How to Solve a 3×3 Rubik’s Cube

Solving a Rubik’s cube may seem daunting at first, but with practice and the right technique, it can be a fun and rewarding challenge.

The beginner’s method is a great way to start solving the cube and is suitable for those who have never solved a Rubik’s cube before.

In this tutorial, we will go through the steps needed to solve a 3×3 Rubik’s cube using the beginner’s method.

Step 1: Solving the White Cross

The first step in solving the Rubik’s cube is to solve the white cross on the top layer of the cube. To do this, you need to look for the white edge pieces and place them in the correct position. Follow the steps below to solve the white cross:

1. Look for a white edge piece on the cube. It should have one white sticker and one other colour.
2. Rotate the bottom layer until the edge piece is directly underneath its corresponding centre piece (e.g., if the white edge piece has a blue sticker, rotate the bottom layer until the blue centre piece is directly above the edge piece).
3. Turn the top layer so that the white centre piece faces up.
4. Rotate the top layer until the white edge piece is in line with its corresponding centrepiece.
5. Turn the top layer and repeat steps 1-4 until the white cross is solved.

Step 2: Solving the White Corners

Once the white cross is solved, the next step is to solve the white corners. To do this, you need to look for the white corner pieces and place them in the correct position. Follow the steps below to solve the white corners:

1. Look for a white corner piece on the cube. It should have three stickers: one white, one of the adjacent colour, and one of the opposite colour.
2. Rotate the bottom layer until the white corner piece is directly underneath its corresponding corner on the top layer.
3. Turn the top layer so that the white centre piece is facing up.
4. Rotate the top layer until the white corner piece is in the bottom right corner (if the corner piece has a blue sticker, it should be in the bottom right corner of the blue face).
5. Turn the bottom layer clockwise, then turn the top layer counterclockwise.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 until all the white corners are solved.

Step 3: Solving the Middle Layer

The next step is to solve the middle layer of the Rubik’s cube. To do this, you must look for the middle edge pieces and place them in the correct position. Follow the steps below to solve the middle layer:

1. Look for a middle edge piece on the cube. It should have two stickers: one of the adjacent colour and one of the opposite colour.
2. Rotate the cube so that the middle edge piece is in the top layer, with the opposite colour facing down.
3. Turn the top layer until the middle edge piece aligns with its corresponding centrepiece.
4. Turn the cube so that the middle edge piece is in the front face, with the adjacent colour facing you.
5. Turn the front layer counterclockwise, then turn the bottom layer clockwise, and then turn the front layer clockwise.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 until the middle layer is solved.

Step 4: Solving the Top Layer Cross

The next step is to solve the cross on the top layer of the Rubik’s cube. To do this, you need to look for the edge pieces with the same colour as the centre of the opposite side. Follow the steps below to solve the top layer cross:

1. Look for a top-layer edge piece that has the same colour as the centre of the opposite side.
2. Rotate the top layer until the edge piece is in the correct position, directly above its corresponding centrepiece.
3. Turn the top layer so that the edge piece is in the back of the cube.
4. Perform the algorithm: R U R’ U’ until the edge piece is correctly oriented and in place.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 until the top layer cross is solved.

Step 5: Solving the Top Layer Corners

The final step is to solve the corners on the top layer of the Rubik’s cube. To do this, you need to look for the corner pieces that are in the wrong orientation and place them in the correct position. Follow the steps below to solve the top layer corners:

1. Look for a top layer corner piece that is in the wrong orientation.
2. Rotate the cube so that the corner piece is in the top left position of the front face.
3. Perform the algorithm: U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L until the corner piece is correctly oriented and in place.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 until all the top layer corners are solved.

Congratulations! You have now solved the Rubik’s cube using the beginner’s method.