Are you looking for a challenge?
Solving a Rubik's cube may seem like an impossible feat, but
with the help of some simple algorithms, anyone can conquer
the cube. The following methods are the most popular for
beginners, however, the best way to do it is with an interactive
cube like the GoCube (GET IT HERE) as it provides an
interactive learning experience and many more features.
This tutorial will teach you everything you need to know to
solve your first 3×3 cube from start to finish. With a few easy
steps, you will be a Rubik's cube master in no time!
Face:
There are 6 faces on a cube. The face is
determined by the color of the centerpiece, which
never moves.
Centerpiece:
These are the center tiles, and are fixed in their
positions. There are 6 centerpieces.
Edge piece:
These always lie between the centerpieces, and
are 2 colors. There are 12 edge pieces.
Corner piece:
The corner piece is composed of 3 colors. In a
solved cube the corner of a face will always match
the centerpiece on that face. There are 8 corner
pieces.
A rubiks cube is solved using a series of movements that form
algorithms. These movements are represented by 6 letters,
known as notations. The default position of the cube should
remain fixed, with the white face always facing up.
R – rotate the right face of your cube clockwise
L - rotate the left face of your cube clockwise
U – rotate the up face of your cube clockwise
D – rotate the down face of your cube clockwise
F – rotate the front face of your cube clockwise
B – rotate the back face of your cube clockwise
Notations followed by an apostrophe ( for example: U’) indicate a
counterclockwise rotation of that face. The suffix “2” (e.g. R2, U2…)
means a double rotation of that face, or turning 180 degrees.
The following are two examples of algorithms that
will be used to solve the cube:
the “right hand algorithm” and the “left hand algorithm”.
Some algorithms may include the notation “spin the
cube”, the rotation direction will be specified in the step.
Clockwise
Counterclockwise
This step includes 2 mini-steps: the
daisy and the cross. Start with daisy,
or four white edge pieces around the
yellow center piece. This mini step is
based on trial and error, but for extra
help view this video.
02
Turn the daisy into a white cross.
Position the cube with the daisy facing up and the greenwhite edge facing you. Holding the top layer in place,
rotate the bottom 2 layers so the green edge is lined up
with its center. Now rotate the front face twice to bring
that piece to its correct position in the bottom layer, or F2.
Next, perform the same steps for the other white edges
one at a time. Spin the cube so the next edge is facing you
and repeat this step three times until a white cross is
formed.
Locate a corner piece and where it would be in the solved
state by identifying the 2 faces it should sit between (a
face is identified by the centerpiece).
Flip the cube so yellow is on top. Choose a corner piece in the top
layer. Position the cube so the corner piece faces you on the right
side. Holding the top layer in place, rotate the bottom 2 layers until the
corner is above its placement in a solved state. Use the “right-hand
algorithm” or RUR’U’. Repeat this move until the corner piece is
properly in place. When it is in place, locate the next white corner and
repeat the same process for the next 3 corners. In the case where a
corner is placed correctly in the bottom layer but not oriented
correctly, repeat the right-hand algorithm until the corner is in place.
04
Solve the middle layer.
This step will use both the “Left hand” and the “Right
hand” algorithm. The idea here is to locate the 4 edge
pieces that belong in the middle layer and correctly place
them. Yellow faces up for this step. Find an edge at the top
layer that doesn’t contain yellow. Position the cube so this
edge is facing you. First, rotate the bottom 2 layers so the
edge piece is on the correct face.
There are 2 cases: this piece needs to move
right or left.
In order to move this edge piece right, complete
the following steps. First rotate the top layer to
the opposite direction that the edge piece
should go. Since you want the edge piece to go
to the right, start with the right-hand algorithm.
Spin the cube clockwise. There should be a
white corner on your left side. Perform the lefthand algorithm using your left hand. The edge is
now in place.
In the case where the edge piece needs to move
to the left complete the same algorithm
mirrored. First rotate the top layer to the
opposite direction that the edge piece should
go. Since you want the edge piece to go to the
left, you’re going to start with the left hand
algorithm. Spin the whole cube 90 degrees
counterclockwise. There should be a white
corner on your right. Perform the right hand
algorithm. The edge is now in place.
Currently, there are 3 optional positions
for the yellow face: a dot with no edges
in place, a half cross, or a line. If the
yellow face contains a half cross spin the
cube so the cross is pointing right and
facing you. If the yellow face contains a
line, spin the cube so that it is horizontal.
For each case use the following
algorithm, F, right-hand algorithm, F’.
This algorithm may be needed a few
times in order to place the corner
correctly.
06
Position the yellow corners in place.
First, locate where each yellow corner should be placed on
the solved cube. Keeping in mind orientation of the
corner doesn’t yet matter, you
may need to swap 2 adjacent
corners. Use the following
algorithm. Keeping the yellow
face on top, spin the entire
cube so both corners that need
to be swapped are to your right. Next perform three right
hand algorithms, spin the cube clockwise, then three lefthand algorithms. Lastly, rotate the top layer until all of the
corners are in the right place. To swap 2 diagonal corners
perform the same series twice until it is placed correctly.
There might be corners that are in the correct place but
not oriented in the right direction. Hold the cube so white
faces up and the corner that needs reorientation is on
your bottom right. Repeat the right-hand algorithm until
the corner is in place. Then hold the top 2 layers while
rotating the bottom layer clockwise. If this corner is not
correctly oriented repeat the right-hand algorithm until it
is in place. Do this for all four corners.
08
Position the yellow edges in place, or swap the location
of the last 4 yellow edges.
If there is no solved side (orange, blue, red and green) in
order to solve one side first perform this algorithm holding
the yellow side up F2 U L R’F2 L’R U F2. When one side is
solved, hold your cube so the yellow face is up
and the solved side is facing
backward. There are 2 cases:
the edges need to move
clockwise or
counterclockwise. To move
the edges clockwise perform this algorithm: F2 U L R’F2
L’R U F2. To move the edges counterclockwise perform
this algorithm: F2 U’ L R’ F2 L’ R U’ F2
Congratulations on solving
the “impossible” Rubik’s cube!
NOW let’s see if you can GO to the
next level and beat Cubers from
around the world with the GoCube!
BATTLE MODE