F2L Algorithms

All 41 standard F2L cases plus the advanced set ranked by how often top solvers actually use them.

What makes this database different

Ma
=
Ma
mirrors
Ma
Je
rotations

In the second pair the edge is misoriented and the solution becomes completely different.

We use BirdF2L codes - two letters like Jb or Mi because they are more descriptive and standardized than the old numbering system.

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Pro usage counts how often an algorithm appears in reconstructed solves by the world's fastest cubers. Alongside it sits each algorithm's community vote count from SpeedCubeDB, so you can see where the crowd and the pros disagree.

A back-slot insert is a different job for your hands, so the two are counted apart. Left and right pool together (⇄ on by default); front and back do not (⇅ off). Both are toggles in the table.

one case, one algorithm per slot
  • R U R' front-right 6923 uses
  • L' U' L front-left 3930 uses
  • R' U' R back-right 4111 uses
  • L U L' back-left 1843 uses
viewing the front-right slot, Pro usage reads
6923 this slot alone
10853 adds the other hand default
11034 adds the back slot
16807 all four

A history graph traces each algorithm's popularity over time - the share of that year's solves that used it, rising as it catches on or fading as cubers move to something faster.

A method bar splits those uses by how people solve: CFOP is the grey baseline, and a fat coloured slice means ZB or ZZ solvers favour the algorithm more than mainstream CFOP does. Beside it, a grip bar asks a different question of the same solves - how many were done one-handed (pink), which rewards regrip-light, rotationless algorithms.

  • ZB
  • ZZ
  • CFOP baseline
  • One-handed

Many algorithms open with a short trigger or a rotation that turns the case into an easier one, then finish it off. Those share a row, and their usage adds up.

same trigger, different endings pro uses
R' F R F' R U' R' U R U' R' 16
R' F R F' R U' R2 F R F' 11
R' F R F' R U' R' U2 R U2 R' 2
…and 1 more ending 1
R' F R F'
Kb
×4
30
different rotations, same case pro uses
y L' U L 857
y' R' U R 697
d' L' U L 353
…and 26 more rotation variants
rotation
Jb
×29
2539

A rotation lands the case in a different slot, so its chip is a toggle. Each side shows the most used algorithm for the slot the case ends up in, so flipping it changes which insert (and which hand) you get.

The ×4 and ×29 count the algorithms folded into each row. In the table the count appears when you hover the row, and stays put once you pick one - click or tap it to unfold every algorithm it stands for, and again to fold them back.

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Solving the front-right slot, these algorithms would disturb:

the back-right edge
the back-right corner
the front-left edge
the whole back-right slot

Most uses of an algorithm are a plain single-pair insert (grey). The colored slices show how often it was instead used inside a fancier last-slot technique - hover or tap the bar in the table for exact counts.

  • ZBLS ZB Last Slot
  • OLS Orient Last Slot
  • WV Winter Variation
  • VLS Valk Last Slot
  • SV Summer Variation
  • CLS Corners Last Slot
  • MS Multi-slot
  • Plain single-pair insert
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With a status filter on, each case shows a dot for your best alg status in the current slot.

F2L Overview

most-used algorithms for every case

Ma 39%
U2 Ma 13%
All 92 algs
U' Jb 75%
U' 14%
7.4%
All 116 algs
U' Ma 92%
U Ma 3.6%
All 71 algs
U 84%
U2 5.1%
All 194 algs
99%
All 111 algs
U Jb 79%
U Jb 13%
All 67 algs
U' Jb 52%
U 13%
U 13%
All 86 algs
U' Ma 40%
U Ma 2.5%
All 94 algs
U2 Ma 56%
U' Ma 19%
Ma 8.0%
All 82 algs
U' Cp 3.7%
U2 Jb 2.0%
All 102 algs
U' Jb 61%
U 8.9%
U 8.9%
All 91 algs
15%
<1%
All 76 algs
U 14%
U' Ma 12%
All 153 algs
U Jb 43%
U Mi 10%
U Ma 4.5%
All 176 algs
U Ma 31%
15%
All 139 algs
Jb 50%
U' Jb 26%
U' Jb 4.4%
All 120 algs
U' Jb 66%
U' <1%
All 123 algs
U' Ma 44%
U2 Jb 22%
U2 Ma 11%
All 117 algs

Algorithms last updated