cube:rubiks_cube

Rubik's Cube Guide

For Humans

Introduction

This guide teaches a simple beginner method for solving the Rubik's Cube.

If you've been here before and just want to continue practicing [Click Here]

It is not the fastest method in the world, and it is not intended to be. Instead, the goal is to solve the cube by learning only a few simple algorithms that are easy to remember and easy to use.

With practice, most people can solve the cube in about 1 to 2 minutes using this method. Some solves will be faster, some slower, and a lot depends on the scramble. More advanced methods exist, but they often require learning dozens of algorithms and a completely different way of thinking about the cube.

This guide takes a different approach.

To make learning easier, I created a teaching language I call VICU (Visual Cubing).

Instead of using traditional cube notation from the start, VICU describes the physical movement being performed from a fixed viewpoint.

You do not need to ask:

Which side is U?
Where is the Front Face now?
What does R' mean?
Am I holding the cube correctly?

The guide will tell you exactly what moves to perform and exactly how to look at the cube. And every move is shown with clear images.

White parts move.
Grey parts stay still.
The viewpoint is always fixed.

Once you can solve the cube comfortably, you can learn standard cube notation if you want to. A Rosetta Stone in the appendix translates VICU to the standard cube notation used by the wider cubing community.

But for now, forget about all of that.

Meet the Cube

A 3×3 Rubik's Cube has 26 visible pieces, of which 20 are movable.

There are three different types of pieces:

6 Center Pieces
One color.
Fixed in place.

8 Corner Pieces
Three colors.
Movable.

12 Edge Pieces
Two colors.
Movable.

Here is a visual representation of the three different piece types:


CENTER		CORNER		EDGE

The center pieces never change position relative to each other.

The center pieces define the color of that side of the cube.

White is always opposite Yellow.
Blue is always opposite Green.
Red is always opposite Orange.

Think of the center pieces as the cube's compass. They tell you where you are.

VICU Layout

Before we can move the cube, we need names for the different Layers.

VICU uses simple names that describe exactly what you see from your current viewpoint.

There are three horizontal Layers:

T = Top
M = Middle
B = Bottom


TOP		MIDDLE		BOTTOM

There are three vertical Layers:

L = Left
C = Center
R = Right


LEFT		CENTER		RIGHT

Finally, VICU uses three front Layers:

FF = Front Face
FM = Front Middle
FB = Front Back


FF		FM		FB

These names may seem unfamiliar at first. Don't worry. After a few pages you won't even think about them anymore. They will become second nature.

Throughout this guide, the cube is always viewed from the same perspective.

The color on Top may change.
The color in Front may change.
What never changes is your viewpoint.

The Front of the cube is always the side facing you.
The Top of the cube is always the side pointing up.

Whenever you become confused, simply stop and establish a new Home position before continuing.

VICU Notation

VICU moves are intentionally simple.

Every move consists of two parts:

Layer - Direction

The first part tells you what moves.
The second part tells you where it moves.

Examples:

		Move the Top Layer Left. Only the White part of the image moves.
	T-L

		Move the Right Layer Up. Only the White part of the image moves.
	R-U

	Move the Front Face Clockwise. Only the White part of the image moves.
FF-CW

		Rotate the whole cube Right. Everything is White, everything moves.
	RO-R

That's all there is to it.

COLORS Many of the images in this guide do not show all colors on the cube. This is intentional. In many situations the exact colors are not important and could be any color. Showing every color would only add unnecessary information and make the images harder to understand. If a piece is Grey, we do not care what color it is. Your brain can safely ignore it. Focus on the moving pieces. Focus on what matters. Ignore the rest.

Important:

White moves.
Grey stays.

Every VICU image follows the same rule.

White parts move.
Grey parts stay still.

If a Layer is White, that Layer moves.
If a Layer is Grey, it does not move.

This rule never changes.

You do not need to memorize it. After a few pages, your brain will automatically understand it.

The Four Algorithms

The good news is that you only need to learn four algorithms to solve the cube.

An algorithm is simply a sequence of moves that you perform in the same order every time.

You don't need to memorize these algorithms right now. This section is an introduction. You will learn when and why to use them later in the guide.

The algorithms used in this guide are:

RIGHTY

R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

LEFTY

L-U	T-R	L-D	T-L

SUNE

R-U	T-L	R-D	T-L	R-U	T-R	T-R	R-D

NIKLAS

R-U	T-R	L-U	T-L	R-D	T-R	L-D

Don't worry if these names sound strange. You will use them so often that your hands will eventually remember them automatically. Some algorithms even have funny names. For example, Righty is sometimes refered to as “The Sexy Move” by cubers. Why? Honestly, nobody seems to know.

The important thing is this. You only need four algorithms. And before long, they will become second nature.

Solving the Cube

First Layer

White Cross

The first step is to create a White Cross. The corner colors do not matter at this stage. The only important thing is that the four edge pieces match the colors of the center pieces. As you learned earlier, VICU ignores information that is not important right now. We will solve the corners later.

Because of this, there are many ways a White Cross can look. Here are a few examples:

More White Cross Examples

This guide does not explain how to build the White Cross. Most people are able to solve this part by themselves after a little experimentation.

Take your time. Try things. Don't worry if you make mistakes. The White Cross is the warm-up. The real fun begins in the next section.

White Corners

Starting Position:
Yellow on Top.
Front color any.

Find a corner piece with White on it.

In this example we use a corner with White, Blue and Orange on it, but the same rules apply to all White Corners. The important thing is that the corner has White on it and that the other two colors match the center colors on both sides.

The corner does not need to be flipped correctly.

Rotate the Top Layer until the corner is located between the two matching center colors like one of the images below.

The rules are simple:

If White faces Left
Hold the cube so White faces Left

Do 1 LEFTY


L-U	T-R	L-D	T-L

If White faces Right
Hold the cube so White faces Right

Do 1 RIGHTY


R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

If White faces Up
Hold the cube so White faces Right

Do 3 RIGHTY


R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

Can't find a White Corner? It's probably hiding at the Bottom. Hold the cube so it's on the right. Do Righty once. Now it's on Top.

Repeat until all White Corners are solved.

More White Corners Examples

Second Layer

Second Layer Edges

Starting Position:
Yellow on Top.
Front color any.

Find an Edge piece on the Top Layer that belongs in the Second Layer.

The rules are simple:

If the Edge goes Right
Hold the cube so you are looking directly at the Edge that needs to move

Turn the TOP Left and do 1 RIGHTY


T-L		R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

This will put a white corner on the top that you can solve with the method you learned earlier.

If the Edge goes Left
Hold the cube so you are looking directly at the Edge that needs to move

Turn the TOP Right and do 1 LEFTY


T-R		L-U	T-R	L-D	T-L

This will put a white corner on the top that you can solve with the method you learned earlier.

Can't find an Edge to move? Then the remaining Edges are probably hiding in the Second Layer in the wrong places. Don't worry. Take any Edge from the Top Layer and move it into the Second Layer. This will push one of the incorrect Edges to the Top. You can now continue as usual.

Repeat until the Second Layer is complete.

More Second Layer Examples

Common Mistakes

Many people make the same mistakes here.

When they see:

Edge goes Right

The brain naturally wants to do T-R because the Edge is going Right.

But this is incorrect.

When the Edge goes Right, you must first turn the TOP Left T-L

The same is true when the Edge goes Left.

Your brain naturally wants to turn the Top in the same direction as the Edge. This feels strange at first. Don't worry. This is a common mistake and becomes natural with practice.

Third Layer

Yellow Cross

Starting Position:
Yellow on Top.
Front color any.

The first step is to create a Yellow Cross. At this stage the corner and edge colors do not matter. Only the Yellow stickers on the TOP are important.

The rules are simple:

If you have a Yellow Hook
Rotate the Top Layer so the Hook is in the Back Left and matches the image shown

Turn the Front Face Clockwise do 2 Righty Turn the Front Face Counter-Clockwise


FF-CW

R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

FF-CCW

More Yellow Hook Examples

If you have a Yellow Line
Rotate the Top so the Yellow line goes from Left to Right when holding the cube

Turn the Front Face Clockwise do 1 Righty Turn the Front Face Counter-Clockwise


FF-CW

R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

FF-CCW

More Yellow Line Examples

If you have a Yellow Dot
Then we don't care which way we hold the cube.

Turn the Front Face Clockwise do 1 Righty Turn the Front Face Counter Clockwise


FF-CW

R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

FF-CCW

More Yellow Dot Examples

You should now have a starting position where you can use the rules above. If not, repeat this step until you do.

Common Mistakes

Many people make the same mistakes here.

You may have a Yellow Hook, do all the right moves, and still not get the expected result.

That usually means the Hook was facing the wrong way.

The Hook must be in the Back Left position looking exactly like this. Think of it as a mirrored L. If the Hook points any other way, your brain may think it is correct while actually it's not. Rotate the Top Layer until your cube looks like the image. Then continue.

Yellow Edges

Starting Position:
Yellow on Top.
Front color any.

Rotate the TOP and align as many Yellow Edge pieces with their Center colors as possible.

If all four Edges match their Centers, you can skip this step.

Note: You can always align at least two Edges.

The rules are simple:

2 Edges across each other
Hold the cube so the Edges form a line pointing away from you

Do 1 Sune


R-U	T-L	R-D	T-L	R-U	T-R	T-R	R-D

You should now have 2 Edges next to each other.

More Edges Across Examples

2 Edges next to each other
Hold the cube so the matching Edges are in the Back and Right position.

Do 1 Sune


R-U	T-L	R-D	T-L	R-U	T-R	T-R	R-D

You should now be able to align all four Edges with their Centers.

More Edge Next To Each Other Examples

The Yellow Edges are complete.

Common Mistakes

Many people make the same mistakes here.

You may have 2 matching Edges next to each other, do a Sune, and not get the expected result.

That usually means the matching Edges were not in the Back Right position before starting. The image shows the correct starting position. An image with the 2 edges in the Back Right position cannot be displayed, there would be nothing really to see.

Your brain may think:
“I know Sune.”
And skip checking the setup.

This happens to the best of us.

Take a second and make sure the matching Edges are in the Back Right position before doing Sune.

Yellow Corner Position

Starting Position:
Yellow on Top.
Front color any.

Look for a corner that is in the correct place. The Yellow sticker does not matter. The important thing is that the two side colors on the corner match the Center colors on both sides and the Yellow Cross is aligned with the matching Center pieces.

The rules are simple:

No Matching Corners

Do 1 NIKLAS


R-U	T-R	L-U	T-L	R-D	T-R	L-D

Rotate the TOP so the Yellow Cross once again matches the Center pieces.

One Matching Corner
Hold the cube so the matching corner is in the Front Left position

Do 1 NIKLAS


R-U	T-R	L-U	T-L	R-D	T-R	L-D

Rotate the TOP so the Yellow Cross once again matches the Center pieces.

You will now have one of the following:

All corners are in the correct place.
One corner is in the correct place.

If you still have only one corner in the correct place, hold the cube so the matching corner is in the Front Left position and the Yellow Cross is matching the Center pieces. Repeat Niklas until all corners are in the correct place.

When doing Niklas, have the Yellow Cross in the right position and the matching Corner in the Front Left position

Continue until all corners are in the correct place.

Common Mistakes

Many people make the same mistakes here.

You may do Niklas several times and still not get the expected result.

That usually means you forgot the starting position before doing Niklas again.

The matching corner must always be in the Front Left position and the Yellow Edges must also match their Center colors before doing another Niklas.

Your brain may think:
“I know Niklas.”
And immediately start turning.

Take a second and check the setup first.

This happens to the best of us.

Yellow Corner Flip

Turn the cube so White is on Top.

Hold the cube so a correct, but flipped corner is in the Bottom Right position.

The rules are simple:

If Yellow faces Left

Do 4 Righty


R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

If Yellow faces Right

Do 2 Righty


R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

More Yellow Corner Flip Examples

When the first corner is solved:

Turn the Bottom Layer Right B-R until the next unsolved corner is in the Bottom Right position.

Do not rotate the cube.

Only rotate the Bottom Layer. The cube may look more and more scrambled while doing this. This is normal. Do not worry.

Up until now, the guide has taught you to match colors with the Center pieces.

This step is different.

When you turn the Bottom Layer, the corner colors will often stop matching the Center colors as shown here. This is expected. Ignore the side colors for now. The only things that matter are:

Keep the cube fixed in place.
Only turn the Bottom Layer.
Work on the corner in the Bottom Right position.

The pieces will come back together when all corners are solved.

If the next corner is already solved, skip it by turning the Bottom Layer Right until an unsolved corner appears in the Bottom Right position. Repeat until all corners are solved.

And that's it! You solved the cube.

Common Mistakes

Many people make the same mistakes here.

This is probably the most confusing part of the solve.

You may need to turn the Bottom Layer, then do Righty two times, then turn the Bottom Layer again, and maybe or maybe not do Righty four times. Then maybe turn the Bottom Layer again without doing any algorithm at all.

Just reading that may make you want to hyperventilate into a paper bag.

Paper bag not included in this guide.

And while all of this is happening, the cube may look more and more scrambled.

This is normal.

The most common mistake is accidentally rotating the whole cube without noticing it. If that happens, the cube will usually end up as a mess.

So remember:

Go slow.
Do not rotate the cube.
Only turn the Bottom Layer.

If Yellow faces Right:
Do Righty 2 times.

If Yellow faces Left:
Do Righty 4 times.

Count the moves in your head if needed.

Look at the corner.

Stop when the corner is flipped correctly.

If the next corner is already solved, do not solve it again.

Turn the Bottom Layer until an unsolved corner is in the Bottom Right position.

Go slow.

You got this.

Cube Solved

Congratulations!

You have solved the Rubik's Cube.

I hope you enjoyed solving the cube using this guide as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Take a moment and enjoy it.

Seriously.

Scramble the cube and solve it again.
Show your family and friends.
Show off a little. You've earned it.

Now what?

Well…

You can stop here if your only goal was to solve the cube.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

But if you enjoy solving the cube and want to become faster, there is more waiting for you.

My advice is simple:

Do not rush ahead.

If I wake you up at 3 AM and you can solve the cube using this method in around 1 minute and 30 seconds without thinking too much…

Then you are ready.

The Appendix contains tips and tricks, a cheat sheet, and the Rosetta Stone that translates VICU to the standard Rubik's Cube notation used by the wider cubing community.

Work in progress are additional algorithms such as Anti Sune, U-Perm, T-Perm, H-Perm, Z-Perm and more.

But remember:

The goal was never to learn the most algorithms.

The goal was to understand the cube.

And now…

You do.

Appendix

Speed Tips

White Corner

White Corner At Bottom

Sometimes you will find a White Corner that is already in the correct position, but flipped the wrong way. You can solve these cases directly. No need to move the corner to the Top Layer first.

The rules are simple:

If White faces Left
Hold the cube so White faces Left

Do 2 LEFTY


L-U	T-R	L-D	T-L

L-U	T-R	L-D	T-L

If White faces Right
Hold the cube so White faces Right

Do 2 RIGHTY


R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

Preserve Second Layer Edges

You may have noticed something interesting. When White faces Up and you do 3 Righty, the Second Layer Edge stays in place. We can do the same when White faces Left or Right. This trick lets you solve the White Corner without disturbing the Second Layer Edge.

If White faces Left

Turn the TOP Right and do 1 LEFTY


T-R		L-U	T-R	L-D	T-L

Now solve the Corner as you normally would, this will preserve the Second Layer Edge.

If White faces Right

Turn The TOP Left and do 1 RIGHTY


T-L		R-U	T-L	R-D	T-R

Now solve the Corner as you normally would, this will preserve the Second Layer Edge.