How to Solve Rubik’s Cube: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Learning how to solve Rubik’s Cube can seem daunting at first, but with the right approach, anyone can master this classic puzzle. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the layer-by-layer method, the most beginner-friendly approach to solving the 3×3 Rubik’s Cube. Whether you’re a complete novice or have struggled with the cube before, our step-by-step instructions will help you understand the logic behind each move and develop the skills to solve it consistently.

Table of Contents

• Understanding the Rubik’s Cube
• Basic Rubik’s Cube Terminology
• The Layer-by-Layer Solving Method
• Step 1: Solving the White Cross
• Step 2: Completing the White Face
• Step 3: Solving the Middle Layer
• Step 4: Creating the Yellow Cross
• Step 5: Completing the Yellow Face
• Step 6: Positioning the Corners
• Step 7: Orienting the Edges
• Helpful Tips and Tricks

Understanding the Rubik’s Cube

Before learning how to solve Rubik’s Cube, it’s important to understand its structure. The standard 3×3 Rubik’s Cube consists of:

• Center pieces (6 total) – Fixed in position and determine each face’s color
• Edge pieces (12 total) – Have two colors each
• Corner pieces (8 total) – Have three colors each

The cube moves in three dimensions, with each face able to rotate independently. The key to solving the cube lies in understanding how these pieces move relative to each other.

Basic Rubik’s Cube Terminology

To effectively learn how to solve Rubik’s Cube, you need to understand standard cube notation:

Face Turns

• F – Front face clockwise
• R – Right face clockwise
• U – Up (top) face clockwise
• B – Back face clockwise
• L – Left face clockwise
• D – Down (bottom) face clockwise

Other Notations

• An apostrophe (‘) means counterclockwise (e.g., F’)
• The number 2 means turn twice (e.g., R2)
• Lowercase letters indicate turning two layers (e.g., r)

The Layer-by-Layer Solving Method

The layer-by-layer method is the most beginner-friendly approach to how to solve Rubik’s Cube. This method breaks the solution into seven manageable steps, solving one layer at a time from bottom to top.

Step 1: Solving the White Cross

The first step in how to solve Rubik’s Cube is creating a white cross on the bottom face (which we’ll later turn to be the top for easier solving).

1. Find the white center piece – this will be your bottom face
2. Locate the four white edge pieces
3. Position each white edge so its other color matches the adjacent center
4. Use moves like F, R, U, etc. to position them correctly

Tip: Don’t worry about the white corners yet – focus only on the edges forming a cross.

Step 2: Completing the White Face

Now we’ll solve the white corners to complete the first layer:

1. Look for white corner pieces in the top layer
2. Position the corner above its correct spot (where white meets two other colors)
3. Use the algorithm: R U R’ U’ (repeat as needed)
4. If a white corner is in the bottom layer but wrong, bring it up first

Step 3: Solving the Middle Layer

With the first layer complete, we’ll now solve the middle layer edges:

1. Find edge pieces in the top layer without yellow
2. Align the edge’s top color with its center
3. Determine if it needs to go left or right
4. For left: U’ L’ U L U F U’ F’
5. For right: U R U’ R’ U’ F’ U F

Step 4: Creating the Yellow Cross

Now we’ll work on the last layer, starting with a yellow cross:

1. Look at the yellow face – you may see a dot, L-shape, or line
2. Use the algorithm: F R U R’ U’ F’
3. Apply it once for an L-shape (position at 9 o’clock)
4. Apply it twice for a dot
5. For a line, position horizontally and apply once

Step 5: Completing the Yellow Face

Now we’ll make all yellow face pieces yellow:

1. Hold the cube with yellow on top
2. Look for non-yellow corners in the top layer
3. Use the algorithm: R U R’ U R U2 R’
4. Repeat until all top face pieces are yellow
5. You may need to do this 2-3 times

Step 6: Positioning the Corners

Now we’ll position the corners correctly (colors may still need rotation):

1. Find a corner that’s in the right position (colors match centers)
2. Hold this corner at front-right-top
3. Use