Solving a 3×3 Rubik’s Cube
1. Overview
With 43 quintillion possible scrambled states, a Rubik’s Cube can look intimidating – yet in practice, you can solve it consistently by following just seven logical stages and remembering under a dozen short algorithms. Expect your first successful solve in under an hour, and, after practice, times well below one minute.
2. Getting Started
- Explore first. Turn the cube freely and attempt to solve the white face without written help. Most people manage this after a little experimentation, and it builds spatial intuition.
- Learn the notation. Algorithms are written with single‑letter moves (F, R, U…) plus ’ (counter‑clockwise) or 2(180°). See Section 4 for a quick reference.
- Memorise key sequences. Practise the six main triggers until they flow from muscle memory.
Tip: Random twists almost never solve the puzzle. Deliberate patterns are the secret.
3. Cube Anatomy & Good‑to‑Know Facts
- Fixed centres – Each face’s centre never moves; it defines that face’s colour.
- 8 corners – Three stickers each.
- 12 edges – Two stickers each.
Understanding that the cube is built around its centres helps you keep colours consistent when matching pieces later.
4. Notation at a Glance
| Symbol | Face Turn | Prime (') |
Double (2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | Front | F’ (CCW) | F2 |
| B | Back | B’ | B2 |
| R | Right | R’ | R2 |
| L | Left | L’ | L2 |
| U | Up | U’ | U2 |
| D | Down | D’ | D2 |
Hold the cube so white = Up and green = Front when reading any algorithm.
5. Step‑by‑Step Guide
Step 1 – White Cross
Create a plus sign on the white face with each edge’s side colour matching its adjacent centre. Work intuitively. If an edge flips the wrong way, use F R D R’ F’.
Step 2 – White Corners
Finish the first layer. Put a white corner beneath its slot, then repeat R’ D’ R D until the white sticker is on top. (If the piece is in place but twisted, pop it out first.)
Step 3 – Second Layer (F2L)
Turn the cube upside‑down (white on bottom). For an edge in the top layer without yellow:
-
Right insert (edge goes to the right slot):
U R U’ R’ U’ F’ U F -
Left insert (edge to left slot):
U’ L’ U L U F U’ F’
If an edge is in the middle but flipped, run either insert to pop it up, then place correctly.
Step 4 – Yellow Cross
With yellow on top, apply F R U R’ U’ F’. A dot needs 3×, an L‑shape 2×, a line 1× to reach the cross.
Step 5 – Position Yellow Edges
Line up one solved edge with its centre. Hold unsolved edges at Front and Left and run R U R’ U R U2 R’ U until all four match.
Step 6 – Place Yellow Corners
Find a yellow corner that is already in the correct location (ignore orientation) and keep it at Front‑Right‑Up (FRU). Use U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L until all four corners are parked correctly.
Step 7 – Orient Yellow Corners (Finish)
Hold an unsolved yellow corner at FRU and repeat R’ D’ R D until its yellow sticker is on top. Turn only the U layer to bring the next mis‑oriented corner to FRU and repeat. Previously solved layers stay intact.
Congratulations—cube solved! If the cube looks scrambled mid‑process, keep faith and continue; only the top layer pieces are moving.
6. All Algorithms – Pocket Cheat‑Sheet
- White Edge Flip
F R D R' F' - White Corner Insert
R' D' R D - Middle Edge – Right
U R U' R' U' F' U F - Middle Edge – Left
U' L' U L U F U' F' - Yellow Cross
F R U R' U' F' - Swap Yellow Edges
R U R' U R U2 R' U - Place Yellow Corners
U R U' L' U R' U' L - Orient Yellow Corners
R' D' R D (repeat)
7. Practice Pointers
- Look‑ahead: Identify the next target piece during the current algorithm.
- Finger tricks: Use single‑finger flicks for quick U, R and F turns.
- Time yourself: Online timers and phone apps track solves and highlight improvement areas.
8. Next Steps
| Skill | Why Learn | Suggested Resource |
| CFOP (Fridrich) | World‑class speed method | J‑Perm YouTube playlist |
| Two‑Look OLL/PLL | Cuts last layer to two fast looks | Ruwix advanced guide |
| Hardware tuning | Lubes & magnets boost control | SpeedCubeReview.com |
9. Further Reading & Videos
A full 10‑minute walk‑through
Interactive step‑by‑step guide
Ryan’s Tutorials presents a beginner-friendly Rubik’s Cube guide that explains cube notation and then leads you through five clear, algorithm-based steps (white cross, white corners, second layer, yellow face, final layer), backed by interactive demos, a cheat sheet and practical tips to help you reliably solve any scramble.
https://ryanstutorials.net/rubiks-cube-tutorial/
Animated explanations
Ruwix’s beginner Rubik’s Cube tutorial walks newcomers through a seven-step, layer-by-layer method – white cross, white corners, second-layer edges, yellow cross, yellow edges, positioning yellow corners and finally orienting them – supplemented with notation basics, animated algorithms, an example solve and video guidance to ensure a dependable solution from any scramble.
https://ruwix.com/the-rubiks-cube/how-to-solve-the-rubiks-cube-beginners-method/
General
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