Manual 3x3 tutorial
Layer by layer, with a few repeatable moves.
This guide teaches the beginner method so you can solve a real cube without relying on the automatic solver. Use the solver only to check your work or recover if the cube gets away from you.
White cross
White corners
Middle layer
Yellow face
Last layer
0
Before You Start
Centers do not move relative to each other. The white center tells you where white belongs, the yellow center is opposite it, and each edge or corner must match the centers beside it.
- Edges have two stickers. Corners have three.
- Solve layers, not one flat face at a time.
- After the white cross, keep white on the bottom unless a step says otherwise.
- Read algorithms left to right. A prime mark means counterclockwise, and 2 means a half turn.
1
Make the Daisy, Then the White Cross
Start by moving the four white edge pieces around the yellow center, making a daisy. For each white petal, match its side color to the same-color center, then turn that face twice to send the white edge down to the white center.
When the cross is correct, the white plus is on the bottom and each cross edge also matches the side center color.
2
Solve the White Corners
Find a white corner in the top layer. Turn the top until the corner sits above the slot with its two side colors. Hold that slot at front-right, then repeat the trigger until the corner drops in correctly.
3
Solve the Middle Layer Edges
Look in the top layer for an edge without yellow. Match its front color to the same-color center. If the edge needs to move into the right slot, use the right insert. If it needs the left slot, use the left insert.
4
Make the Yellow Cross
Ignore yellow corners for now. Look only at the yellow edge stickers on top. If you see a line, hold it horizontal. If you see an L, hold it in the back-left. If you see only the center dot, do the algorithm once and recheck.
5
Position the Yellow Corners
Now put the yellow corners into the correct locations, even if they are twisted. Turn the top until one corner is already in the right place. Hold that solved corner at front-right, then use the corner cycle. Repeat until all four corners belong in their slots.
6
Twist the Yellow Corners
Keep the cube facing the same direction for this entire step. Put an unsolved yellow corner at front-right. Repeat the corner twist until yellow faces up, then turn only the top layer to bring the next unsolved corner to front-right. The lower layers may look broken while you work; they return when all corners are oriented.
7
Position the Yellow Edges
The cube should now have a full yellow top. Finish by cycling the last-layer edges. If one side is already solved, hold it at the back and choose the U-perm that sends the other edges the right way. If no side is solved, do either U-perm once, then recheck.
8
Practice Advice
Move slowly and check the layer you just solved before starting the next one. If something looks impossible, compare your cube in TurnSolve, use the solver to recover, then try the manual method again from a clean scramble.
References: official Rubik's solution guide and Cubzor beginner method algorithms.
