How to Solve Rubik's Cube ? [Beginners Method] (2023)

Rubik's cube is among the most loved and popular puzzles. It might seem a quite intimidating challenge for some, but that does not need to be the case. If you have some trouble solving the Rubik's cube, don't give up just yet.

All you need are a few algorithms (that we will cover later in this article) and sheer determination to solve the cube. The easiest way to learn to solve a cube is to follow proven guides and tutorials.

In this beginner's guide, we will walk through the steps to solve the cube, with notations and descriptions of the algorithms that you would need to memorize. But before we jump right in, let's get familiar with the terms associated with the Rubik's cube.

Important Vocabulary To Learn

Before you follow algorithms and strategies, we need to cover the base on some cube vocabulary. This will, therefore, make it simple for you to follow algorithms and permutations.

Edge

An edge is a part where two different colours meet, and there are 12 edges in all.

Corner

A corner is a piece located in the corner of each side of the cube. There are eight corners in all visible colours.

Center

The centre cubes are situated in the centre of each side and have one visible colour. They do not move position, and there are six such centres in a Rubik's cube.

Faces

The Rubik's cube consists of six sides or faces. As we go through this guide, you would notice a prominent assumption that you are seeing the cube with the white face up.

Regular And Inverted Turns

There are two ways to turn a layer – regular and inverted. A regular turn is a clockwise turn, and an inverted turn is a counterclockwise turn. In the notation that we will cover below, you would notice that the inverted turn is represented as 'i'. Therefore, a notation like Ri would mean that you need to rotate the right side anticlockwise. At times Ri is also represented as R’ (R dash or R prime).

Rubik's Cube Algorithm

An algorithm in the context of solving a Rubik's cube is an operation or a series of sequences and rotations that will help move the blocks into the desired outcome.

Cubing Notation to remember

How To Solve A Rubik's Cube

To learn how to solve a Rubik’s Cube, you can watch our step by step tutorial

Step 1: Solve the first layer.

To get started with solving thisbeginner Rubik’s Cube, you would need to unscramble it until a white cross is formed on the face. A cross on a Rubik’s Cube encompasses four edges and the edges are corresponding to the centres on the other side. As a beginner, consider starting with the centre with the sticker or the white centre.

Once you have created the white cross, you can use some algorithms to solve this puzzle in no time and bring it to its original form.

Note: White face should be at the bottom

The above algorithm will help you locate all the corners in the right places.

• Bring the corner piece above its correct position and apply the algorithm until it is placed correctly..

Keep repeating this algorithm until all the corners fit into the right places.

• If you notice that a piece is in position but not in the right face, in such a case, you need to bring that piece out of its position using the same algorithm. This will bring the piece above its position and repeating the algorithm a few times will bring the piece in its right position.

Step 2: Solve the second layer.

Similar to the first step, solving the second layer also involves four pieces. However, instead of four corners, it now encompasses four edges. Therefore, you need to first search for the edges. Remember that the colour of the piece that you are looking for should match with the centre. To position your pieces correctly, you must keep that face to your right , then see if it should be placed in front or at the back.

Situation 1: If the edge piece should be placed in front.

Then apply the following algorithm

Situation 2: If the edge piece should be placed at the back.

Then apply the following algorithm

These algorithms will help you get the desired edges into their positions. You can repeat this algorithm until you get the desired edge colours placed in accordance with the colour of the centrepiece. This will help you finish solving the second layer.

Step 3: Orientation of the last layer

Now that you are done solving two layers of the Rubik’s Cube, you need to solve the third or the last layer. However, you would now be in one out of three situations.

Situation 1: You would encounter a dot in the centre of the face.

Situation 2: You would encounter an L-shape on the face.

• Hold the cube as shown below.

Situation 3: You would encounter a bar shape on the face.

• Hold the cube in such a way that the bar appears horizontal as shown below.

In either of the cases, you can use this algorithm

Once you have executed the algorithm, you would have a yellow cross on the face. You can repeat the algorithm until you get the yellow cross on the top.

You then need to get all the yellow coloured pieces facing upwards. For this step, you must use the Sune algorithm.

Note: Remember to hold the cube in such a way that the unsolved corner is at the top left position.

You can encounter the following situations while applying this algorithm.

Situation 1: If only one corner is matched then you have to keep that piece to the top left and apply the algorithm .

Situation 2: If two corner pieces are solved then keep them vertical to your right and then apply the algorithm .

Situation 3: If two opposite pieces match then keep the unsolved piece to top left by rotating the top layer and apply the algorithm.

You can repeat this algorithm until all the colours match with the face.

Step 4: Permutation of the last layer(PLL)

The next step involves permuting all the remaining pieces of the cube into their correct positions. There are two simple algorithms you can use for this step.

Algorithm 1: T-Perm Algorithm

To use the T-Perm algorithm

Situation1: If two corners adjacent to each other are of the same colour.

Match the colours to the face they belong to, and keep this solved face to your left. What you will then have on the face is an unsolved corner on which you should perform this T-Perm algorithm. You can repeat this algorithm until all the corner pieces are solved.

Situation2: If no two adjacent corners are solved.

In such a case, you must search for one solved corner. Position this towards your top left and execute the T-Perm algorithm.

Once done, you need to look for two corner pieces that are adjacent to each other and are solved. Match those corner pieces with their centerpiece, position it towards your left and perform the T-Perm algorithm.

Repeat this until all the corner pieces are oriented correctly.

However, the edges are yet to be oriented with their centerpieces. To do this, you must execute the U-Perm algorithm.

Algorithm 2: U-Perm Algorithm

Note: To execute this algorithm, find one edge piece that has been solved. Orient that with its centerpiece and hold it at the back. The three remaining edge pieces will have to be rotated on the top layer. You would notice that the pieces need to be moved in a counterclockwise manner. Execute this U-Perm to complete solving the remaining pieces.

Read More -13 benefits of solving Rubik's cube

Wrapping it up!

And there you have it! There is no denying that you might need to invest a considerable amount of time to get the hang of it. However, master this beginner's method before you move on to learning any advanced methods. This beginner's method will create a great foundation for you to understand the working of the cube and seamless movements of your fingers. Thereafter you can move on to learning finger tricks that will help reduce your average time.

If you want to get faster at solving a Rubik's cube, read our recent guide on how to get faster in Rubik's Cubefrom beginner to pro level.

Happy speedcubing!