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 and practice, anyone can master this iconic puzzle. This 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 eventually solve the cube with confidence.

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 Corners
• Pro Tips for Faster Solving

Understanding the Rubik’s Cube

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

• Center pieces (6 total) – These determine the color of each face and never move relative to each other
• Edge pieces (12 total) – Each has two colors
• Corner pieces (8 total) – Each has three colors

The cube moves by rotating layers around the center pieces. The standard color scheme is white opposite yellow, blue opposite green, and red opposite orange.

Rubik’s Cube Notations and Moves

To follow cube-solving algorithms, you need to understand the standard notation:

Basic Moves

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

Advanced Moves

• x, y, z – Whole cube rotations
• M, E, S – Middle layer moves
• f, r, u – Double layer turns

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 white edge so its other color matches the center piece of the corresponding side
3. Use the algorithm F R U R’ U’ F’ to flip an incorrectly oriented edge
4. Repeat until all four white edges are correctly positioned

Step 2: Completing the White Face

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

1. Find a white corner in the bottom layer
2. Position it below its correct spot (where all three colors match)
3. Use R U R’ U’ repeatedly until the corner is correctly placed
4. If a white corner is in the top layer but wrong, use the same algorithm to move it down first
5. Repeat for all four corners

Step 3: Solving the Middle Layer

With the white face complete, we’ll now 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. If it needs to go right: U R U’ R’ U’ F’ U F
4. If it needs to go left: U’ L’ U L U F U’ F’
5. Repeat until all middle edges are solved

Step 4: Creating the Yellow Cross

Now we’ll work on the yellow face, starting with the cross:

1. Look at the yellow face – you may see a dot, L-shape, or line
2. For dot: F R U R’ U’ F’ (may need to repeat)
3. For L-shape: Position like a clock’s 9:00 and do the same algorithm
4. For line: Align horizontally and do the algorithm once

Step 5: Completing the Yellow Face

Next, we’ll make the entire yellow face yellow:

1. Look for “fish” pattern (one corner yellow)
2. Position yellow corner at front-right-top
3. Use R U R’ U R U2 R’
4. If no fish, do the algorithm once to create it
5. Repeat until entire top face is yellow

Step 6: Positioning the Corners

Now we’ll position the top layer corners correctly:

1. Find at least one correctly positioned corner (colors match centers)
2. If none, do the algorithm once to get one correct
3. Hold correct corner at