Beginner's Guide
The classic beginner method — solve a 3x3 Rubik's Cube in 8 simple steps. No advanced theory, just follow each step in order.
1. The White Daisy
Hold yellow on top. Find the four white edges in the top layer and rotate them so they form a 'daisy' — yellow center surrounded by four white stickers pointing up.
Match colors
F22. The White Cross
Once the daisy is built, flip the cube so white is on top. Each white edge should match its side center color — if not, rotate the U face until it does, then flip with F2.
Flip edge
F23. First Layer Corners
Solve the white corners one by one. Place a white corner directly under its target slot, then repeat 'right hand' or 'left hand' until it pops in correctly.
Right hand
R U R' U'Left hand
L' U' L U4. Second Layer Edges
Flip the cube so yellow is on top. Find a U-layer edge with no yellow and align it with its matching center. Use the right- or left-insert algorithm to slot it in.
Right insert
U R U' R' U' F' U FLeft insert
U' L' U L U F U' F'5. Yellow Cross
Form a yellow cross on top. Apply F R U R' U' F' from the current shape: dot → L-shape → line → cross.
Cross builder
F R U R' U' F'6. Position Yellow Edges
Get the yellow cross edges to match their side centers. Rotate U until at least two edges line up, then apply the swap algorithm.
Edge swap
R U R' U R U2 R' U7. Position Yellow Corners
Find a corner that's already in the right spot (regardless of orientation). Hold it in the front-right and apply the corner-cycle algorithm until all corners are in place.
Corner cycle
U R U' L' U R' U' L8. Orient Yellow Corners
Keep the cube fixed. Use the 'sexy move' (R' D' R D) repeatedly on each top-layer corner until it shows yellow, then U until the next unsolved corner is in front-right. Repeat until solved.
Sexy move
R' D' R DReady for more? Try the F2L, OLL, and PLL sets to learn the CFOP method.