7 Easy Steps to Solve a Rubix Cube

August 10, 2022 Post a Comment

I consider myself a master at Rubik's Cube. I've compiled a list of algorithms for when you get stuck in specific situations.

Discover some algorithms you can use to solve tricky situations on a Rubik's Cube!

Image by dawnydawny via Pixabay; Canva

A List of Rubik's Cube Algorithms for When You Get Stuck

The Rubik's Cube is a widely popular mechanical puzzle that requires a series of movement sequences, or algorithms, in order to be solved. Many of you have likely watched the tutorial videos that teach you how to solve the cube, but you don't know or cannot remember those long, boring algorithms. Therefore, I have created a handy cheat sheet of the algorithms that you can whip out at a moment's notice to solve the Rubik's Cube when you get stuck.

The Basic Movement Notations

Understanding the basic move notations is essential to understanding the algorithms. Each notation designates one of the cube layers that should be turned clockwise 90 degrees (or 1/4 of the way around the cube).

Standard notation for the cube is Up, Down, Right, Left, Face, and Back (U, D, R, L, F, B). These refer to the different layers of the cube. Remember, though, that the notations are all relative and are determined based on the cube's orientation. Face, for instance, refers to the layer that faces you when you hold the cube.

When the notation has an apostrophe (e.g., U'), that means you should move that layer counter-clockwise 90 degrees. See the full list of movement notations below.

List of Rubik's Cube Algorithms 3x3

These are the algorithms that are necessary to solve the Rubik's Cube and the step in the process where they are used. For more detailed information on where and when to use these algorithms, see below.
Step	Algorithm
1. Getting the "white cross"	F' U L' U'
2a. First layer left corner	D L D' L'
2b. First layer right corner	D' R' D R
3a. Right edge piece placement	U R U' R' U' F' U F
3b. Left edge piece placement	U' L' U L U F U' F'
4. Getting the white cross without disrupting the rest of the cube	F R U R' U' F'
5. Solving third layer edge pieces	R U R' U R U U R'
6. Placing the third layer corner pieces	U R U' L' U R' U' L
7. Finishing the cube	R' D' R D

1. Getting the White Cross

The first step in solving the Rubik's Cube is to make the white cross. To match those colors up, perform the following sequence:

F' U L' U'

Front inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Up (clockwise 90 degrees)
Left inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Up inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees).

2. Aligning the Left and Right Corners in the First Layer

Left Corner

To get the left corner aligned, use the following algorithm:

Scroll to Continue

D L D' L'

Down (clockwise 90 degrees)
Left (clockwise 90 degrees)
Down inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Left inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)

Right Corner

To get the right corner, use the following algorithm:

D' R' D R

Down inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Right inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Down (clockwise 90 degrees)
Right (clockwise 90 degrees)

3. Solving Edge-Piece Placement

Use the following algorithm to place the edge pieces and to complete the second layer. The side of the cube with the edge piece that needs to be rotated is going to be your Front (F). These algorithms are for two separate cases.

Right Edge-Piece Placement

When you need to move the edge piece to the right:

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

Up (clockwise 90 degrees)
Right (clockwise 90 degrees)
Up inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Right inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Up inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Front inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Up (clockwise 90 degrees)
Front (clockwise 90 degrees)

Left Edge-Piece Placement

When you need to move the edge piece to the left:

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

Up inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Left inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Up (clockwise 90 degrees)
Left (clockwise 90 degrees)
Up (clockwise 90 degrees)
Front (clockwise 90 degrees)
Up inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Front inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)

4. Getting the White Cross Without Disrupting the Rest of the Cube

To make the white top cross without disturbing the rest of the cube, you should use the following algorithm:

F R U R' U' F'

Front (clockwise 90 degrees)
Right (clockwise 90 degrees)
Up (clockwise 90 degrees)
Right Inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Up Inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Front Inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)

Problem 1

Use the algorithm three times when only the center color is white

Problem 2

Use the algorithm two times when there is a pattern that looks like an "L."

Problem 3

Use the algorithm once when there is a straight horizontal line.

5. Solving Third Layer Edge Pieces

For the following algorithm to work, the third, unsolved layer must be rotated until exactly one of its edges appears to be solved (i.e. it should look like the blue side in the example). This side of the cube (the side that looks exactly like the blue side in the example) should be your Front (F) as you perform the algorithm. You might have to go through the algorithm twice to solve the third layer edges; if this is the case, your Front face should be the same both times.

R U R' U R U U R'

Right (clockwise 90 degrees)
Up (clockwise 90 degrees)
Right inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Up (clockwise 90 degrees)
Right (clockwise 90 degrees)
Up (clockwise 90 degrees)
Up (clockwise 90 degrees)
Right inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)

6. Aligning the Third Layer Corner Pieces

The following algorithm is used to align the corner pieces in the third layer. The order in which the colors are aligned does not matter. When do this, the side that looks like the red side in the example should be your Face. The algorithm is:

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

Up (clockwise 90 degrees)
Right (clockwise 90 degrees)
Up inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Left inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Up (clockwise 90 degrees)
Right inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Up inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Left (clockwise 90 degrees)

7. Aligning the Corners and Finishing the Cube

This last algorithm helps you to correctly place the aligned blocks in their correct position, one piece at a time. The side that looks like the red side in the example should be your Face. The algorithm is:

R' D' R D

Right inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Down inverse (counter-clockwise 90 degrees)
Right (clockwise 90 degrees)
Down (clockwise 90 degrees)

Thoughts? Questions? Sing Out!

I want to be Felix Zemdegs on August 19, 2020:

I was freaking out when I finished solving the first layer because I can't work out where am I

Dreadpool_2000 on August 05, 2020:

I'm stuck on white cross and can't get past it

Finley Ritter on August 04, 2020:

I followed the video and the transitions are awful, they have some whites at the top and then they turn into a full white top. It's rubbish

AHelperForYou:) on August 01, 2020:

Ps if you have trouble with the last algorithm you have to not spin the cube but spin the top of the cube

Anonymous on July 21, 2020:

The very last algorithm doesn't work. Any time I try to use it, it ends in me redoing the entire cube. The other algorithms work pretty well with a bit of practice.

Sarah on May 13, 2020:

So I already new how to do the Rubik's cube but overtime I had forgotten the algorithms that why I came here so this site was very useful since I know where to position my Rubik's cube for each step and I knew what everything meant so thankyou for just providing the algorithms straight out for people like me

Akash.p on May 10, 2020:

Value of face and front

Charles McDaniel on May 06, 2020:

My rubix cube was impossible to solve I think someone took the stickers off

JuJu on May 01, 2020:

My moves solved quick my time is 50 sec blindfolded is that crazy!

Alexander on April 29, 2020:

This algorithm works. I used this method in 2014 and was able to solve the cube in 1 minute and 14 seconds. You just need to stick with it. I used this website to remind my self how to do it.

Mark on April 11, 2020:

My moves from years ago are mostly different, but my record is 1 minute and 28 seconds. A long way off the world record which is 42 seconds, blind folded.

13 year old slover on April 02, 2020:

help a lot my time went from 43 secs to 32 sec new record thanks dude best thing ever

Sanjay reddy on April 01, 2020:

Stupid formulas only three algorithms worked . Waste of time to solve with these .....

msk on March 17, 2020:

it work fine

memyselfandI on March 16, 2020:

What about yellow cross? That's what I'm confused on

matty on March 16, 2020:

helped me a lot I did the normal begginers method but when I saw this it helped me a lot my fastest time went from 1:17:45 to 56:45 helped me loads

ree on March 12, 2020:

I learned a different method and I could solve it each time in less than 2 mins but I forgot and I have been searching for a New algorithm.

dillion on March 08, 2020:

my entire cube is solved except the yellow and blue edge piece only and the yellow and red edge piece only and the yellow and orange piece only. wtf do i do????

JaSonic on February 28, 2020:

algorithm

12 year old solver on February 24, 2020:

Fastest megaminx solve is 1 minute 3 sec

Hey on February 09, 2020:

I cant i am the worst at this

Rostislav on February 08, 2020:

you first need to make the daisy then align the petals with their center an turn it twice then it will match.

Oscar Wang on February 07, 2020:

It is literally the hardest game you'll ever play. I've been trying it at least 2000 times across 16 years and have never even came close to solving it at all.

nightspider on February 01, 2020:

I like this but I would like you to make a clear video on this.

Vaibhav chauhan on January 30, 2020:

I solved it in 45 sec

sreeharsha on January 07, 2020:

i did it last layer

????????????? on January 03, 2020:

I am bad at Rubik Cubes so its hard. I keep trying, though.

Arpan on December 31, 2019:

Fastest solve is 35 seconds for me

inverted on December 29, 2019:

i got my red cross but two of my side pieces are not matching up.so when white and red side piece is aligned with red center piece, and white and orange side piece match orange center piece, then white and green side piece is in position with blue center piece, and white and blue side piece is in position with green center piece. not sure how this is happening or how to fix it.

Libin on December 28, 2019:

I need simple algrethem

Celia on December 24, 2019:

I don't get anything about Rubix's Cube, I can't solve mine! Literally

Why doesn't it work for me? on December 24, 2019:

Ok, so, I got my Rubik's Cube like 6 years ago and my mom shuffled it and I have been trying to fix it ever since and nothing works. I did the first step over and over again, I think like thirty times and I COULDN'T GET IT, maybe this just isn't the thing for me lol, but can someone please actually help me, and don't worry post at the top didn't work either and I did that like at least 25 times (6*25=150) I can't do this anymore xD!

Confused on December 23, 2019:

This is very confusing...where do we do the inverses and thing.

Dont Worry on December 01, 2019:

simple algorithm

Right inverted, Down inverted, Right, Down

repeat 6 times then should get ur rubik cube solved

Sid on November 30, 2019:

Thanks....helped me a lot

Choke Me Poppy on November 29, 2019:

First step doesn't help been doing it over and over again with no success

Taylor on November 22, 2019:

this is very bad solver

Rookie on November 16, 2019:

Is this beginners method?

It's freaking slow

Name on November 15, 2019:

the third step was confusing

Nobody on November 15, 2019:

I made the cross of white

Ak dude on November 02, 2019:

Thanks

A random name on October 29, 2019:

I managed to solve the cube! Thx for the algorithm!

Under boss kid on October 25, 2019:

It was not helpful

Pratyaksh on October 05, 2019:

It is helpful

ur boi thanos on September 20, 2019:

I got to the 2nd layer then i'm confused

HSJA on September 06, 2019:

easy fam soooo easy

Melissa on August 31, 2019:

I was looking for ways to get faster and this eas very very helpful, Gracias.

Kelly Coral on July 16, 2019:

I was looking for a faster way to do it but this way isn't as helpful, it was also kind of confusing.

ark on July 13, 2019:

still dont understand how to make a cross

rain on July 11, 2019:

still don't know what the plan is

Amit on July 01, 2019:

Bottom layer solved, 2 layers solved,

Stuk in 3rd layer, using above algorithms even top most layer solved but upper 3rd layer messed up what to do???

JB on May 29, 2019:

I dont understand the last step... the short algorithm one.

Harshit on May 18, 2019:

A lot of thanks to Rakshith MG

These algorithms are awesome and I want to say also that please add the basic s also because it is a lot confusing in starting but it easier afterwards

Again A lot of thanks to Rakshith MG

P.S. What MG stands for .

shreyash on May 16, 2019:

which algorithm to solve. solve

Lizzy on May 12, 2019:

Omg this stuff is so confusing idk how anyone of you solved it

Brayden on May 07, 2019:

This really helped with notes and I finally learned how to solve a cube and I can get under 15 seconds now

ian on May 02, 2019:

this works after a month of me looking and learning how to i finished my speed cube or solved in 10 sec

Lupe on April 26, 2019:

I need help please.

Yet on April 26, 2019:

Confusing...

unknown on April 26, 2019:

i use cfop so my pb (personal best) is 19.44 sec and average around 29 sec

D on April 23, 2019:

Wtf this is not working fake

Jah-Sire on April 21, 2019:

Solved in 1min 9sec

IVALIU on April 20, 2019:

This site is so amazing!!!!!!

Michael on April 18, 2019:

Interesting stuff

cooper on April 12, 2019:

this aint fricken working

Apapapapaapa on April 06, 2019:

Not the easy way...But I still got it after a few times.

Can't tell my name on April 02, 2019:

Please someone post a video which is very easy to learn

Nothing is going into my head

Please

jeff on March 23, 2019:

solved in 1 min 2 sec

Jolene Johnson on March 17, 2019:

yah right

Harshil on March 13, 2019:

Can you tell what letter is what move.

RANJIT SINGH on March 08, 2019:

it work 100% .

lachlan on March 02, 2019:

i solved it in 1 minute and 12 seconds

B on March 02, 2019:

That's not the only way

Plus, it's not the easy way

Fuck the haters on February 26, 2019:

Watch a video on the 3 layer method then come back and use this site this is not to learn how to solve a cube it is for if you kind of know the steps but don't know the algorithms. I just learned today only from one video and this site and I have already solved the cube multiple times, Im sorry but if you don't understand the cube yet you could have a certain disease called DUMBASSS!

3x3 on February 23, 2019:

it is a good website 3x3 it's good website

Mohd kumail on February 10, 2019:

I want to learn how to solve rubiks cube is there anyone who can help me????

I on February 09, 2019:

Please help me

Viva an on February 08, 2019:

It didn't work for my cube

Mags on January 28, 2019:

Really excellent site. Beats all the others.

anonymous on January 08, 2019:

Can u make a site like this for the 2x2?

good on January 03, 2019:

not yes

Kira Loudon on December 31, 2018:

I need help solving a rubik's cube guys. For some reason, My friend said the corners are mixed up and I can't solve it if the corners are mixed up.

Riley on December 26, 2018:

Is it that simpel .

Gggfh on December 21, 2018:

Dum it's so dumb and beast of a catalyst Hero never give the algorithms again is

Ur boy on December 19, 2018:

I can not be bothered and have no patience please help

Hey on December 09, 2018:

Ok so there's two white crosses there should be a white cross and a yellow cross

MOFO on December 07, 2018:

What if you get a capital T on your final layer?

the one on December 01, 2018:

Step 7 is wrong. Looks like a deliberate troll to mess with people, which is too bad since the rest of the steps are correct and well described.

MOHAMMED YUSUF on November 30, 2018:

Good but in this put some finger moves also.keep it up

emmanuel on November 29, 2018:

i couldnt find any algorithm concerning the barrel cube...i already asked about this before pls those algorithms would be wonderful

Janpreet on November 28, 2018:

Easy peasy using the algo correctly

Niranjan on November 23, 2018:

I want to try it if it will be good. I will like it if it is good I will send to my friends.

unknown on November 16, 2018:

not usefull

My wigga on November 02, 2018:

When I see a scrambled cube I say in my head ya I can do this but then I think and I forgot a a rubix cube even is. The rest of these dots is so I can fill the comment limit 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started to realize I don't want to do the 8 thousand

Ámáán on October 27, 2018:

My dream that i go in world championship of cube

i will not tell my name on October 25, 2018:

the 5th step isnt working for me LOL

fjgfiyfjgdhgxfh on October 18, 2018:

Show them The daisy trick. No need to for the first algorithm

Lola on October 18, 2018:

I dont get anything

Wilson Tom on October 15, 2018:

All my brothers i want to teach you

CDB on October 11, 2018:

Its works a treat

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Source: https://hobbylark.com/puzzles/Rubik-Cube-Algorithms

Stahl Penig1978