How to solve a Rubik's Cube 3x3x3!

How to solve a RUBIK'S CUBE​

-The Rubik's Cube
The Rubik's cube first came out in the mid 1970's and has been unsolvable to many people for ages. Today all of that will change, because i'm going to teach you how to solve your very own Rubik's Cube with ease. After you learn the ways of the Rubik's Cube you will be able to amaze all of your friend's and co-worker's, and trick them into believing your a genius!

-Rubik's Cube Basics

Solving a Rubik's Cube is truly not that hard. All you need to know to solve a Rubik's Cube are some basic movements, and a couple of algorithms! I know the word algorithms may sound all hard and complicated, but really it's just a list of movements such as, Ri, Di, R, D (Right inverted, Down inverted, Right, Down) A basic algorithm for solving a Rubik's Cube! If your not sure about what all of that Right inverted Down inverted crap is DONT WORRY I am getting to that next!

-Rubik's Cube Basic Movements (Notations)

In this part of the guide I will be showing you the basic moments you will use while solving a Rubik's Cube. These will be the letters in the algorithm showing you what side to turn, what way you turn it, and how many times you turn it. There are 6 letters to show what side of the Rubik's Cube to turn, and then one more to show you what way to turn it.

F- This is the front side, or the side that is facing you.

Example-Lets say that you are holding the Rubik's Cube with the green side facing you. If you see the letter F in the algorithm you will turn the green side (front side) One time clockwise.

R- This is the side to the right of the side you are facing.

Example-Lets say that were are holding the Rubik's Cube facing the green side again. Since the yellow side is, and will always will be to the right of the green side you will turn the yellow side one time clockwise.

L- This is the side to the left of the side you are facing. This is just like turning the right side, but on the left.

Example- Lets say you are facing the green side again. Since the white side is to the left side of the green side you will turn the white side clockwise one time.

U- This is the face on the top of the cube. When you see a U in an algorithm you will turn the top clockwise one time.

Example- The orange side is the side above the green side ( the top side), so you will turn the orange side one time clockwise.

D- This is the Down side or the side on the bottom.

Do not get this side mixed with side B! (back)


B- This is the side on back or the opposite side from the front side.

Now that I've shown you the symbols for each side I now need to tell you the symbol that shows you which way to turn it.

i- This is thankfully the only symbol you need to know for knowing which way to turn a Rubik's Cube! The i means inverted and all that means is that you will turn the side counter-clockwise instead of clockwise. If there is no i at the end of a letter then you turn it clockwise.

Example-
Ri- This means that you will turn the right side counter-clockwise.
R- This means that you will turn the right side clockwise



I hope that this has helped show you some of the basic notations of solving a Rubik's cube. One thing that I must stress to you is that you do not always do algorithms facing the green side! Algorithms can, and probably will be used on all sides of the cube.

Solving Your First Algorithm!

In this part of the guide I'm going to show you guys how to read a simple algorithm using the symbols we used earlier. For this we will do the first algorithm in solving the Rubik's cube; Ri, Di, R, D

Ok so lets break this algorithm down...

Ri- That means you turn the right side counter-clockwise, or toward yourself
Di- That means that you turn the down side (bottom side) counter-clockwise
R- That means you turn the Right side clockwise, or away from yourself
D- That means you turn the bottom side clockwise.

If you break each algorithm down like that it should be easier to follow.

Step 1 In Solving The Rubik's Cube!

Now that we have learnt all of the basic notations of solving a Rubik's Cube its time to get to it and actually start solving!

When solving the Rubik's Cube you can start with any side, but lets start with the green side. The first step is finding where the green side is at. To do this look at the very center piece in all of the sides until you find a side with a green square in the middle. It should look a little like this:


Step 2 In solving the Rubik's Cube
The next step in solving a Rubik's cube is making a green cross. This is also another step that does not require an algorithm. To do this step you have to move green squares up, and add them to the green middle square to make a cross. Here is an example of what you need to do to get the green cross;



as you can see all i need to do is move that green square up next to my main green square to make a part of my cross. This part is one of the only parts you kind of have to just figure out on you own, but just keep on finding those green squares and moving them up until you get something like this;



See the cross? Your Rubik's cube should also look something like that.

Step 3 In solving a Rubik's Cube


After you have made a green cross it is now time to make sure all of the colors match up. To help you with this step below I will show you the right way and the wrong way

Right -
Wrong -

When you do have mismatched colors like the ones I have above (you probably will) all you have to do is turn the side all the way to the bottom like this;


After you have done that all you need to do is keep turning that bottom side until you get a match like so;


After that just flip the side up and it should be fixed like this;


Keep repeating this until you have matches on all side. After that you are ready to go on to our next step!

Step 4 In solving a Rubik's Cube
In this step we will be completing our very first side of the Rubik's Cube! This step also requires our first algorithm, Ri, Di, R, D. In this step we are basically correcting or plugging in our 4 corners of the Rubik's Cube.

These four corners-

To get these four corners in place correctly you will need to first know what cube goes where. Choose a corner that you want to do first then look at the two colors beside the cube you are putting in.



As you can see the two cubes beside the cube i'm putting in are yellow and red. This means that i'm going to hae to find another cube that is green, yellow, and red. After looks around the cube for a little bit you should be able to find the green, yellow, and red cube (note- it may be in another one of the corners, but just in the wrong spot). After finding the cube that you want, you have to place it directly under the corner that it belongs to (in this case the yellow and red corner) and use the algorithm Ri, Di, R, D until the cube is in the right corner. Most of the time you have to do this algorithm more than one time to get it in the correct place so just keep repeating it until the cube is in the right corner. Follow these steps for all sides and soon you should have your first layer (green layer) finished!

Step 5 In solving the Rubiks's Cube

Before we do anything with this step of solving the Rubik's Cube you need to flip the Rubik's Cube upside down first!

At this point your Rubik's cube should look a little something like this.

The green side should be completely solved and little upside down t's on each side (except for the top and bottom).

In this step we are going to learn 2 more algorithms, and solve the second row of the Rubik's Cube! Just like before we only have 4 corner pieces that need to be fixed, the only difference is that they are in the middle.

Here is a picture showing a 3 out of 4 of the middle pieces we will be fixing:


What we need to do here is replace the middle corner pieces so all of the colors match in the middle of the Rubik's Cube. To do that all you have to do is set the cube piece above of where you are moving it and choose one of two algorithms for move it to the right or to the left.



As you can see in that picture all you need to do is move the red and yellow cube down and to the right to replace the orange and yellow cube. Since we need to go to the right we will use this algorithm:

Right- U, R, Ui, Ri, Ui, Fi, U, F

After doing this the cube that was on top should replace the one down and to the right and the colors there should match like this:


There are also some times when the cube needs to go down, and to the right like this:



When this happens all you need to do is the opposite of the algorithm for going to the right.

Left-Ui, Li, U, L, U, F, Ui, Fi

Repeat this until all 4 middle corners are done and you should get something like this:


The first two rows should be completed on all sides now (except for top and bottom)

Step 6 in solving a Rubik's Cube
The main goal in this step will be getting the top cross of the Rubik's Cube (in our case the blue side). On the top side of your Rubik's Cube should be blue L like this one:


To get to the blue cross you will have to first have the blue L positioned in the top left corner just like I do in the picture. After you have done that you will need to do this algorithm two or three times to get to the blue cross.

Cross-F, R, U, Ri, Ui, Fi

The finished blue cross should look something like this:


All of the pictures shown here were made by me and not taken from another guide
Step 7 In solving a Rubik's Cube

After you have finished getting the blue cross on the top it is now time to get all of the center top pieces to match the ones below it like these two:


As you can see those two colored cubes match the ones below it, and we need to make it like that on every single center top piece! To do this you first have to find two colors that match the ones below it like I have in the picture above. Don't worry about any algorithms for this part, all you need to do is twist the top until you find the two ones that match (you will always find you that match if you correctly did the blue cross on top). After you have found the top two colors that match you need to hold them so that you are holding it with one matching color facing to the right, and the other one facing to the back. After you have them positioned this way all you need to do is this algorithm:

R, U, Ri, U ,R ,U, U, Ri, U

After doing that algorithm all of the top center pieces should be solved!

Step 8 In solving a Rubik's Cube

In this step we will need to get all of the top corner pieces ready so that they can be put into place! In this step you will learn one of the hardest algorithms in my opinion, but can be easily learned with some practice. The first part of this step you will be looking for a top corner that is already put in place, (it may or may not be flipped the right way though). When you are looking for a piece that is flipped in the right place you are looking for a piece that has the same colors as the one that surround it like this:


See the corner cube with the colors orange, blue, and yellow on it? You should also see that those same colors surround that one cube. This means that its in the right place!

It is also possible to not find any top corner cubes in place. In this case you need to repeat the algorithm i'm about to say until you get all of the corner cubes in place. The algorithm for getting the top corners in place is:
-U, R, Ui, Li, U, Ri, Ui, L

Step 9 In solving the Rubik's Cube (Final Step!)

Once you have all of your top corner cubes in place there is only one more step left to do! In this step all you need to do is flip all of your corner cubes around to make your Rubik's Cube solved! One of the best parts about this step is that you already know the algorithm from earlier. What you have to do is put one of the top corner pieces that needs to be flipped in the bottom right hand corner side like this:



Once you have your Rubik's Cube like this you are ready to start doing the last part of solving the Rubik's Cube. The algorithm that you will be doing is the very first one I taught you : Ri, Di, R ,D. You keep doing that until you have the first top corner piece flipped right, then you turn the top layer of the Rubik's Cube ONCE and you do the same thing until that top corner is also flipped.Keep on doing this until all sides are done, and then Bam! you've solved the Rubik's Cube!

Some Helpful Hints
-Write all of the algorithms down on a sheet of paper until you have memorized them
-Don't worry towards the end of the solving the Rubik's Cube when you start to flip the top corners. It may look like its being scrambles but its not.
-If you dont get it your first couple tries Dont Get Mad It takes time to learn how to solve it properly

Feel free to give any feedback on my Guide I'm open to suggestions.

All pictures shown here were made by me

 

Very nice. I really didn't know how to solve a Rubik's cube this way lol. I'd suggest using other colours. Don't just stick to one colour.You should also correct your spelling/grammar.
I also suggest fixing the coding fail in Step 2. You probably should use the preset codes in your edit box It's easier that way. Also, you should colour the ")" at the end of Step 9 to be red as well.

Good try 8/10.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I fixed all of the coding errors, and I might get to changing the colors later. Also sorry about my bad grammar/spelling I try my best

 

nice guide. i read something like this online once, and can too finish a rubix cube. your guide is easier to read though.

7.1/10

 

Thank you very much, just after reading this guide i went out and bought one myself, tried out your method and honestly it was spot on, keep up the good work 5/5.

 

I know alot of friends who have spent months over a rubik cube. With this guide i will impress the shit out of them XD. Thank you 10/10

 

Excellent guide. I didnt realize that something that seems so simple is actually quite complex. Nicely written, lots of pics, alot of effort.

 

Thanks guys I really appreciate the feedback.

 

Great guide, now I might actually be able to finish my rubix cube.

 

nice simple guide. but i cant even get to the damn green cross part lmao

 

The subtitles that you've underlined with red you have to turn the text red first, then underline it like this. Not underline then turn to red like this. If it's intentional then okay. If not fix them since some white underlined and some are red.

You're spelling and grammar is fine apart from a few minor errors I have noticed.
"i'm going to hae to find another cube that is green" (have or delete hae)
"upside down t's on each side" (add an i to make it's)
If you want to be super critical add apostrophes to some of your words such as "-If you dont get it your first couple tries Dont Get Mad It takes time to learn how to solve it properly" "and Example- Lets" - add apostrophe.

Overall I think this is a well put out and helpful guide. The images you have created are great. To improve I would centre the pictures and maybe if you feel necessary the text as well. Well done.+

 

Good guide but how did you make the pictures? Do you have a program for that?

 

I actually used an online program that randomly scrambles rubik's cubes. I solved the cube through that and just took screenshots along the way. I'm not sure of the exact website I used as it was a while ago, but you can probably just find it from searching the internet if you wanted.

 

http://www.randelshofer.ch/rubik/virtualcubes/virtual_rubik_en.html
The virtual rubiks cube

thx for the method. useful