How to Solve a 3x3 Rubik's Cube
The definitive beginner's guide to solving the Rubik's Cube layer by layer. Easy to follow instructions with 3D diagrams.
Solving the Rubik's Cube might seem impossible at first, but with this step-by-step guide, you'll master it in no time. We use the **Layer-by-Layer** method, which is the easiest way for beginners to learn.
Before you start
Make sure you are familiar with Cube Notation. Knowing what R, U', or F2 means is essential!
Step 1: The White Cross
The goal is to form a white cross on the top face. Each white edge must also match the center color of its adjacent side face.
Find a white edge piece and move it to the top layer. Make sure the side color of that edge matches the center piece it sits next to.
There is no single algorithm for this step — it requires intuition. Take your time and experiment!
Tip: Start with the white center on top. Look for white edges on the bottom or middle layers first — they are often the easiest to move up.
Step 2: The White Corners
Now we complete the first layer by solving the four white corner pieces. Each corner has three colors — white plus two side colors that must match the adjacent centers.
Find a white corner piece in the bottom layer. Rotate the bottom layer (D) until the corner sits directly below where it belongs — the side colors should line up with the matching center pieces. Hold the cube so the target corner is at the front-right-bottom.
Before applying the algorithm, make sure the non-white colors of the corner match the centers next to it. This alignment is critical — the algorithm won't work if the corner is below the wrong slot.
White Faces Right
White Faces You
White Faces Down
Don't panic! During repetitions the cube will look scrambled — that is completely normal! Keep going and the corner will click into place.
Tip: If a white corner is already in the top layer but in the wrong spot or twisted, use the same algorithm once to pop it out to the bottom layer, then re-insert it correctly.
Step 3: The Middle Layer
Flip the cube upside down so the white face is on the bottom and the yellow face is on top. From now on, yellow stays on top for the rest of the solve!
With the white layer complete, it's time to solve the middle layer — the four edges sandwiched between the top and bottom layers. These are the edges that have no yellow on them.
Step 3: The Middle Layer — Goal
Look at the four edges in the top layer. You're looking for any edge that has no yellow sticker on either side. If an edge has yellow on it, skip it — that one belongs in the last layer and we'll deal with it later.
Once you find an edge without yellow, rotate the top layer (U moves) until the front-facing color of that edge matches the center directly below it. You'll see a T-shape form — that's how you know it's in position. Now look at the top color of that edge: does it match the center on the right, or the center on the left? That tells you which algorithm to use.
Edge Goes Right →
The top color matches the right center.
← Edge Goes Left
The top color matches the left center.
What If an Edge Is Stuck?
Sometimes an edge is already in the middle layer but flipped — the colors are swapped (e.g., red is on the green face and green is on the red face). To fix it, simply hold the flipped edge at the front-right and run either algorithm. The same algorithm that inserts edges also fixes flipped ones! Here's an example with a flipped front-right edge:
Tip: Repeat this process for all four middle edges. It gets faster each time — by the fourth edge, you'll barely need to think about it!
Step 4: The Yellow Cross
Now look at the top (yellow) face. You will see one of three patterns: a dot (no yellow edges on top), an L-shape (two yellow edges forming a corner), or a line (two yellow edges in a straight line).
Apply this algorithm to progress one step at a time: Dot → L-Shape → Line → Cross. You may need to repeat it up to 3 times.
For the L-shape: hold it so the two yellow edges point to the back and to the left (like a backwards 'L' in the top-left). For the line: hold it horizontally (left-right).
Step 5: Align Yellow Cross Edges
You now have a yellow cross, but the side colors of the yellow edges may not match their centers yet. Rotate the top layer (U) until at least two edges match their center colors.
If two <strong>adjacent</strong> edges match: hold the cube so the two matching edges are at the back and the right. If two <strong>opposite</strong> edges match: hold the cube so one matching edge faces you. Then apply the algorithm. Repeat if needed.
Step 6: Position Yellow Corners
Now we move the yellow corners to their correct positions. A corner is in the correct position when the three colors on it match the three centers around it — even if the corner is twisted the wrong way.
Find one corner that is in the correct position and hold it at the front-right-top. If none are correct, apply the algorithm once from any angle — this will create one correct corner. Then hold that corner at the front-right and repeat.
Step 7: Orient Yellow Corners
This is the final step! The corners are in the right positions but may be twisted. We will fix them one at a time using the same algorithm from Step 2.
CRITICAL: Between solving each corner, turn ONLY the top layer (U) to bring the next unsolved corner to the front-right position. Do NOT rotate the whole cube — it will look like you are messing up the rest of the cube, but trust the process! It all comes together at the end.
Hold the cube so an unsolved (twisted) corner is at the front-right-top. Repeat the algorithm below until that corner's yellow sticker faces up. Then turn only U to bring the next unsolved corner to the front-right, and repeat.