OLL Algorithms
OLL (Orientation of the Last Layer) is the first step of the last layer in the CFOP method. The goal is to make the entire top face one color (yellow). There are 57 OLL cases in total.
If you are a beginner, start with 2-Look OLL — a simplified approach that requires only 10 algorithms instead of all 57.
This guide covers 2-Look OLL plus the 45 most commonly encountered full OLL cases, organized by shape category.
2-Look OLL
2-Look OLL breaks the orientation step into two smaller steps:
- Orient the edges — make a yellow cross on top (3 cases)
- Orient the corners — make the entire top face yellow (7 cases)
This means you only need to learn 10 algorithms total.
Step 1: Orient Edges (Make the Yellow Cross)
Look at the top face. Ignore the corners and focus on the edges only. You will see one of three patterns:
Dot (No edges oriented)
No yellow edges are facing up. Apply this algorithm to go to L-shape, then apply the L-shape algorithm.
Algorithm: F R U R' U' F' f R U R' U' f'
L-Shape (Two adjacent edges oriented)
Two yellow edges form an L shape. Hold the cube so the L is in the back-left position.
Algorithm: f R U R' U' f'
Line (Two opposite edges oriented)
Two yellow edges form a horizontal line. Hold the cube so the line goes left to right.
Algorithm: F R U R' U' F'
Step 2: Orient Corners (7 Cases)
You now have a yellow cross. Look at the top face and identify how many corners have yellow facing up.
Sune (1 corner oriented, yellow pointing left)
Hold the cube so the one solved corner is at the front-left.
Algorithm: R U R' U R U2 R'
Anti-Sune (1 corner oriented, yellow pointing right)
Hold the cube so the one solved corner is at the front-right.
Algorithm: R U2 R' U' R U' R'
H (Double Sune — 0 corners oriented, checkerboard pattern)
Yellow stickers form a checkerboard pattern on top (no corners facing up, headlights on two opposite sides).
Algorithm: R U R' U R U' R' U R U2 R'
Pi (0 corners oriented, headlights on one side)
No corners facing up. Two yellow stickers on the same side (headlights on front).
Algorithm: R U2 R2 U' R2 U' R2 U2 R
U (Headlights — 2 corners oriented on same side)
Two corners solved, both on the same side. Hold headlights on the left.
Algorithm: R2 D' R U2 R' D R U2 R
T (2 corners oriented diagonally)
Two corners solved diagonally. Yellow stickers on front-left and back-right (or vice versa).
Algorithm: r U R' U' r' F R F'
L (2 adjacent corners oriented, headlights diagonal)
Two corners solved on adjacent positions with a specific pattern.
Algorithm: F R' F' R U R U' R'
Full OLL — All Edges Oriented (OCLL, OLL 21-27)
These cases have all four edges already oriented (yellow cross is done). Only corners need orientation.
OLL 21 — H (Double Sune)
Algorithm: R U R' U R U' R' U R U2 R'
OLL 22 — Pi
Algorithm: R U2 R2 U' R2 U' R2 U2 R
OLL 23 — Headlights
Algorithm: R2 D' R U2 R' D R U2 R
OLL 24 — Chameleon
Algorithm: r U R' U' r' F R F'
OLL 25 — Bowtie
Algorithm: F' r U R' U' r' F R
OLL 26 — Sune
Algorithm: R U R' U R U2 R'
OLL 27 — Anti-Sune
Algorithm: R U2 R' U' R U' R'
T-Shapes
OLL 33
Algorithm: R U R' U' R' F R F'
OLL 45
Algorithm: F R U R' U' F'
Squares
OLL 5
Algorithm: r' U2 R U R' U r
OLL 6
Algorithm: r U2 R' U' R U' r'
C-Shapes
OLL 34
Algorithm: R U R2 U' R' F R U R U' F'
OLL 46
Algorithm: R' U' R' F R F' U R
W-Shapes
OLL 36
Algorithm: L' U' L U' L' U L U L F' L' F
OLL 38
Algorithm: R U R' U R U' R' U' R' F R F'
P-Shapes
OLL 31
Algorithm: R' U' F U R U' R' F' R
OLL 32
Algorithm: L U F' U' L' U L F L'
OLL 43
Algorithm: F' U' L' U L F
OLL 44
Algorithm: F U R U' R' F'
Fish Shapes
OLL 9
Algorithm: R U R' U' R' F R2 U R' U' F'
OLL 10
Algorithm: R U R' U R' F R F' R U2 R'
OLL 35
Algorithm: R U2 R2 F R F' R U2 R'
OLL 37
Algorithm: F R' F' R U R U' R'
Knight Move Shapes
OLL 13
Algorithm: F U R U2 R' U' R U R' F'
OLL 14
Algorithm: R' F R U R' F' R F U' F'
OLL 15
Algorithm: r' U' r R' U' R U r' U r
OLL 16
Algorithm: r U r' R U R' U' r U' r'
Awkward Shapes
OLL 29
Algorithm: R U R' U' R U' R' F' U' F R U R'
OLL 30
Algorithm: F R' F R2 U' R' U' R U R' F2
OLL 41
Algorithm: R U R' U R U2 R' F R U R' U' F'
OLL 42
Algorithm: R' U' R U' R' U2 R F R U R' U' F'
Lightning Bolts
OLL 7
Algorithm: r U R' U R U2 r'
OLL 8
Algorithm: r' U' R U' R' U2 r
OLL 11
Algorithm: r U R' U R' F R F' R U2 r'
OLL 12
Algorithm: F R U R' U' F' U F R U R' U' F'
OLL 39
Algorithm: L F' L' U' L U F U' L'
OLL 40
Algorithm: R' F R U R' U' F' U R
Dot Cases
These are the hardest OLL cases -- no edges are oriented.
OLL 1
Algorithm: R U2 R2 F R F' U2 R' F R F'
OLL 2
Algorithm: F R U R' U' F' f R U R' U' f'
OLL 3
Algorithm: f R U R' U' f' U' F R U R' U' F'
OLL 4
Algorithm: f R U R' U' f' U F R U R' U' F'
OLL 17
Algorithm: R U R' U R' F R F' U2 R' F R F'
OLL 18
Algorithm: r U R' U R U2 r2 U' R U' R' U2 r
OLL 19
Algorithm: r' R U R U R' U' r R2 F R F'
OLL 20
Algorithm: r U R' U' r' U2 R U R U' R2 U2 R
Learning Tips
- Start with 2-Look OLL — master 10 algorithms before tackling the full set
- Learn OCLL next — cases 21-27 are the most common and build on 2-Look
- Add categories gradually — T-shapes, P-shapes, and Fish shapes are good next steps
- Practice recognition — being able to quickly identify the case is just as important as knowing the algorithm
- Use finger tricks — focus on smooth execution once you have the algorithms memorized
When practicing, scramble the cube and solve everything up to OLL. Then practice identifying and solving the OLL case. Repeat until recognition becomes automatic.