Rubik's Online - Rubik's Cube Solution (printable)

Rubik's Cube Solution

When solved, every face of Rubik's Cube is a solid color. Once you start turning, twisting and flipping, it's easy to mix up the colors. Not to worry - Rubik's Cube can be set right from any mixed-up combination. The following steps will help you solve the puzzle.

1. Choose a color, such as YELLOW, for the top face. Turn Rubik's Cube so that the centre cube on the top face is that color.

Example:

2. Make a cross on the top layer by moving the four YELLOW edge cubes into place. At the same time, make sure the second color on each edge piece matches the centre cube on each side face. To put each cube in its correct position, first take it to the bottom layer, and then twist it into position in the top layer. Use quarter twists on a series of faces to reverse the orientation of a cube.

Example:

3. Still working with the top layer, place the correct corner cubes in position. Turn Rubik's Cube so that your target corner is at the top right front.

4. Find the cube that belongs in that position and twist it to the bottom right front. With a series of twists of the right face and the bottom face, you can move the cube into position in the top face. If turning a face doesn't work, try the opposite move, using either a quarter twist or a half twist.

From this...			...to this.

5. Position all the corners, one after the other, always working toward the front right corner. When all the top corners are in position, the top layer is solved.

6. Solve the middle layer on each face by putting in the correct edge cubes, one at a time. Use the sample sequences Edge Mover # 1 and Edge Mover # 2 to accomplish this. (If you accidently disturb some cubes that are already in their correct positions, restore them with reverse twists before going on.) If one of the edge pieces is in the right location but has the colors the wrong way round, remove it using Edge Mover # 1 then replace it using Mover # 2.

When all the edge cubes are in place, two layers - the middle and the top - are solved.

7. Begin solving the bottom layer by positioning the corner cubes. First move all four corner cubes to their correct spots. You can do this by using the Two Corner Swap Sequence. At this point, it doesn't matter whether or not their colors are properly turned to match each face, as long as all four corner cubes end up in the right locations.

8. With all four corner cubes in place, use the Three Corner Shuffle to orientate their colors, matching them up to the colors, matching them up to the colors of the three faces they connect.

Example:

From this...			...to this.

9. Complete the bottom layer placing the four edge cubes in their proper position using Edge Flipper Sequence Left and Right as required. When you finish, your Rubik's Cube is solved!

Rubik's Fact: Theoretically the shortest possible path to solving Rubik's Cube from any scrambled position is as few as 22 twists. So far no one has succeeded in demonstating this method.

Rubik's Cube Sequences

This area offers specific sequences of moves to be used after completing the top layer. These sequences help solve the middle and bottom layers of the cube. For each sequence, the Cube's sides are labeled as shown.

Hold RUBIK'S Cube so the side you want to affect is the Bottom Face. Select a sequence, and do the moves in order. The arrow symbols used to guide these moves indicate the turning directions. For each indicated face (Front, Right, Back, etc.) move one fourth turn in the direction of the arrow.In these sequences you are moving the colored edge/corner pieces in the pictures. After the sequence, all other pieces in the top two layers and the starred pieces in the bottom layer will remain unaffected.

If you look at the Cube after each move of a sequence, you will see how the completed layers are shuffled to one side and then reassembled by the sequence. Once you see how the sequences are working, you will find that they are very easy to remember.

Note: Use 'Edge mover #1 and mover #2' to help solve the middle layer of the cube.

Edge Mover #1

Front	Bottom	Front	Bottom	Front
Bottom	Bottom	Front	Bottom	Front
Bottom	Front	Bottom	Bottom

Example:

From this...			...to this

Edge Mover #2

Right	Bottom	Right	Bottom	Right
Bottom	Bottom	Right	Bottom	Right
Bottom	Right	Bottom	Bottom

Example:

From this...			...to this

Two Corner Swap
(To swap position of two bottom corners.)

Right	Bottom	Right	Front
Bottom	Front	Right	Bottom
Right	Bottom	Bottom

Example:

From this...			...to this

Three Corner Shuffle
(To change orientation, but not position, of the bottom corners.)

Right	Bottom	Right	Bottom
Right	Bottom	Bottom	Right
Bottom	Bottom

Example:

From this...			...to this

Note: Use the following two sequences to help solve the bottom layer of the cube.

Edge Flipper Left

Left	Right	Front	Left	Right
Bottom	Bottom	Left	Right	Front
Left	Right

Example:

From this...			...to this

Edge Flipper Right

Front	Left	Back	Left	Back
Front	Bottom	Back	Bottom	Back

Example:

From this...			...to this