📥 Master the Cube with Hands-On Practice
Want to get the most out of this guide? Download the free cheat sheet 👉 HERE and follow along step by step.
The Basics of a 3×3 Rubik’s Cube
Before solving, let’s get familiar with the Rubik’s Cube:
1. The Middle Pieces Define the Face Color
- The center pieces on each side of the cube determines the color of that side.
- Example: If the middle piece is white, that side will ultimately be white.
2. Corners and Edges
- Corner pieces have three colors.
- Edge pieces have two colors.
3. Default Cube Position
- Hold the cube with white on the bottom and yellow on top.
4. How to Move the Cube
- Use your index fingers to move the top layer clockwise or counterclockwise.
- Move the sides by gripping the cube firmly with your other hand for stability.
Got it? Great—let’s move on.
Step 1: Make the White Cross
Goal: Create a white cross on the bottom while matching the second color of each edge piece to the correct side.
1. Create the Daisy 🌼
- Hold the cube so yellow is on top.
- Find the white edge pieces.
- Move them to the top layer around the yellow center.
- If a white edge is on the side or bottom, twist layers to bring it up.
💡 Check: You should see a “daisy” (white edges around the yellow center).
2. Turn the Daisy into a White Cross
Now, we’ll move the white edges from the daisy to their correct positions on the bottom.
- Hold the daisy with the yellow face up.
- Look at each white edge piece. Check the second color on that piece and align it with its matching side.
- Example: If the white edge has blue as its second color, rotate the top layer until it’s above the blue face.
- Once aligned, turn the front face 2 times (180°) to move the white edge to the bottom.
- Repeat this for all four edges until you have a white cross on the bottom, with each edge’s second color matching its side.
Step 2: Solve the White Corners
Goal: Complete the white face by inserting the correct corner pieces.
- Hold the cube so yellow is on top (white cross on the bottom)
- Look at the top layer for corners that have white on the side.
- Place the corner piece in the top layer above its matching centers.
- Example: white-red-blue above the red and blue centers.
- Check the white sticker position (left or right):
5. Repeat for all corners until the white side is complete.
Step 3: Solve the Middle Layer
Goal: Place the edge pieces in the middle layer.
- Look at the top layer and find an edge piece that doesn’t have yellow.
- Match its side color with the center below it.
- Example: Red/blue edge → align red with the red center.
- Determine where the edge piece needs to go (left or right).
4. Repeat until all middle edges are in place
💡 Check: The middle layer should have all edges placed correctly, and the white side should stay intact.
Step 4: Create the Yellow Cross
Goal: Form a yellow cross on the top face.
Hold the cube with yellow on top.
Look at the yellow face. Identify one of these patterns:
- If there’s a yellow line, hold it horizontally (left to right).
- If there’s a yellow “L” shape, hold it in the 9 o’clock position
- Then perform these moves:
- Repeat until you have a yellow cross.
Step 5: Align the Yellow Edges
Goal: Match the yellow edges with their sides.
- Keep the yellow face on top
- Rotate the top layer until at least two yellow edges match their side colors.
- If two non-matching edges are adjacent, hold the cube so one is on the front and the other is on the right.
- Then follow these moves to swap the edges:
- Repeat until all edges match.
💡 Check: The yellow cross should remain on top, and its edges should align with the side colors.
Step 6: Position the Yellow Corners
Goal: Get the yellow corners into the correct spots (even if they’re flipped).
- Keep yellow on top.
- Check the corners in top layer:
- If a corner matches its side colors, hold the cube so the matching corner is in the front-left (this corner won’t move).
- If no corners match, hold the cube in any position.
- Then use these moves:
- Repeat as needed (maximum 3 times) until all corners match their side colors.
💡 Check: All corners should now match the side colors while the yellow cross remains on top.
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Step 7: Solve the Cube!
Goal: Flip the yellow corners to finish the puzzle.
- Flip the cube so white is on top and yellow is on the bottom.
- Rotate the bottom layer to bring an unsolved corner to the bottom-right.
- Perform these moves:
- Repeat the moves exactly 2 or 4 times until the corner matches its side colors.
- ❗ Never perform the moves an odd number of times.
- Rotate the bottom layer to bring the next incorrect corner to the bottom-right.
- Repeat these steps until all corners are correct.
Congratulations! You Did It! 🎉
You’ve solved the Rubik’s Cube! How does it feel to conquer this iconic puzzle?
💡 Pro Tip: Practice each step until it becomes second nature. You’ll be solving it faster in no time!
Get Your Free Rubik’s Cube Cheat Sheet!
Learning to solve the Rubik’s Cube can feel overwhelming. But what if you had all the steps in one easy-to-follow guide?
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🎯 Review all 7 steps at a glance—no need to scroll through the blog.
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Leila Gharani
I’ve spent over 20 years helping businesses use data to improve their results. I've worked as an economist and a consultant. I spent 12 years in corporate roles across finance, operations, and IT—managing SAP and Oracle projects.
As a 7-time Microsoft MVP, I have deep knowledge of tools like Excel and Power BI.
I love making complex tech topics easy to understand. There’s nothing better than helping someone realize they can do it themselves. I’m always learning new things too and finding better ways to help others succeed.
