A Rubik’s Cube may be solved systematically layered by layer
Sam Castillo’s beginner method for the 3×3. Seven steps, one algorithm at a time. Watch the tutorial, page through the slides, then drill the moves with the flashcards.
Tutorial
Algorithm slides
The seven steps
- Step 1 · White Cross Build a white plus sign on top, with side colors matching the centers. Most of this is visual. To flip an edge that is in place but upside down: F U' R U.
- Step 2 · White Corners Finish the white face and the first-layer ring. Park the corner directly below its target, then repeat R' D' R.
- Step 3 · Middle Layer Flip the cube so yellow is on top. Match a non-yellow top edge to its side center, then insert. Right: U R U' R' U' F' U F. Left: U' L' U L U F U' F'.
- Step 4 · Yellow Cross Make a yellow plus sign. Start from a dot, a backward L (held top-left), or a horizontal line, and repeat F R U R' U' F'.
- Step 5 · Yellow Edges (Sune) Hold two already-matching edges at the back and right, then do R U R' U R U2 R'.
- Step 6 · Position Corners (Niklas) Get each yellow corner into the right seat, even if it is twisted. Hold a correct corner in front-right and repeat U R U' L' U R' U' L.
- Step 7 · Orient Corners Put an unsolved corner in front-right and repeat R' D' R D until yellow faces up. Then turn only the top layer (U) to bring the next corner over — rotating the whole cube will scramble the layers you already solved.
Flashcards
Thirty-five cards from the tutorial. Click a card to flip it, or use the arrow keys and the space bar.
Tip: filter to one step and shuffle it until the algorithm is automatic.