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

Learning how to solve a Rubik’s cube might seem daunting at first, but with the right method, anyone can master this classic puzzle. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to improve your solving time, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the layer-by-layer method, the most popular approach for beginners. By following these steps and practicing regularly, you’ll be solving the cube confidently in no time.

Table of Contents

• Understanding the Rubik’s Cube
• Rubik’s Cube Notations and Moves
• 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 Final Layer
• Pro Tips for Faster Solving

Understanding the Rubik’s Cube

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

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

The cube moves in three dimensions, with each layer capable of rotating independently. The key to solving the cube lies in understanding how these pieces move relative to each other.

Rubik’s Cube Notations and Moves

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

• F – Front face clockwise
• F’ – Front face counter-clockwise
• R – Right face clockwise
• R’ – Right face counter-clockwise
• L – Left face clockwise
• L’ – Left face counter-clockwise
• U – Up face clockwise
• U’ – Up face counter-clockwise
• D – Down face clockwise
• D’ – Down face counter-clockwise
• B – Back face clockwise
• B’ – Back face counter-clockwise

Step 1: Solving the White Cross

The first step in learning how to solve a Rubik’s cube is creating the white cross on the top face:

1. Locate the white edge pieces (they have white plus one other color)
2. Position each edge so the white side faces up and the colored side matches its center
3. If an edge is in the wrong position or orientation, use F, R, L, or U moves to free it
4. Repeat until all four white edges form a cross aligned with their respective centers

Common Issues and Solutions

• Edge stuck in bottom layer: Rotate the bottom layer to position it below its target, then do F2
• Edge in correct position but flipped: Remove it with R U R’ and reinsert correctly

Step 2: Completing the White Face

Now we’ll complete the entire white face by adding the corner pieces:

1. Look for white corners in the bottom layer
2. Position each corner below its correct spot (matching all three colors)
3. Use the algorithm: R’ D’ R D (repeat until corner is correctly placed)
4. If a white corner is on top but incorrectly placed, move it down first

Step 3: Solving the Middle Layer

With the white face complete, flip the cube (white on bottom) and solve the middle layer edges:

1. Find an edge in the top layer without yellow
2. Align its top color with the matching 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 yellow face, starting with the cross:

1. Look at the yellow face patterns
2. If you have a dot: F R U R’ U’ F’
3. If you have an L-shape: Position at 9 o’clock and do F R U R’ U’ F’
4. If you have a line: Position horizontally and do F R U R’ U’ F’

Step 5: Completing the Yellow Face

Now we’ll make all yellow face pieces yellow:

1. Hold the cube with one non-yellow corner in the front-right-top position
2. Perform: R U R’ U R U2 R’
3. Repeat until that corner is yellow (don’t rotate the cube)
4. Rotate the top layer to position next non-yellow corner and repeat

Step 6: Positioning the Corners

Now we’ll position the corners correctly (colors may still be rotated):

1. Find a correctly positioned corner (if none, do the algorithm once)
2. Hold this corner at front-right-top
3. Perform: U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L
4. Rotate only the top layer to position next corner and repeat

Step 7: Orienting the Final Layer

The final step in learning how to solve a Rubik’s cube is positioning the edges:

1. If all