Solve a Rubik's Cube in Four Easy Steps

I have always had problems solving the Rubik's Cube. When I was younger I resorted to removing the stickers and rearranging them in their proper spot until I learned that I could pop the cube apart and put it back together correctly. My youngest son recently bought a Rubik's Cube and proceeded to mix it up and then asked me for help in solving it. I didn't want him to get the idea that cheating was the right way to do things so I learned how to solve the Rubik's Cube.

For these instructions I will refer to:

Top = top layer of cube

Bottom = bottom layer of cube

Left = the side in your left hand

Right = the side in your right hand

Front = the side right in front of the cube

Away = twist that part away from you

Toward = twist that part toward you

The first command is the part of the cube that you will twist. The second command is the direction you will twist it. Twist the part of the cube only once as you follow each command.

Solving a Rubik's Cube: Step One

Pick a side, any side and I will refer to that as the 'top' of the cube. Match up the top color with the middle square of each side. This is easy once you think about it but you may run into a few snags.

Middle piece: If you have a piece in the middle of a row that has the correct colors but the piece is flipped so that the colors are on the opposite sides of where they should be then put that space so that it is on the top of the cube and in the closest position to you and do this sequence:

Front (left), Top (right), Left (away), Top (left)

Corner Piece: If you have a corner piece that has all the correct colors but the colors are in the wrong place then position that piece in the lower right hand corner of the top of the cube do this sequence:

Right (toward), Bottom (left), Right (away), Bottom (right)

You may have to do this more than once to get the piece into position. Keep repeating the sequence, keeping the piece in the lower right hand corner at the top of the cube, until your corner is aligned.

Now you should have one side a solid color and one row all the way along the top of the cube that is also the correct color on each side.

Solving a Rubik's Cube: Step Two

Flip the Rubik's Cube over so that the completed side becomes the bottom and a mixed up side is on the top of the cube. This will be the called the 'top' of the cube, and the solved side will be the 'bottom' of the cube, for the remainder of the steps. You will be solving for the second row all the way around the cube.

Look for a middle edge color that does not contain the color of the middle square on the top of the cube. Turn the top layer to line up the side color with the correct side. Look at both sides next to the front face of the cube to determine which side the piece needs to go.

If the piece needs to go to the left then do this sequence:

Top (left), Left (away), Top (right), Left (toward), Top (right), Front (right), Top (left), Front (left)

If the piece needs to go to the right then do this sequence:

Top (right), Right (away), Top (left), Right (toward), Top (left), Front (left), Top (right), Front (right)

Continue to solve each middle piece by rotating only the top layer of your Rubik's Cube. So now you should have the bottom of the cube and the two bottom rows all around the cube solved correctly.

Solving a Rubik's Cube: Step Three

The top of your cube, which is still not solved, should have one of three color configurations. You should have a straight color line across the middle, a single color right in the middle, or have a little 'L' shape that includes the middle piece.

A single color or 'L' shape: If you have a little 'L' shape then orient that shape so that the 'L' is backwards in the upper left corner of the top of the cube. When you are done with this sequence then you should have a straight line across the middle:

Front (right), Right (away), Top (right), Right (toward), Top (left), Front (left)

A straight line across the middle: hold the cube so that the line is horizontal. The goal is to get a cross shape. Here's the sequence:

Front (right), Right (away), Top (right), Right (toward), Top (left), Front (left)

The cross shape: Line up one of the cross colors with the correct color on the side. Your goal is to get all the middle pieces along the edges lined up with the colors along the sides of the cube.

If the sides that match up are on the opposite sides of the cube then hold the cube so that one is right in front of you and the other is behind the cube and do the next sequence twice:

Right (away), Top (right), Right (toward), Top (right), Right (away), Top (right), Top (right), Right (toward)

If the side colors line up next to each other then hold one side in your right hand and make sure the second side it at the back of the cube. Do the next sequence:

Right (away), Top (right), Right (toward), Top (right), Right (away), Top (right), Top (right), Right (toward)

Your cross should now be matched up on all sides.

Solving a Rubik's Cube: Step Four

Top Corners: You now need to get the correct piece in all corners. The colors do not need to be lined up correctly you just need to get the right pieces in the corners.

Find a corner that has the right colors but the colors aren't lined up correctly. If you don't have piece like that, don't worry, just follow the next sequence and you will. If you do have a piece like that then orient that corner in the lower right hand corner of the top of the cube and do this sequence:

Top (right), Right (away), Top (left), Left (away), Top (right), Right (toward), Top (left), Left (toward)
Keep repeating this until all the corners are in the correct place (but the colors may not be lined up).

Remember: The colors will not necessarily be lined up correctly they will just be in the correct spot.

Solve the corners: To line up the colors in all the corners you need to start with a mixed up corner in the lower right hand corner on the top of the cube. Warning: It will look like you are messing up the entire cube, don't worry, just follow these instructions:

Right (toward), Bottom (left), Right (away), Bottom (right)
Repeat this sequence until the colors in the corner you are working on are correctly positioned.

Rotate ONLY the top layer of the cube so that the next mixed up corner is in the lower right hand position on the top of the cube and do the above sequence until all four corners are solved.

You should now have a completely solved Rubik's Cube. Congratulations!