How to Solve a Rubik's Cube (Easy Move Notation)

How to solve a rubik's cube easily - Solving the Rubix cube is made piece by piece, just like any other puzzle.

Therefore the solution is divided into steps each of which solves number of pieces without destroying the ones completed on previous steps.

There are 3-types of pieces: center, which has 1-sticker/color per cube; edge, which has 2-stickers; and corner, which has 3-stickers.

Rubik's cube move notations are made in order to convey a sequence of moves through writing. When describing the solution we'll use the following move notations .

Notation:

To follow this method, we'll be completing a series of moves known as algorithms. As we'll see, these sequences manipulate the piece(s) into desired locations and remarkably every scenario has a solution. Letters correspond to a part of the cube:

• R: right
• L: left
• U: up
• D: down
• F: front
• B: back

When the algorithm lists one of these letters, it means that part of the cube should be moved 90° clockwise.

So for F, the cube's front or face will be turned clockwise once. When the letter appears with apostrophe ('), then it means the part should be turned counterclockwise.

The Solution

For this method, the only letters that will be used are: R, U, L, and F, where a lowercase letter means that the move should be done for 2-layers (e.g., f means that the first 2-front/face layers should be turned once). As an example, the algorithm of R U R' U' translates to:

• R: right side turn clockwise
• U: top layer turn clockwise
• R: right side turn counterclockwise
• U: top layer turn counterclockwise

Step-1: Making the White Cross

The 1st step is solving the white cross, which actually begins with solving the daisy.

For simplicity, the step is broken down into sub-steps. First, the goal is to create a "daisy" by surrounding a yellow center with white-edges. There's no algorithm for either the daisy or white cross.

To get the white-edges into place, it should take one (1) to three (3) moves and is intuitive.

By solving 1-edge, we'll see how the other edges can be moved into the place with simple turns:


Here, an empty-space is moved into place and then a white-edge takes its spot.

Once the daisy is achieved, it's time for sub-step number 2: forming the white-cross, which focuses on the white-edge pieces that have just been moved into place.

The objective is to 1st-line up the white-edge piece's other color with its center.

To do so, simply rotate the 2-bottom layers until the colors match up (green to green, blue to blue, etc.).

Once they are, rotate the face or front (180°) to move the white-edge on the bottom, where the white dot/center is waiting. (Note: Because the daisy has a yellow dot, we know the opposite is the white.) Do this for all the colors and we'll end up with the cross.

Step-2: Getting the 1st-Layer Corners

In this step, we will first use the R U R' U' algorithm learned above. This algorithm has many purposes. Among them, dropping a corner piece from the top-right to the bottom-right slot.

For this step, we'll be filling in the white-corners of the white-cross. To do it, we'll simply be loading a white-corner piece into the top-right, and then through repetition of the R U R' U' sequence, dropping it down to the bottom. It will take 3-passes:

We will always be working from the top-right corner. Once one corner on the bottom is solved, rotate the bottom 2-layers together to move another white-corner piece into place.

This algorithm can also help when a corner-piece is twisted and trapped, or when 2-corners are in the wrong positions and need to swap.

For these scenarios, we'll simply repeat the R U R' U' algorithm for the piece until it's solved. It will take more than the previous three.

Once all corners are solved, the 1st-layer will be complete: 9-white stickers with a 4-color ring:

Step-3: Getting the 2nd-Layer Edges

For the 3rd-step, we will use another algorithm. This one for the left: L' U' L U, which means:

• L': left side turn counterclockwise
• U': top layer turn counterclockwise
• L: left side turn clockwise
• U: top layer turn clockwise.

In this step, we'll be solving the edge pieces of the 2nd-layer, meaning an edge piece's 2-colors should be matched to their center.

We'll use both the right and left algorithms to solve the edges, as well as utilize a spin of the cube either to the right or left to move the edge piece into place.

In this case here, the orange/green-edge piece found at the top needs to be moved to the right and down to the 2nd-layer.

To do this, we will first make sure the top-edge piece is in the correct starting position: above its same color center. We are simply moving it down and to the right or left. Once it is, follow this:

• U (turn the top-layer clockwise once, 90°)
• R U R' U'
• spin right
• L' U' L U

To remember this, note that we will always spin the top-layer in the direction opposite of where we want the edge to go.

So if to the right, move it away (clockwise, to the left). Then the algorithm corresponding to the edge we want it to go in (e.g. R U R' U' for right). Then spin the cube in that same direction, and follow it up with the opposite algorithm.

Once all the 2nd-layers edges are solved, it will look like two-thirds of the cube is done. Now all that remains is to solve the top/3rd-layer.

Step-4: Making the Top Yellow Cross

This step will begin the solution for the final-layer of the layer-by-layer method. We're nearly there! And if we're lucky, we already formed the top-yellow cross after completing step-3. If so, skip ahead and move on to step-5!

For those who don't have a top-yellow cross, there are only 3-scenarios we will ever see: the line, the angle, and the dot. Depending on which one we have, that will determine which algorithm we apply.

here we can see the line, the angle, and the dot.

For the line, we'll find the yellow squares are connected from the top left-corner to the bottom-right. To create the cross, simply:

• F
• R U R' U'
• F'

With the angle, we'll find a yellow right angle formed by the right and bottom-edge pieces with the center. To form the cross, perform this:

• f (front 2-layers)
• R U R' U'
• f'

(Think of it as being the same as the line, only we turn the 2-front faces instead of just one.)

And with the dot, there are no edges found with the yellow-center. In this scenario, we simply combine the algorithms for the line and angle. First, the line:

• F
• R U R' U'
• F'

This will result in a familiar look: the yellow right-angle, so simply complete the sequence for the angle:

• f
• R U R' U'
• f'

And our yellow-cross is complete.

Step-5: Positioning the Last-Layer Corners

In this step, we'll either find that the yellow-corners are in their correct positions, meaning that the other 2-colors of the corner piece are adjacent to their correct completed-side. If so, then move on to step-6.

If, however, a corner piece isn't in the correct position, such as this orange/green/yellow-piece below, which should be where the red/green/yellow-corner is, then we need to move it into position. (Note: Don't worry yet about which way the yellow-sticker is facing):

There are only 2-scenarios we'll encouter: corners that need to switch places opposite each other or corners that need to swap diagonally.

Scenario(one): When there are 2-corners oppposite each other that need to swap, simply hold the cube with the yellow-cross on top with the corners that need to switch positions on the right. Then, this algorithm:

• R U R' U' (x3)
• spin right
• L' U' L U (x3)

(We may have to rotate the bottom 2-layers to line up the centers with their top edges to get a better view of the corners' positions, which will help determine which sequence to apply.)

Scenario(two): The other scenario is when we need to swap 2-corners diagonally.
To do so, first, do the algorithm just learned. It can be done from any angle, so long as the yellow-dot is facing up:

• R U R' U' (x3)
• spin right
• L' U' L U (x3)

After this, we'll always end up with an opposite swap. So then simply perform the sequence again, but back to with the corners to swap on the right:

• R U R' U' (x3)
• spin right
• L' U' L U (x3)

Just think of this as 2-opposite swaps = 1-diagonal swap.

Step-6: Twisting the Last-Layer Corners

With the yellow-corners in position, all that's left to do is to twist them so that their yellow-sticker is facing the same side as the yellow-cross if they're not already.

To get started, we will flip the cube upside down so that the completed white side is on top, the yellow on the bottom.

the green/red/yellow corner piece is correctly facing down

We'll be using the R U R' U' algorithm to twist the yellow-sticker into place. To do so, find a corner that needs to be twisted (like the above blue/yellow/orange corner) and make sure it's on the bottom right.

Next, start the R U R' U' sequence. Stop when the yellow changes position and is facing down, joining the other yellow-sided cubes.

Once done, simply load the next-corner that's twisted into the bottom right-corner and repeat.

To get the corner in position, turn the bottom-layer only. Do not spin the cube. Twist the bottom. We may need to do a double turn (180°) to get the corner loaded into the bottom right-corner.

Keep going until all the yellow-corners are facing down. The result will be: yellow is solved.

Step-7: Positioning the Last Layer-Edges

The last step! Now with the yellow-side turned up, turn the bottom 2-layers together to get the corners into their solved state (with their correct colors).

We'll find that everything should be solved except for the edges on the last-layer. There are 2-cases:

One Edge Solved:

To solve it, turn the cube so that the solved-edge is facing us, in the front. After this, we will perform these moves:

• R U R' U'
• L' U' L U
• R U R' U' (x 5)
• L' U' L U (x 5)

Do this and our cube is solved!

No Edges Solved:

It's very simple. Basically, the same sequence repeated twice. First:

• R U R' U'
• L' U' L U
• R U R' U' (x5)
• L' U' L U (x5)

It will solve one side of the cube, which will bring us to the "one edge solved" scenario and we know how to solve it. Again:

• R U R' U'
• L' U' L U
• R U R' U' (x5)
• L' U' L U (x5)

Solved!

That's it! We solved the Rubix Cube! In just 7-steps.

Here's the tutorial video from youtube in its entirety if you'd like to check it out!

How to Solve the Rubik’s Cube: An Easy Tutorial