How long does it take to learn to solve a Rubik's Cube?

Most beginners can solve a Rubik's Cube in 3-5 minutes after 1-2 weeks of practice using the beginner's method. With the CFOP speedcubing method, you can achieve sub-60 second solves in 2-3 months with regular practice.

What is the CFOP method?

CFOP (Cross, F2L, OLL, PLL) is the most popular speedcubing method used by world record holders. It involves solving the cube in four steps: creating a cross, solving the first two layers together, orienting the last layer, and permuting the last layer.

How many algorithms do I need to learn?

For the beginner's method, you need 5-7 basic algorithms. For full CFOP speedcubing, you'll learn 119 algorithms total: 41 for F2L, 57 for OLL, and 21 for PLL.

Rubik's Cube Tutorial: Beginner to Speedcubing (CFOP)

Understanding the Rubik's Cube

Cube Anatomy

The standard Rubik's Cube is a 3×3×3 puzzle with 6 faces, each with a distinct color:

Red

Opposite Orange

Orange

Opposite Red

Yellow

Opposite White

White

Opposite Yellow

Green

Opposite Blue

Blue

Opposite Green

Piece Types

Center Pieces (6 total)

These pieces have only one color and never move relative to each other. They define the color of each face.

Edge Pieces (12 total)

These pieces have two colors and sit between corners.

Corner Pieces (8 total)

These pieces have three colors and sit at the corners of the cube.

The center pieces determine which color belongs to which face. For example, if the white center is on top, white is the top face color!

Basic Concepts

The cube has 6 faces: Up, Down, Left, Right, Front, Back
Each face can rotate independently
The center pieces never move relative to each other
A solved cube has each face showing only one color

Cube Notation Guide

Understanding notation is essential for following algorithms. Each letter represents a face turn:

Basic Moves

R

Right face clockwise

L

Left face clockwise

U

Up face clockwise

D

Down face clockwise

F

Front face clockwise

B

Back face clockwise

Modified Moves

R'

Right counterclockwise (prime)

R2

Right 180° turn

Rw

Right two layers (wide)

M

Middle layer (like L)

E

Equator (like D)

S

Standing (like F)

"Clockwise" is always viewed from the perspective of looking directly at that face!

Reading Algorithms

Algorithms are read left to right
Spaces don't matter - they're for readability
Perform each move in sequence
Practice algorithms slowly at first

Beginner's Method (Layer by Layer)

Beginner Friendly

This is the easiest method to learn. Average solve time: 1-2 minutes with practice.

1

White Cross

2

First Layer

3

Second Layer

4

Yellow Cross

5

Top Layer

6

Final Layer

Step 1: White Cross

Hold the cube with white center on top
Find the four white edge pieces
Position each white edge on top, matching the side colors with the center pieces
You should have a white plus sign (+) on top

Step 2: White Corners (First Layer)

Find a white corner piece in the bottom layer
Position it below its target location
Use the algorithm repeatedly until the corner is solved:

R U R' U'

Repeat 2-4 times for each corner.

Step 3: Second Layer Edges

Flip the cube so white is on bottom. Now we'll solve the middle layer.

Find an edge piece in the top layer without yellow
Rotate top until the edge's top color matches a center
Determine if it goes left or right

To move edge to the right:

U R U' R' U' F' U F

To move edge to the left:

U' L' U L U F U' F'

Step 4: Yellow Cross

Now we form a yellow cross on top. You may have a dot, L shape, or line:

F R U R' U' F'

Repeat this algorithm 1-3 times until you have a yellow cross.

Step 5: Position Yellow Edges

Match the yellow edges with their centers. Rotate U until at least 2 edges match their sides, then:

R U R' U R U2 R'

May need to repeat once.

Step 6: Position Yellow Corners

Find a corner that's already in the right position (colors match even if orientation is wrong)
Hold that corner in the front-right position
Use this algorithm:

U R U' L' U R' U' L

Step 7: Orient Yellow Corners

Finally, orient all corners correctly:

R' D' R D

Repeat 2-4 times on each corner. Turn only the top (U) layer between corners.

Don't worry if the cube looks messy during step 7. Keep going through all corners and it will solve itself!

CFOP Method (Fridrich Method)

Intermediate

The most popular speedcubing method. Average solve time: 15-30 seconds for intermediates, under 10 seconds for experts.

What is CFOP?

CFOP stands for:

Cross

Solve the first layer cross in 8 moves or less (ideally during inspection)

F2L (First Two Layers)

Solve the first two layers simultaneously using 41 algorithms

OLL (Orient Last Layer)

Orient all last layer pieces (57 algorithms)

PLL (Permute Last Layer)

Permute last layer pieces to solve the cube (21 algorithms)

Cross Tips

Plan the entire cross during the 15-second inspection
Aim for 8 moves or less
Practice "color neutrality" - being able to start with any color cross
Look ahead to F2L pairs during cross execution

F2L Fundamentals

F2L pairs a corner with its corresponding edge. Key concepts:

Find corner and edge pieces that belong together
Pair them in the top layer
Insert the pair into the correct slot
41 different cases, but intuition is key

Basic F2L Case Example:

U R U' R'

This is the simplest case where corner and edge are separated.

OLL - Sample Cases

Sune (very common):

R U R' U R U2 R'

Anti-Sune:

R U2 R' U' R U' R'

T-shape:

F R U R' U' F'

PLL - Sample Cases

Ua Perm (3-edge cycle):

M2 U M U2 M' U M2

Ub Perm:

M2 U' M U2 M' U' M2

T Perm:

R U R' U' R' F R2 U' R' U' R U R' F'

Don't try to learn all 78 algorithms at once! Start with 2-look OLL and 2-look PLL, then gradually add more algorithms as you improve.

Advanced Methods

Advanced

Roux Method

Intermediate

Steps:

First Block (FB): 3x2x1 block on left
Second Block (SB): 3x2x1 block on right
CMLL: Last layer corners (42 algorithms)
LSE: Last six edges using M and U moves

Advantages: Fewer algorithms, very efficient, great for OH (one-handed) solving

Average solve time: Sub-15 with practice

ZZ Method

Advanced

Steps:

EOLine: Orient all edges and create line on bottom
F2L: Complete first two layers (no rotations needed!)
LL: Last layer (493 algorithms for ZBLL, or use OCLL/PLL)

Advantages: No cube rotations, very ergonomic, efficient

Average solve time: Sub-10 possible

Petrus Method

Intermediate

Steps:

2x2x2 block
Expand to 2x2x3
Orient all edges
Complete F2L
Last layer (OLL + PLL)

Advantages: Intuitive, few algorithms, good for beginners transitioning to advanced methods

One-Handed Solving (OH)

Tips for OH solving:

Use table abuse (rest cube on table)
Learn Roux method (very OH-friendly)
Use more M and U moves
Avoid B and D moves when possible

Blindfolded Solving (BLD)

Most common method: M2/R2

Memorize edge permutation using letter pairs
Memorize corner permutation using letter pairs
Execute edge solution using M2 method
Execute corner solution using R2 method

BLD requires extensive memory training. Start with 2x2 blindfolded to learn the concepts!

Tips & Tricks for Improvement

Practice Strategies

Deliberate Practice

Focus on one step at a time
Use a timer but don't obsess over it initially
Do slow solves to build muscle memory
Record yourself to identify inefficiencies

Look-ahead

Track the next piece while solving current piece
Reduce pauses between steps
Practice slow turning with continuous look-ahead
Don't sacrifice look-ahead for speed

Finger Tricks

Efficient finger movements are crucial for speed:

R: Push with right index finger
R': Pull with right index finger
U: Push with left index finger
U': Pull with right index finger
F: Use both index fingers
Practice double flicks for U2, R2, etc.

Cube Hardware

Choosing a Speedcube

GAN 12
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MoYu RS3M 2020
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QiYi Tornado V3
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GAN Lubricant
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YJ Timer
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Cube Maintenance

Lubricate regularly (every 1000 solves)
Tension springs evenly
Clean pieces every few months
Break in new cubes with 200+ solves

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learning too many algorithms too quickly
Not learning full PLL before moving to advanced methods
Ignoring cross efficiency
Turning too fast without accuracy
Not practicing look-ahead
Getting stuck in one method without exploring others

Progression Timeline

Week 1-2: Learn beginner method, solve in 3-5 minutes
Month 1: Consistent sub-2 minute solves
Month 2-3: Sub-60 seconds, start learning CFOP
Month 6: Sub-30 seconds with full CFOP
Year 1: Sub-20 seconds, exploring advanced techniques
Year 2+: Sub-15 seconds, competing locally

Mastering the Cube...

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Understanding the Rubik's Cube

Cube Anatomy

Piece Types

Center Pieces (6 total)

Edge Pieces (12 total)

Corner Pieces (8 total)

Basic Concepts

Cube Notation Guide

Basic Moves

Modified Moves

Reading Algorithms

Beginner's Method (Layer by Layer)

Step 1: White Cross

Step 2: White Corners (First Layer)

Step 3: Second Layer Edges

Step 4: Yellow Cross

Step 5: Position Yellow Edges

Step 6: Position Yellow Corners

Step 7: Orient Yellow Corners

CFOP Method (Fridrich Method)

What is CFOP?

Cross

F2L (First Two Layers)

OLL (Orient Last Layer)

PLL (Permute Last Layer)

Cross Tips

F2L Fundamentals

OLL - Sample Cases

PLL - Sample Cases

Advanced Methods

Roux Method

ZZ Method

Petrus Method

One-Handed Solving (OH)

Blindfolded Solving (BLD)

Tips & Tricks for Improvement

Practice Strategies

Deliberate Practice

Look-ahead

Finger Tricks

Cube Hardware

Choosing a Speedcube

Cube Maintenance

Common Mistakes to Avoid