How To Solve A Rubik's Cube : 21 Steps (with Pictures) - Instructables

Introduction: Rubik’s Cubes are a great way to impress your friends and family. While solving one shows others how creative you are, it is also a great way to pass time, de-stress, or take your mind off other things.

Learning to solve a Rubik’s Cube requires patience and persistence. You will not be able to learn how to solve the cube by following the instructions only once; it will require reading through multiple times. I recommend reviewing a few steps and learn to master them before moving on. You will also want to memorize the algorithms listed in parts 5-7 and the notations listed in the Terminology and Notation section.

Although your Rubik’s Cube will not be in the exact position as mine, you can follow the general steps below to help you learn to solve your cube. Finally, I can’t stress enough, that if you are serious about learning to solve the Rubik’s Cube you will want to pay attention to how pieces move around the cube when you are making turns. Understanding the outcome of your moves will help you grasp how to put pieces where you want them.

How to Use These Instructions: This method of solving the Rubik’s Cube will be outlined in seven parts. Each part contains a series of steps and turns, which will result in a very identifiable outcome to complete each part. At the beginning of each part, I will include a brief description of the desired outcome for the part. Within the steps, I will list the turns I made on my Rubik’s Cube to compete the step. I will also include images of how my Rubik’s Cube looks when making each turn. Although you will not be making the exact turns I make for most of the steps, you will be able learn how to get pieces to move where you want them to.

This method of solving the Rubik’s Cube allows me to solve it in about two minutes (others can solve it faster).

Parts:

• Part 1 - Create a 2x2 Block (Steps 1-6)
• Part 2 - Add to the 2x2 Block to Create a 3x2 Block (Steps 7-10)
• Part 3 - Fixing the Inverted Edges (Step 11)
• Part 4 - Finish the Bottom Two Layers (Steps 12-13)
• Part 5 - Place the Remaining Corners in the Correct Places (Steps 14-15)
• Part 6 - Twist the Top Corners (Steps 16-18)
• Part 7 - Place the Remaining Edges (Steps 19-20)

Rubik’s Cube Basics and Concepts: A traditional Rubik’s Cube (3x3) has six faces (sides) and three types of pieces. It is important to understand that the center pieces never move in relation to the other center pieces. For example, the white center piece is always opposite the yellow centerpiece. Please note that if the Rubik’s Cube comes apart, you should always put it back together solved, or you will likely put it back together in an unsolvable state.

Terminology and Notation:

• Face – A side of the cube. There are six faces and may be referred to by its position as you are looking at it or by its center piece.
• Center Piece – A one-color piece in the center of a face.
• Edge Piece – A two-color piece between corner pieces. There are 12 edge pieces on a Rubik’s Cube.
• Corner Piece – A three-color piece. There are 8 corner pieces on a Rubik’s Cube.
• Layer – A 3x1 set of pieces that can be turned on the Rubik’s Cube.
• Top Layer (T) – As you are looking at the Rubik’s Cube, it is the layer on the top of the cube.
• Bottom Layer (b) – As you are looking at the Rubik’s Cube, it is the layer on the bottom of the cube.
• Front Layer (F) – As you are looking at the Rubik’s Cube, it is the layer you are looking at.
• Back Layer (B) – As you are looking at the Rubik’s Cube, it is the layer opposite the layer you are looking at.
• Right Layer (R) – As you are looking at the Rubik’s Cube, it is the layer on the right side of the cube.
• Left Layer (L) – As you are looking at the Rubik’s Cube, it is the layer on the left side of the cube.
• Turn – A ¼ rotation of a layer in a clockwise direction. For turns in the counterclockwise direction, the notation will be underlined. For example, T tells you to turn the top layer ¼ rotation in a counterclockwise direction.
• Double Turn – A ½ rotation of a layer in a clockwise direction and is notated by a ( ' ' ). For example, 'R' tells you to turn the right face two turns in a clockwise direction.