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 are solving only the four white edge pieces, then checking that each edge also matches the center color on its side.

Last reviewed: May 31, 2026 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 for these cases. 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 is facing you or another side, not the top or bottom.
Hold it: Put that edge in the front-top or front-middle area so you can move it without touching solved cross edges.
Do this: Turn the front side to lift the edge to the top, line up its side color with the center, then turn that side twice 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 already 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 back to the top. Line up the side color correctly, then turn it back down.
Result: The cross still has four white edges, and the side colors now match centers.

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

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 top picture shows the white face goal. The side checks matter just as much: 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

Only checking the white stickers

How to spot it: The white face shows a cross, but side colors do not match the centers.

Fix: Rotate the edge out and solve it again after lining up its side color with the matching center.

Solving corners too early

How to spot it: You keep breaking the cross while trying to place white corner pieces.

Fix: Stop after the four edges are correct. White corners are a separate step.

Forgetting centers define the color scheme

How to spot it: A white-blue edge is placed near green or red because the white side looked correct.

Fix: Use the fixed centers as your map. Edge colors must match both centers they touch.