Beginner step 1
How to Solve the White Cross on a Rubik's Cube
The white cross is the first target in the beginner method. You solve only the four white edge pieces and check that each edge also matches the center color on its side.
Last reviewed: by the Cubzor Editorial Team.
Start by matching your cube
What does your cube look like?
Hold the cube with the white center on the bottom. Solve one white edge at a time, and check the side color before moving on.
Top edge case
Line up the side color first, then turn that side twice.
White edge is on the top face
- If you see
- You see a white edge sticker on the top layer.
- Hold it
- Turn the top layer until the other color on that edge matches the center on the front side.
- Do this
- Turn that front side twice to send the edge down to the white center.
- Result
- That white edge is now in the cross and its side color matches.
Side edge case
Move the edge to the top before placing it.
White edge is on a side face
- If you see
- The white sticker faces a side, not the top or bottom.
- Hold it
- Put that edge in the front-top or front-middle area so it can move safely.
- Do this
- Lift the edge to the top, line up its side color, then turn it down into the white face.
- Result
- The edge joins the cross in the correct side position.
Side mismatch
A white cross with mismatched sides is not finished.
White edge is on bottom but side color is wrong
- If you see
- The white cross shape exists, but one side color does not match its center.
- Hold it
- Put the wrong edge at the front-bottom position.
- Do this
- Turn the front side twice to take it to the top, line it up, then turn it back down.
- Result
- The cross still has four white edges, and the side colors now match centers.
Your goal
- Put the four white edge pieces around the white center.
- Match each white edge side color with the center on that side.
- Ignore the white corners for now; they are the next step.
You are done when...
- The white face has a plus shape through the center.
- The white-blue edge touches the blue center, white-red touches red, and so on.
- No white edge is flipped with white facing a side instead of the white face.
- The corners can still be unsolved.
What the finished white cross looks like
The white face goal and side checks both matter. Every white edge must line up with the matching side center.
White face
White center plus four white edges.
Wrong idea
Three white edges is not a cross yet.
- Look at the side sticker on each white edge.
- Turn the top or bottom layer until that side sticker matches its center.
- Only solve the edge into the white face after the side color is lined up.
Interactive demo
Place a lined-up white edge
This shows the final 180-degree side turn after an edge color is matched to its center.
Loading interactive cube...
Move a side white edge to the top
If a white edge is stuck on a side face, move it to the top first so you can line it up.
Loading interactive cube...
Algorithm / move box
New to the letters? Review notation basics before following the move box.
No fixed algorithm
- Find one white edge piece.
- Move it under or beside the center color it belongs to.
- Turn it into the white face without moving a solved white edge out of place.
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.
Fix a specific beginner step
Open the focused guide for the exact step that looks wrong on your cube.