ga
R R U' R U' R U R' U R R D' U R U' R' D- •Headlights on back-left
- •Solved block in front-right
- •Inverse of Ga
R U R' U' D R R U' R U' R' U R' U R R D'- •Headlights on back-right
- •Solved block in front-left
- •Inverse of Gb
M M U M M U U M M U M M- •Opposite edges swapped (front-back and left-right)
- •Two sets of headlights
- •No corners moved
R' U L' U U R U' R' U U R L- •Solved block (bar) on left side
- •Two headlights on the left
- •Adjacent corners swap
R U R' F' R U R' U' R' F R R U' R'- •Solved block (bar) on right side
- •Two headlights on the right
- •Mirror of Ja perm
R U R' U R U R' F' R U R' U' R' F R R U' R' U U R U' R'- •No headlights
- •All pieces out of place
- •Most complex looking PLL
R' U R U' R' F' U' F R U R' F R' F' R U' R- •No headlights
- •Mirror of Na perm
- •Very complex pattern
R U R' F' R U U R' U U R' F R U R U U R'- •Solved block in back left
- •Headlights on left
- •Complex pattern
R' U U R U U R' F R U R' U' R' F' R R- •Solved block in back right
- •Headlights on right
- •Mirror of Ra perm
R U R' U' R' F R R U' R' U' R U R' F'- •Headlights on front
- •One solved edge on back
- •Adjacent corners need to swap
R U' R U R U R U' R' U' R R- •Solved block on the left
- •3 edges need to cycle clockwise
- •Headlights on back
R R U R U R' U' R' U' R' U R'- •Solved block on the right
- •3 edges need to cycle counter-clockwise
- •Headlights on front
R' U R' U' y R' F' R R U' R' U R' F R F- •One headlight pair
- •Diagonal corner swap
- •Complex edge pattern
F R U' R' U' R U R' F' R U R' U' R' F R F'- •No headlights
- •Diagonal corner swap
- •One solved edge
M' U M M U M M U M' U U M M- •Adjacent edges swapped (two checkerboard patterns)
- •No headlights
- •Corners stay in place
Learning Strategy
- Start with 2-look PLL: one adjacent-corner swap, one diagonal-corner swap, plus Ua, Ub, H, and Z for edges.
- The four G-perms (Ga, Gb, Gc, Gd) are the most challenging - save them for last
- Learn PLL recognition from all angles - rotate the cube to find the best viewing angle
- Many PLLs have faster alternative algorithms - experiment to find what works for your turning style
- Use favorites to track cases you're currently learning or want to practice more
Recognition Training
Recognizing PLL cases quickly is a skill that requires dedicated practice. Here are the key strategies:
Recognition Strategies
- Headlights: Two matching corner colors on the same face (e.g., two red corners next to each other). Headlights appear in Ua, Ub, T, Ja, Jb, Aa, Ab, and some G-perms.
- Solved Blocks: A 2x1 block of matching color on one face. Blocks are key to recognizing J-perms, R-perms, and G-perms.
- Number of Solved Sides: Count how many sides have both edges matching the center. This quickly narrows down the possibilities.
- 2-Look Recognition: Start by learning to distinguish edge-only cases (Ua, Ub, H, Z) from corner swaps. This builds the foundation for full PLL recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most cubers take 1-3 months to learn all 21 PLL algorithms and their recognition. Start with the 6-algorithm 2-look PLL set, then add 2-3 new cases per week. Recognition practice is just as important as memorizing algorithms.
2-look PLL uses 6 algorithms: two corner-permutation cases and four edge-permutation cases. It is a practical first PLL system before learning all 21 cases because it builds recognition while keeping memorization manageable.
The four G-perms (Ga, Gb, Gc, Gd) are challenging because they have long algorithms (15 moves) and similar recognition patterns. They all involve double adjacent swaps and use D-moves or rotations. Many speedcubers save these for last and master the other 17 PLLs first.
Start with one algorithm per case - usually the primary algorithm listed. Once you're comfortable, try alternatives to see if they suit your turning style better. Some cubers use different algorithms for the same case when approaching from different angles.
Use the interactive demos on this page to study each case from different angles. Focus on unique features: headlights, blocks, and solved sides. Practice identifying cases before executing algorithms. The algorithm trainer can help you review cases in focused sessions.
Next Steps
Congratulations on mastering all 21 PLL algorithms! Here's what to focus on next: