F2L Algorithms — All 41 Cases

Every First Two Layers case for CFOP, with 3D playback, recognition tips and a learning order.

How to learn F2L algorithms

F2L (First Two Layers) solves each corner and its matching edge together after the cross. These 41 cases are a reference for one corner–edge pair, not 41 sequences you need to memorise before you can use intuitive F2L.

Recognising F2L cases

  • Find a corner with your cross colour, then find the edge with its other two colours. Their centre colours tell you which slot the pair belongs in.
  • Check where both pieces are: in the top layer, joined as a pair, or trapped in a slot. For top-layer pieces, notice which way the corner's cross-colour sticker faces and whether the upward-facing colours match.
  • Match the full corner–edge relationship to the case, not just a single sticker. A U turn can line the pieces up; a cube rotation changes which slot you are looking at.

A practical F2L learning order

  1. Start with already paired pieces and basic insertions. F2L 11 and 12 in this library are useful right- and left-side starting points.
  2. Next, practise separated corner–edge pairs in the top layer. Understand how to hide one piece, line up the other and join them before inserting.
  3. Then work on corners with the cross colour facing up and cases with one or both pieces trapped in a slot. Preserve the cross and pairs you have already solved.
  4. Add efficient alternatives for your awkward cases gradually. Learn back-slot insertions and look ahead at a slower turning speed rather than rotating for every pair.

Remembering algorithms and finger tricks

Explain each sequence to yourself as separate, pair and insert. Recreate the same case on a real cube and repeat it from different U-layer angles. Once the pair is reliable, practise spotting the next pair while completing the current insertion.

When all four pairs are solved, OLL orients the last layer.

Further reading: J Perm's intuitive F2L tutorial.

F2L algorithm reference — 41 cases

41 cases

F2L 1

F2L
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U' R U' R' U2 R U' R'

Easy: edge & corner in U

F2L 2

F2L
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y' U R' U R U2' R' U R

Mirror of 1

F2L 3

F2L
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y' U' R' U R U2 R' U R

F2L 4

F2L
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U R U' R' U' R U R' U' R U' R'

F2L 5

F2L
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U' R U2 R' U2 R U' R'

F2L 6

F2L
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y' U R' U2 R U2 R' U R

F2L 7

F2L
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U R U2 R' U R U' R'

F2L 8

F2L
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y' U' R' U2 R U' R' U R

F2L 9

F2L
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U' R U' R' U R U' R'

F2L 10

F2L
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y' U R' U R U' R' U R

F2L 11 — Basic insert right

F2L
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U R U' R'

F2L 12 — Basic insert left

F2L
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y' U' R' U R

F2L 13

F2L
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U' R U R' U2 R U' R'

F2L 14

F2L
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y' U R' U' R U2' R' U R

F2L 15

F2L
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U' R U2 R' U' R U R'

F2L 16

F2L
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y' U R' U2 R U R' U' R

F2L 17

F2L
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U' R U R' U R U R'

F2L 18

F2L
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y' U R' U' R U' R' U' R

F2L 19

F2L
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R U' R' U2 R U R'

F2L 20

F2L
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y' R' U R U2 R' U' R

F2L 21

F2L
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R U R' U' R U R' U' R U R'

F2L 22

F2L
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y' R' U' R U R' U' R U R' U' R

F2L 23

F2L
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R U' R' U R U2 R' U R U' R'

F2L 24

F2L
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y' R' U R U' R' U2 R U' R' U R

F2L 25

F2L
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U' R U' R' U R U R'

F2L 26

F2L
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d R' U' R U R' U' R

F2L 27

F2L
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R U2 R' U' R U R'

F2L 28

F2L
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R U' R' d R' U' R

F2L 29

F2L
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R U' R' U R U' R'

F2L 30

F2L
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y' R' U R U' R' U R

F2L 31

F2L
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R U R' U2 R U R' U R U' R'

F2L 32

F2L
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R U' R' U' R U R' U' R U R'

F2L 33

F2L
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U' R U R' U R U' R'

F2L 34

F2L
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U R U' R' U' R U R'

F2L 35

F2L
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R U' R' U2 R U' R'

F2L 36

F2L
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R U R' U2 R U R'

F2L 37

F2L
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R U2 R' U R U2 R' U R U' R'

F2L 38

F2L
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R U' R' U' R U R' U' R U2 R'

F2L 39

F2L
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R U' R' U R U' R' U R U' R'

F2L 40

F2L
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y' R' U2 R U R' U' R

F2L 41

F2L
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R U R' U' R U' R' U2 y' R' U' R

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