How to Solve a 3x3 Rubik's Cube
Learn to solve the Rubik's Cube using the Layer-by-Layer method — the most popular beginner method. We'll solve the cube from bottom to top in 7 steps.
Notation
Rubik's Cube moves are written using letters. Each letter refers to a face of the cube:
- R = Right L = Left U = Up D = Down F = Front B = Back
A letter alone means clockwise 90°. Adding ' means counter-clockwise. Adding 2 means 180°.
For example: R = turn right face clockwise, R' = counter-clockwise, R2 = 180°.
Hold the cube with white center on bottom and yellow center on top for all steps.
Step 1: White Cross
Build a white cross on the bottom face. Each white edge must also match the center color of its adjacent side.
This step is intuitive — no fixed algorithms. Find each white edge piece and move it to the correct position on the bottom.
Case 1: White edge on top layer — Align the side color with its center, then turn that face twice.
Case 2: White edge in middle layer — Bring it to the top first, then handle as Case 1.
Case 3: White edge on bottom but flipped — Pop it out and re-insert correctly.
Tips: Always check that the side color of each white edge matches its center. Work around edges already in place.
Step 2: White Corners
Complete the first layer by inserting the 4 white corner pieces.
Find a white corner in the top layer. Position it above its target spot (the corner between the two matching side colors). Then repeat the following algorithm until the corner drops into place — it may take 1, 3, or 5 repetitions:
Algorithm: R U R' U'
If a white corner is stuck in the bottom layer but oriented wrong, use R U R' U' to pop it out to the top, then re-insert it.
Repeat for all 4 corners. The entire first layer (white face + matching sides) should now be complete.
Step 3: Second Layer
Solve the middle layer edges. Keep white on the bottom. Find an edge piece in the top layer that does not have yellow on it.
Align the edge's front color with its matching center, then decide which direction the edge needs to go:
Insert edge to the right: U R U' R' U' F' U F
Insert edge to the left: U' L' U L U F U' F'
If a middle-layer edge is in the correct slot but flipped, insert any top-layer edge into that slot to pop it out, then re-insert correctly.
Step 4: Yellow Cross
Form a yellow cross on the top face. You don't need to match side colors yet — just get 4 yellow edges facing up.
You'll see one of three patterns on top:
- Dot (no yellow edges up) — Do the algorithm once → L shape.
- L shape (two adjacent edges) — Hold the L in the back-left corner, do the algorithm → Line.
- Line (two opposite edges) — Hold the line horizontal, do the algorithm → Cross.
Algorithm: F R U R' U' F'
Step 5: Yellow Face
Orient all yellow corners so the entire top face is yellow.
Hold the cube so that a yellow corner that needs to be rotated is in the front-right position. Apply the algorithm. After each application, check if the front-right corner is now yellow on top. If not, apply it again without rotating the cube. Once that corner is solved, rotate the U face to bring the next unsolved corner to front-right and repeat.
Algorithm: R U R' U R U2 R'
You may need to apply this algorithm multiple times. Don't worry if the rest of the cube looks scrambled during this step — it will come together.
Step 6: Position Yellow Corners
Move the yellow corners to their correct positions (matching the side colors). The corners may be rotated — that's fine, we just need them in the right spot.
Look at the top layer corners. Find a corner that is already between the correct two side colors. Place that corner at the front-right and apply the algorithm. If no corner is correctly positioned, apply the algorithm once from any position.
Algorithm: U R U' L' U R' U' L
Repeat until all 4 corners are in their correct positions.
Step 7: Position Yellow Edges
The final step! Move the last layer edges into their correct positions to solve the cube.
Find an edge that is already correct (its color matches the side center). Place that face toward you as the front. Then apply one of these algorithms to cycle the other three edges:
Clockwise cycle: R U' R U R U R U' R' U' R2
Counter-clockwise cycle: R2 U R U R' U' R' U' R' U R'
If no edge is in the correct position, apply either algorithm once — this will create one correctly placed edge. Then proceed as above.
Congratulations! You've solved the Rubik's Cube! Practice each section until it becomes natural. With time, you'll be able to solve the entire cube in under 2 minutes.