3x3 Rubik's Cube Tutorial

Beginner's Layer-by-Layer Method

Beginner Friendly
3x3 Cube
⏱️ Time needed: 30-45 minutes to learn
📝 Prerequisites: Understanding of cube notation
🎯 Goal: Solve the cube in under 2 minutes

Introduction

This tutorial will teach you how to solve the 3x3 Rubik's Cube using the beginner's layer-by-layer method. This is the easiest method for beginners and requires only 7 simple steps.

Overview of the Method

  1. White Cross
  2. White Corners
  3. Second Layer Edges
  4. Yellow Cross
  5. Yellow Edges
  6. Yellow Corners Position
  7. Yellow Corners Orientation

Step 1: White Cross

Intuitive

Start by solving the white cross on top. Match each white edge piece with its corresponding center color.

Goal: Create a white cross on top with edges matching the side centers

Tips:

  • Hold the cube with white center on top
  • Find white edge pieces and move them to top
  • Make sure edge colors match the center colors
  • This step is mostly intuitive - no algorithms needed!
Key Point: The white cross should look like a plus sign (+) with all edges matching their centers.

Step 2: White Corners

Right Algorithm

Complete the white face by positioning all four white corners correctly.

Goal: Complete the entire white face (top layer)

Right Corner Algorithm:

R U R' U'

How to use:

  1. Find a white corner piece on the bottom layer
  2. Position it below where it needs to go
  3. Repeat "R U R' U'" until the corner is solved (1-5 times)
  4. Repeat for all four corners

Step 3: Second Layer Edges

2 Algorithms

Solve the middle layer by inserting the four edge pieces.

Goal: Complete the first two layers (F2L)

Right Algorithm:

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

Left Algorithm:

U' L' U L U F U' F'

When to use:

  • Right: When the edge needs to go to the right
  • Left: When the edge needs to go to the left
  • Hold cube with target slot at front-right or front-left

Step 4: Yellow Cross

1 Algorithm

Create a yellow cross on the last layer (bottom when held upside down).

Goal: Form a yellow cross (orientation, not position)

Yellow Cross Algorithm:

F R U R' U' F'

Patterns:

Dot
Do algo once

L-Shape
L in bottom-left

Line
Horizontal

Cross
Done!

Step 5: Yellow Edge Position

1 Algorithm

Position the yellow edges correctly to match the centers.

Goal: All yellow edges match their center colors

Edge Position Algorithm:

R U R' U R U2 R'

How to use:

  1. Find a side where edges match (if any)
  2. Hold that side at the back
  3. Do the algorithm once
  4. Repeat if necessary until all edges match

Step 6: Yellow Corners Position

Tricky

Move the yellow corners to their correct positions.

Goal: All corners in right position (colors may not match yet)

Corner Position Algorithm:

U R U' L' U R' U' L

Steps:

  1. Find a corner that's in the right position (if any)
  2. Hold it at front-right
  3. Do algorithm to move other corners
  4. May need to repeat 1-3 times

Step 7: Yellow Corners Orientation

Final Step!

Orient the last layer corners to solve the cube!

Goal: Cube completely solved! 🎉

Corner Orientation Algorithm:

R' D' R D

Important Steps:

  1. Keep the cube in the SAME orientation (don't rotate it)
  2. Focus on front-right corner only
  3. Repeat "R' D' R D" until corner is solved (2, 4, or 6 times)
  4. Turn U face to bring next unsolved corner to front-right
  5. Repeat for all corners
  6. When done, do U moves to align top layer
⚠️ Important: The cube may look scrambled during this step. Don't panic! Just keep going and it will solve at the end.

Congratulations! 🎉

You can now solve the Rubik's Cube! Practice this method until you can solve it consistently.

What's Next?

Practice with Timer Learn CFOP Method Learn Finger Tricks