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How to Solve Rubik’s Cube (Layer Method)

Rubik’s Cube is a 3D combination puzzle. To solve it, set all six sides to each display a single color. The cube has more than

43 quintillion configurations. Random movements will probably not solve it. However, complex problems often have simple

solutions. In this guide, we present the Layer Method to solve each layer of the cube in order: top, middle, and bottom.

Cube Basics

The center pieces are fixed. They determine the color each side will be when complete.

Compare the colors of each edge and corner piece to the centers to discern their final locations.

Movements

Each letter represents a clockwise 1/4 rotation.

An “i” represents its counter-clockwise rotation.

F – Front Fi – Front Inverse

B – Back Bi – Back Inverse

L – Left Li – Left Inverse

R – Right Ri – Right Inverse

U – Up Ui – Up Inverse

D – Down Di – Down Inverse

M – Middle Mi – Middle Inverse

S – Slice Si – Slice Inverse

E – Equator Ei – Equator Inverse

Note: Moves in red fix displaced

pieces, and may be unnecessary.

Step 1: Top Edges

Match each top edge to the

top center and its side color.

Examples solve red/yellow edge.

Hint: Set yellow side of edges to bottom face.

Step 2: Top Corners

Match each top corner to the

top center and its side colors.

Examples solve the

blue/red/yellow edge.

Hint: Set yellow side of

corners to the cube’s

sides, not the bottom.

Note: Pieces may be solved in many ways.

For example, these moves solve top-center.

F, Di, Ri, 2D, R D, F, Di, Fi

2U, Li, 2U

R

U, F, Ui

Di, R, D, Ri

F, R

Note: If the corner is

in the back-bottom

spot, rotate D or Di

to move it into the

bottom-left or right.

U, Fi, Ui

Top-Left

Bottom-Right

Top-Right

Ri, Di, R, D, Ri, Di, R Bi, D, B,

Ri, D, R

Li, Di, L,

F, Di, Fi

Fi

F

R

Ri

Bi

0 B

U Ui

Li

L

Di D

F, D, Fi, 2Di, Ri, D, R

Si

M

E

R, 2D, 2Ri, D, R

F, Di, Fi Mi, 2F, M

F, D, Fi, Di, F, D, Fi

2D, F, Di, Fi

2Di, Ri, D, R Ri, D, R

Bottom-Center

Si, 2R, S

Ri, Di, R, 2D, F, Di, Fi

Mi, F, M Si, Ri, S Fi, 2D, 2F, Di, Fi

Back-Top

L, 2D, Li, F, Di, Fi

Bottom-Left

R, F, Di, 2Fi, Ri, F

Top-Center

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Layer Method (continued from page 1)

Movement Reference

F – Front B – Back

L – Left R – Right

U – Up D – Down

M – Middle S – Slice

E – Equator _i – inverse

Step 3: Center Edges

Match each center edge to the side center colors.

Examples solve the blue/red edge.

If the edge is in the center

layer, move it to the bottom

layer and fix the top corner.

With the edge in the bottom layer,

rotate D until its side color matches

the center so you only need one set

of moves and the inverse set of moves.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: FLIP CUBE UPSIDEDOWN ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Step 4: Final Edges

Match each top edge to the

top center and its side color.

The top color of the final edges will match one of the above configurations.

If your cube matches stage 1, 2, or 3, orient the top of your cube to match the

image, and perform F, R, U, Ri, Ui, Fi to progress to the next stage. At stage 4,

use the moves shown (right) to match the edge side colors to the side centers.

Step 5: Final Corners

Match each top corner to the

top center and its side colors.

Your cube will either have:

1. All corners in incorrect positions.

2. Only one corner in its correct position.

3. All corners in their correct positions.

Performing U, R, Ui, Li, U, Ri, Ui, L rotates the left, back and right corners to progress you from stage 1 to 2 to 3.

When your corners are correctly positioned, they may not be in correctly oriented. The final process reorients them.

Note: Once you begin this final process DO NOT REPOSITION THE CUBE IN YOUR HAND – use U to position corners.

To orient your corners, set an incorrectly oriented corner in the front position. Then, repeat Ri, Di, R, D until that corner is

correctly oriented. Then, (without moving the cube in your hands), rotate U or Ui to get the next incorrectly oriented corner into the front

position. Repeat Ri, Di, R, D until that corner is correctly oriented. Repeat this process for all incorrectly oriented corners. When

your final corner is correctly oriented, you may need to rotate U, E, and/or D to solve the cube.

Four Edges Three Edges

Li, Ui, L, Ui,

Li, 2Ui, L, Ui

U, R, U, Ri, U,

R, 2U, Ri, U

Two Edges

1. 4a. 3. 2.

F, R, U, Ri, Ui, Fi

--- --------

U

Bi, D, B, D, R, Di, Ri Ri, D, R, D, F, Di, Fi

Center

L, Di, Li, Di, Fi, D, F

Center-Left Center-Right

Note: The above moves get the edge into the bottom layer and fix the top corner.

Hint: Rotate the cube in your hand so you only need remember one set of moves.

3. 2.

All corners positioned

(orientations my be incorrect)

One corner

positioned

Repeat

No corners

positioned

Reorient Ri, Di, R, D

Bottom

Right

D

D, F, Di, Fi,

Di, Ri, D, R

Bottom

Left

Di

Di, Ri, D, R,

D, F, Di, Fi

Rotate U

1.

U, R, Ui, Li, U, Ri, Ui, L

M

Si E

Repeat until all corners are correct.

Do NOT reposition cube in your hand.

Instead, rotate U and repeat Ri, Di, R, D.

Fi

F

Bi

0 B

R

Ri

Li

L

Di D

U Ui

4b. 4c.

R, U, Ri, U,

R, 2U, Ri, U

Mirror 4c: