How To Solve A Rubik's Cube - Step by Step Directions

Solution Steps:
Introduction
Notation
1 . First Cross
2 . Bottom Corners
3 . Middle Layer
4 . Top Cross
5 . Top Middle Pieces
6 . Rotating Top Corners
7 . Flipping Top Corners

How To Solve A Rubik’s Cube - Introduction

I learned how to solve the rubik's cube from the 7 step solution guide, made by Rubik’s (www.rubiks.com).  While their guide, like most, only provide a beginning and end picture to every step, this guide provides pictures showing each movement of the cube in each step. I also give you the notation below just in case you want to follow each step that way rather than using the pictures.

How To Solve A Rubik’s Cube – Notation

T = Top    
B = Bottom    
FL = Front Left    
FR = Front Right    
BL = Back Left    
BR = Back Right         

How To Solve A Rubik’s Cube - Step One (First Cross)

This step, along with the next step, are the hardest steps and very difficult to teach.  After these steps however, it takes very little thinking to solve the rest of the cube, so please bear with me on these first two steps.

Solving the first layer of the Rubik’s Cube is something you need to do on your own.  Just remember that the very center piece of each side of the cube is that side’s respective color.  To make it easier on yourself, match each color to the correct side. For example, in the "After" pictures below the green color of each piece is on the green side. along with the yellow and red colors. The center piece doesn’t move, so you must bring all of the other pieces of that color to that side.  Below is a move that often gets people stuck on this step.

FR’  T  FL’  T’

How To Solve A Rubik’s Cube - Step Two (Bottom Corners)

Look to see if there is a corner piece on the bottom of the cube that belongs on the top.  You do this by checking the three colors on the corner piece and making sure they match the colors on the respective sides on the top. You may need to move the pieces around a little to get a piece to be in one of the two positions demonstrated in the pictures, but once you do follow the provided step to move it up to the top. Make sure you are looking at the correct starting picture.

B’  FL’  B  FL  B’  FL’

How To Solve A Rubik’s Cube - Step Three (Middle Layer)

Before you start this step, flip the cube over so the side that is complete is now the bottom.  In the picture this is the green side.  Now turn the top layer of the cube so you match up a middle piece's color with the color of that side (this piece MUST also have the color of the adjacent side on the top).  For example, match the top yellow piece with the red on top to the yellow side.  This will make an upside down “T” with one color.  We will move that top middle piece to the correct spot on the middle row in this step.  There are two ways to do that depending on which side the “T” is on when looking at the Rubik’s Cube.  Make sure to find the correct starting picture before doing this step.  (Repeat this step with all four sides)

T’  FL’  T  FL  T  FR  T’  FR’

T  FR  T’  FR’  T’  FL’ T  FL

How To Solve A Rubik’s Cube - Step Four (Top Cross)

The next step is to now get the top color of the Rubik’s Cube (not the top layer) to have a cross.  In the pictures it is the blue side.  You start out by facing a side of the cube that has a blue (or whatever your top color is) in the top layer in the FL position.  It is okay to have a blue is the FR position as well, but the key is to make sure there is a blue on that FL side.  You then follow the steps from the pictures below.  Just doing the solution for this step once most likely won’t be enough.  You may have to repeat the steps a few times until there is a cross.

FL  FR  T  FR’  T’  FL’

How To Solve A Rubik’s Cube - Step Five (Top Layer’s Middle Pieces)

Once you have the cross at the top, the next step is to put the top layer’s middle pieces into place on all four sides of the Rubik’s Cube.  This step, like the previous step, most likely will need to be repeated several times.  A useful tip that I use is when you have two adjacent sides in the correct place, rotate the cube in your hands so they are in the BR and FR positions, then repeat this step once more.  The top pieces are all in the correct order but need to be rotated around the cube until they are with their respective colors. HINT: when performing this step, keep in mind that the side facing away from you doesn't move.

FR  T  FR’  T  FR  T  T  FR’

How To Solve A Rubik’s Cube - Step Six (Rotating the Corner Pieces)

Now that your top middle pieces are in order, you need to rotate the top corners so that they are in the right place. Don’t worry if the colors are in the wrong spot within the corner pieces, just worry about putting the corner pieces in their respective spots on the cube.  We will rotate them so the colors all match up in the next step. 

The trick to this step is that the corner that is farthest from you doesn’t move.  The front three corners switch spots in a clockwise rotation.

FR’  T  BL  T’  FR  T  BL’  T’

How To Solve A Rubik’s Cube - Step Seven (Flipping the Corner Pieces)

You have now made it to the seventh and final step, flipping the corner pieces. This move only flips the right two corners. Once you have those two correct, you will need to flip the cube so the two unsolved corners are in the two right spots. 

BL  T  BL’  T  BL  T’  T’  BL’  FR’  T’  FR  T’  FR’  T’  T’  FR 

Congratulations!  You have just learned how to solve the Rubik’s Cube! 

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