Solving a Rubik’s Cube looks impossible at first, but with a clear step‑by‑step method, anyone can learn it. This guide walks you through the classic beginner’s method for a standard 3x3 cube, using simple notation and repeatable algorithms.
1. Understand the Rubik’s Cube Basics
Pieces and structure
A standard 3x3 Rubik’s Cube has:
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Center pieces (6)
- One on each face.
- They never move relative to each other.
- The color of a center defines that face (e.g., the white center = white face).
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Edge pieces (12)
- Each has two colors (e.g., white–red).
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Corner pieces (8)
- Each has three colors (e.g., white–red–blue).
Knowing that centers are fixed helps you place edges and corners correctly.
Cube notation (moves)
We use standard “Singmaster” notation, which you’ll also see in most online tutorials:
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Faces:
- R – Right
- L – Left
- U – Up (top)
- D – Down (bottom)
- F – Front (facing you)
- B – Back
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Directions:
- Letter alone (e.g., R) = 90° clockwise turn of that face.
- Letter + apostrophe (e.g., R') = 90° counterclockwise turn.
- Letter + 2 (e.g., R2) = 180° turn (direction doesn’t matter).
Example:
R U R' U' means:
- Turn the right face clockwise.
- Turn the top face clockwise.
- Turn the right face counterclockwise.
- Turn the top face counterclockwise.
You can see an overview of standard notation on the World Cube Association and related tutorials.
2. The Beginner Method Overview
You will solve the cube layer by layer:
- White Cross (on the white face)
- White Corners → finish the first layer
- Second Layer Edges
- Yellow Cross (on the yellow face)
- Orient Yellow Edges (make the yellow cross face up)
- Position Yellow Corners
- Orient Yellow Corners → solve the last layer
Each step has one or more small algorithms (move sequences) you’ll memorize.
3. Step 1 – Solve the White Cross
Goal: Form a white “plus sign” on the white face, with each white edge matching the center color of the adjacent face.
How to do it
- Pick white as your starting color (most tutorials use white/yellow).
- Find a white edge piece (it has white + another color).
- Move that edge so the other color matches its center:
- For example, if the piece is white–red, line it up so the red faces the red center.
- Turn the face containing white to bring the white sticker to the white side.
Repeat until you have:
- A white cross on the white face.
- Side colors on these edge pieces lined up with their face centers.
At this stage, you usually don’t need fixed algorithms—just intuitive turns. If you get stuck, online interactive cube solvers show this step clearly.
4. Step 2 – Solve the White Corners (Complete the First Layer)
Goal: Place all white corner pieces so that:
- White face is completely solved.
- Side colors of each white corner also match adjacent centers.
Find and insert a white corner
- Locate a corner with white (e.g., white–green–orange).
- Move it to the bottom layer, directly below where it needs to go in the top layer:
- If the corner belongs between white, green, and orange centers, position it under that “slot.”
Use the basic corner insertion algorithm
Assume:
- White face is on top.
- You’re inserting a corner from the bottom right front position.
Use this right-hand algorithm (often called “R U R' U'” trigger):
- R' D' R D
Or, if you started with white on top and the corner beneath its slot, a more common beginner method is:
- Keeping white on top, use:
- R U R' U' repeatedly until the corner is oriented correctly.
Most beginner-friendly guides recommend one consistent approach; choose one and stick with it. Repeat for all four white corners until:
- The entire white face is solved.
- The first layer sides are correctly matched.
5. Step 3 – Solve the Second Layer Edges
Goal: Solve the middle layer, so all the edges between centers match.
Ignore the yellow pieces for now. Focus on edges that:
- Do not contain white or yellow (e.g., blue–orange, green–red, etc.).
Step 3A – Find an edge in the top layer
- Hold the cube with white on the bottom, yellow on top (this is common for later steps).
- Look for a non-yellow, non-white edge in the top (yellow) layer.
- Match the front color of that edge with the corresponding center:
- For example, if the edge is blue–red and the blue side faces you, align it under the blue center.
Now determine whether it must move to the right or to the left.
Step 3B – Insert edge to the right
If the edge needs to go to the right (from front to right side), use:
- U R U' R' U' F' U F
Step 3C – Insert edge to the left
If the edge needs to go to the left (from front to left side), use:
- U' L' U L U F U' F'
Repeat until all four second-layer edges are in place and:
- The first two layers are fully solved (white face + middle ring).
If an incorrect edge is stuck in the middle layer, bring it to the top by applying one of the above algorithms once, then insert it correctly.
6. Step 4 – Form the Yellow Cross
Goal: Create a yellow cross on the top face (yellow center), ignoring corner orientation.
At this point, your cube should have:
- First two layers solved.
- Top layer scrambled.
Focus on yellow edges only. You may see one of these patterns on the yellow face:
- Dot (no yellow edges on top)
- L-shape (two yellow edges forming a right angle)
- Line (two opposite yellow edges)
- Cross (already done)
Hold the cube with yellow on top.
Algorithm for making the yellow cross
Use this algorithm:
- F R U R' U' F'
How to apply:
- If you see a dot: Do F R U R' U' F' once → you’ll get an L-shape. Then follow next rule.
- If you see an L-shape: Hold it like a backwards “L” (the two yellow edge pieces at top-left and center-left, and top-left and top-center). Then do F R U R' U' F' once.
- If you see a line: Hold the line horizontally and do F R U R' U' F' once.
Repeat until you get a yellow cross.
7. Step 5 – Orient the Yellow Edges (Align the Cross with Centers)
Goal: You already have a yellow cross; now you must align each yellow edge with the side-center colors.
- Keep yellow on top.
- Rotate the top layer (U) until at least two yellow edges align with their side centers.
You may have:
- Two adjacent edges correctly aligned.
- Two opposite edges aligned.
- None aligned (rotate U until some align).
Algorithm for permuting yellow edges
Once two adjacent edges line up, hold the cube so:
- One correct edge is at the front.
- The other correct edge is at the left.
Then perform:
- R U R' U R U2 R' U
After this, all four yellow edges should be aligned with their centers.
If it doesn’t work the first time, try again after rotating the top face to match the new alignment.
8. Step 6 – Position the Yellow Corners
Goal: Put each yellow corner in the correct location (even if they’re twisted wrong).
The yellow face should still be on top, and:
- Yellow cross is correctly aligned.
- Corners may be in the wrong places.
Find a correctly positioned corner
Look for a corner where the three colors match the centers of the faces it touches (location-wise), even if the yellow sticker is not facing up.
- If one corner is in the correct position:
- Hold that corner at front-right-top (URF).
- If none are correctly positioned:
- Apply the algorithm below once, then look again.
Algorithm to cycle the corners
Use:
- U R U' L' U R' U' L
This cycles three corners around. After performing it:
- Check if all four corners are in the right locations.
- If not, repeat the algorithm with one correct corner at URF.
Note: At this stage, corners may still be twisted (yellow not always on top). That’s the next step.
9. Step 7 – Orient the Yellow Corners (Final Solve)
Goal: Turn the yellow corners in place until:
- All yellow stickers are on top.
- The entire cube is solved.
Keep yellow on top and:
- Find a top-layer corner that is in the right place but not oriented correctly (yellow sticker not facing up).
- Hold the cube so this corner is at front-right-top (URF).
Corner orientation algorithm
With the misoriented corner at URF, use:
- R' D' R D
Repeat R' D' R D several times (2–4 times) until that specific corner’s yellow sticker faces up.
Important:
- Do not rotate the whole cube while doing R' D' R D.
- You only turn the R and D faces.
Once that corner is correctly oriented:
- Turn the top face (U) to bring another misoriented yellow corner to URF.
- Repeat R' D' R D until its yellow faces up.
- Continue for all four yellow corners.
Even though the cube may look scrambled mid-process, if you only rotate the U face between corners and reapply R' D' R D correctly, the cube will end up fully solved.
10. Practice Tips and Common Questions
How long does it take to learn?
- Most people can learn the full beginner method in 1–3 hours with practice.
- Solving time will quickly drop to 2–5 minutes, then under a minute with experience.
How do I get faster?
Once you’re comfortable with the beginner method:
- Learn about CFOP (Fridrich Method): Cross, F2L, OLL, PLL.
This is the most popular speedcubing method used in competitions. - Practice finger tricks and smooth turning.
- Time yourself and try to solve without pausing.
You can explore speedcubing techniques and official competitions at the World Cube Association and community sites like Speedsolving.com.
What if I get stuck?
- Compare each step with visual tutorials on:
- The official Rubik’s site
- High-quality YouTube tutorials (search “3x3 beginner method”).
- Use an online virtual cube to practice algorithms without wear on your physical cube.
11. Summary of Key Algorithms (Cheat Sheet)
Keep this quick list handy while practicing:
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Yellow Cross
F R U R' U' F'
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Second Layer – Edge to Right
U R U' R' U' F' U F
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Second Layer – Edge to Left
U' L' U L U F U' F'
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Position Yellow Corners (Cycle Corners)
U R U' L' U R' U' L
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Orient Yellow Corners (Twist in Place)
R' D' R D(repeated on each corner)
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Permute Yellow Edges (Align Yellow Cross with Centers)
R U R' U R U2 R' U
Start slowly, perform moves carefully, and focus on understanding why each step works. With a bit of practice, solving a Rubik’s Cube becomes a satisfying, almost automatic process.