3x3 Beginner Method
How to Solve a Rubik's Cube
The easiest beginner method for the 3x3 Rubik's Cube, teaching you the fundamentals you need to become a speedcuber.
- 8 steps
- Only 4 algorithms to memorize
- Interactive 3D examples
Understanding the cube
Pieces
- The cube is made up of pieces, not individual stickers.
- Each piece moves as a unit.
Fixed in place. They define each side's color.
Notation
- Each letter is a 90° clockwise turn
- Add ' for anti-clockwise
- Add 2 for a double turn
The ' notation is called prime. U' is spoken as U-prime.
These are the only ones you need to start. See the full notation guide for every face turn and cube rotation.
Let's start solving!
Follow each step in order. Every step builds on the one before it, allthough sometimes you'll get lucky: a piece is already in place, or you skip a step entirely.
Make a daisy
Hold the cube with yellow on top. Find a white edge and lift it up next to the yellow center - four petals make a daisy flower.
Repeat 4 times
This is what your cube should look like before moving on to the next step.
Make the white cross
Turn each daisy petal until its side color matches the center below it, then drop it straight down onto the white face. The white cross forms on the bottom.
Repeat 4 times
First Layer Corners
What's an algorithm?
An algorithm is just a sequence of moves done in order. You memorise a few of them to solve the cube. Each step below tells you which one to use and when.
The Rightie Algorithm
R U R' U'This step uses one algorithm - the Rightie. Watch what repeating it does to the front-right corner:
One Rightie shuttles the corner between its slot and the top layer.
Two Righties leave the corner in its slot but twist it a third of a turn.
Six Righties bring everything back exactly as it started.
How to use it
Position a white corner above the empty front-right corner spot (its slot), between the two matching edge pieces.
White on side
Rightie ×1
White on top
Rightie ×3
White in front
Rightie ×5
Corner in slot
Stuck in the wrong slot? A Rightie pops it back out to the top.
Middle Layer Edges
New move: y (cube rotation)
The Reverse Rightie and Lefty
This step uses the Rightie and Lefty from the last step, run backwards.
How to use them
1. Align the edge with its matching center and have that side of the cube facing you.
2a. Insert right
If the top color of the edge piece matches the right side of the cube.
2b. Insert left
If the top color of the edge piece matches the left side of the cube.
What to do if the edge is incorrectly oriented?
Sometimes the edge is already in its slot, but flipped the wrong way. Insert a random edge into the slot to bring it out to the top - then put it back in the right way.
The last layer
Two layers done, one to go.
Make the Yellow Cross
The F Rightie Algorithm
Your cube will be in one of these four states.
Hold the cube any way and do the algorithm.
Hold the two yellow edges at the back and left.
Hold the line going left to right.
If your cube already looks like this you got lucky!
Finish the Yellow Face
The Sune Algorithm
This algorithm is called the "Sune".It rotates these 3 corners clockwise.
Notice how the white pieces leave and come back. Seeing that makes the algorithm easier to remember.
How to use it
The top face is in one of the states below. Find yours, hold the cube as shown, and do the algorithm - then follow the arrows until the whole top is yellow.
Place the Corners
The T-Perm Algorithm
This algorithm is called the "T-Perm". The pieces it swaps trace a T shape.We only utilize the corner swapping aspect of this.
How to use it
1. Look for two corners showing the same color on the same side, called headlights.
No headlights? Do the algorithm once from any angle, and you will get headlights on the right.
2. Hold the headlights on the left and do the algorithm.
How to memorize longer algorithms
- Memorize it as groups of moves - cubers call these triggers.
- Practice it on a scrambled cube: the stakes are lower, so you can repeat it over and over.
- Start with your hands in the same position every time. If you need to reposition your hand between turns, do it the same way every time.
- Don't memorize the letters. Focus on how your hands and fingers move, so it becomes muscle memory.
- U and F moves are easiest with your index fingers. Try doing R U without repositioning your hand. It might feel awkward at first, but it soon gets faster than regripping.
Place the Edges
The Ua-Perm Algorithm
This algorithm is called the "Ua-Perm". The edges it cycles trace a U shape.
How to use it
1. Look for a side that's already solved.
No side solved? Do the algorithm once from any angle, and you'll have one.
2. Put the solved side in the back and do the algorithm, up to 2 times.
Did you solve the cube?
Congratulations!
You can now solve the Rubik's Cube! Practice until you can do it without looking at the guide.
- SuneR U R' U R U2 R'
T-PermR U R' U'R' F R2 U'R' U'R U R' F'
Ua-PermR U'RURURU'R'U'R'R'
Repeat the longer algorithms until they are in your muscle memory.
Prefer to solve away from the screen?
Printable cheat sheetWhat's next?
Get a baseline to compare against as you develop.
Solve the first layer and middle layer at the same time, instead of in two separate steps. This is the biggest speed improvement you can learn.
Solve the last layer in just 4 algorithms instead of the beginner steps.
Printable cheat sheets: F2L Cheat Sheet · 2-Look OLL & PLL Cheat Sheet
Frequently asked questions
- How long does it take to learn to solve a Rubik's Cube?
- Most people reach their first solve in under an hour with this guide, and solve from memory after a few more practice solves.
- Do I need to memorize algorithms?
- The first two layers are solved by understanding, with a couple of short inserts. The last layer uses four short algorithms you memorize.
- Is this the fastest way to solve a Rubik's Cube?
- It's the easiest way to learn. The steps grow directly into CFOP, the method most speedcubers use, so getting faster means upgrading steps, not relearning.
- Which colour should I start with?
- This guide starts with the white cross and solves the white layer first. Any colour works, but sticking with white keeps every step consistent with the pictures.