Beginner step 2

How to Solve White Corners on a Rubik's Cube

White corners finish the first layer. Each corner has three colors, so the right corner must sit between all three matching centers before it is solved.

Last reviewed: May 31, 2026 by the Cubzor Editorial Team.

Start by matching your cube

What does your cube look like?

Hold the white face on the bottom. For every corner, find the slot between the two side centers that match the corner colors.

Top corner case

Move this corner above its matching slot first.

Corner is in the top layer

If you see: A white corner is on top and has the two side colors for the empty slot.
Hold it: Place the corner above its slot with the empty slot at front-right.
Do this: Use R U R' U' until the corner drops in with white on the bottom.
Result: The white face gains one solved corner and the side row still matches.

Twisted corner

Repeat the trigger only until white faces down.

Corner is in the right slot but twisted

If you see: The corner belongs there, but the white sticker points sideways.
Hold it: Keep that corner at the front-right slot.
Do this: Repeat R U R' U' and check after each repeat. Stop as soon as white faces down.
Result: The corner is oriented correctly without moving to a different slot.

Wrong slot

Side colors reveal wrong first-layer corners.

White face is solved but side row is wrong

If you see: The white face looks complete, but a side bottom row has mixed colors.
Hold it: Put the wrong corner at the front-right.
Do this: Use R U R' U' once or twice to lift it out, move it above its real slot, then insert it again.
Result: The corner matches all three centers, not just the white face.

Practice this stepTry the same turns on the virtual cube.Scan my cubeUse the solver if your cube does not match the pictures.Full beginner guideGo back to the complete 7-step method.

Your goal

Place all four white corner pieces around the white face.
Match each corner side color to its side center.
Keep the white cross solved while inserting corners.

You are done when...

The entire white face is solved.
The bottom row of each side face is one solid color.
Every white corner touches the three centers that match its stickers.
The cube is ready for middle-layer edges.

What the finished first layer looks like

A solved white face is not enough by itself. The side stickers of the corners must complete the bottom row on every side.

White face

All four white corners are inserted.

Corner target

The side row should match its center color.

Find a corner with white and two side colors.
Put it above the slot between those two side centers.
Use the corner insert until white faces down and the side colors match.

Interactive demo

White corner insert

Use R U R' U' from the correct front-right slot. Repeat only until the corner is inserted correctly.

Loading interactive cube...

Try this on the 3D cube

Algorithm / move box

New to the letters? Review notation basics before following the move box.

Right-hand corner insert

R U R' U'

Hold the target slot at the front-right.
Repeat the algorithm until the white sticker faces the white side.
Stop as soon as the corner is solved.

Common mistakes

Checking only the face color

How to spot it: The face looks right, but side colors do not match the centers.

Fix: Use centers as the map and solve the piece again in the correct slot.

Repeating an algorithm too long

How to spot it: A piece becomes correct, then gets moved out again.

Fix: Pause after each repeat and inspect before continuing.

Breaking solved pieces

How to spot it: A solved layer changes while you focus on the current case.

Fix: Reset the hold position and use only the turns listed for that case.