2x2 Pocket Cube Tutorial

Perfect for Beginners

Easiest Cube
2x2 Cube
⏱️ Time needed: 15-20 minutes to learn
📝 Prerequisites: Basic understanding of cube notation
🎯 Goal: Solve the 2x2 cube consistently

Why Start with 2x2?

The 2x2 Pocket Cube is the perfect starting point for beginners. It's essentially a 3x3 cube without edges, making it simpler to understand and solve. Once you master the 2x2, the 3x3 will be much easier!

✅ Advantages

  • Only 3 algorithms needed
  • Fewer pieces to track
  • Quick to solve (under 1 minute)
  • Great confidence builder

📚 What You'll Learn

  • Corner orientation
  • Corner permutation
  • Basic algorithms
  • Pattern recognition

Understanding the 2x2 Cube

The 2x2 cube has only 8 corner pieces (no centers or edges). Each corner has three colors. Your goal is to make each face a solid color.

Key Concept: Since there are no centers, you get to choose which color goes on which face. Pick the easiest arrangement!

Step 1: Solve One Face

Intuitive

Start by solving one complete face. This step is intuitive - just move corners around until one face is completely solved.

Tips:

  • Choose white or yellow (lighter colors are easier to see)
  • Get all 4 corners showing the same color on top
  • No specific algorithms needed - just play around!
  • This should take 30 seconds to 1 minute
Pro Tip: Once you have 3 corners correct, the 4th is usually just a few moves away.

Step 2: Orient Bottom Corners

1 Algorithm

Now flip the cube over so your solved face is on the bottom. Orient the bottom corners so they're in the correct position (colors match the sides).

Corner Orientation Algorithm:

R U R' U R U2 R'

How to Use:

  1. Hold cube with solved face on bottom
  2. Look at the top layer corners
  3. Find corners that need to be oriented
  4. Do the algorithm 1-3 times to orient all corners
  5. Turn the top layer (U) to set up for next corner if needed
Note: This algorithm may mess up corners you already fixed. Don't worry! Keep going and they'll fix themselves.

Step 3: Permute Bottom Corners

1 Algorithm

Finally, move the corners to their correct positions to solve the cube!

Corner Swap Algorithm:

R U' R' U' R U R' F' R U R' U' R' F R

Steps:

  1. Find two corners that need to swap
  2. Hold cube so they're at front-right and back-right
  3. Do the algorithm once
  4. If not solved, repeat as needed
  5. May need to do U moves to line everything up at the end
Pattern Recognition: Look for headlights (two matching colors) or a solved bar. Position these at the back before doing the algorithm.

Alternative Method: Ortega

Once you're comfortable with the basic method, try the Ortega method for faster solves:

Ortega Step 1

Solve one face (same as before)

Ortega Step 2

Orient all corners on opposite face

Ortega Step 3

Permute corners on one face

Ortega Step 4

Permute corners on opposite face

Practice Tips

  • Scramble properly: Do at least 10 random moves to scramble
  • Muscle memory: Practice the algorithms slowly until they're automatic
  • Recognition: Learn to spot patterns quickly
  • Track progress: Use our timer to measure improvement

Congratulations! 🎉

You can now solve the 2x2 Pocket Cube! Practice until you can solve it in under 30 seconds.

What's Next?

Practice with Timer Learn 3x3 Cube