Beginner CFOP
CFOP, also called the Fridrich method, solves the cube in four steps: the Cross, the First two layers, Orienting the last layer and Permuting the last layer. This beginner version keeps the algorithms to a minimum: 13 F2L cases you can mostly work out, and the last layer in two short looks each.
Holding the cube
Every picture on this site is drawn with white on the bottom, yellow on top, blue at the front and red on the right. Solve the cross on the white face so it ends up underneath, and the last layer is always yellow.
Notation
Moves are named after the face you turn, looking straight at that face:
| Move | Meaning |
|---|---|
R L U D F B |
Turn the right, left, up, down, front or back face a quarter turn clockwise |
R' |
Anticlockwise (read "R prime") |
R2 |
Half turn |
r u f… (or Rw) |
Wide turn: the face and the middle layer next to it together |
M E S |
Middle slices: M turns like L, E like D, S like F |
x y z |
Turn the whole cube, like R, U and F respectively |
M* |
Turn the middle slice either way (M or M'): both work. Used in Roux edge orientation |
Brackets such as (R U R' U') group moves that flow together. When an algorithm needs the top layer turned first, it's written like U2 then …. Whole-cube rotations are shown lighter because they don't count as moves.
Step 1: The cross
Make a white cross on the bottom: the four white edges around the white centre, with each edge's other colour matching the centre above it. There are no algorithms here, just a method you can learn in a few minutes.
The daisy
- Hold yellow on top. Bring the four white edges up around the yellow centre, white stickers facing up, to make a "daisy". To lift an edge from the middle or bottom layer, turn the side face it's on. First turn
Uso that you don't knock out a white edge already placed above it. - Match and drop each petal. Turn
Uuntil one petal's side colour matches the centre below it, then turn that face twice (for exampleF2) to bring the edge down to the bottom. Repeat for the other three.
The white cross is now on the bottom with all four side colours lined up. Once this feels easy, try solving the cross directly on the bottom, as described in the Advanced CFOP guide.
Step 2: The first two layers
Solve the four white corners together with the four middle-layer edges beside them, one corner–edge pair at a time. For each pair, bring the corner and edge into the top layer, join them, and insert them into their slot.
Every case on the F2L page is for the front-right slot. To solve a different slot, turn the whole cube (y) until that slot is at the front right. If a piece is stuck in the wrong slot, take it out with one of the simple inserts (such as R U R') and it becomes one of the cases in the top layer.
Step 3: Orient the last layer
Make the whole top yellow in two looks: first the edges, then the corners.
Edges. Look at the yellow edges on top: none (a dot), two next to each other (an L) or two opposite (a line). Each has an algorithm that makes the yellow cross.
Corners. With the cross made, count the yellow corners on top and look at where the others' yellow stickers face. There are seven cases. If you only learn one, learn Sune: repeating it (turning the top between goes) eventually solves any of them.
Step 4: Permute the last layer
Move the top-layer pieces to their places, again in two looks: corners first, then edges.
Corners. Look around the sides of the top layer for headlights: two corners on the same side showing the same colour. Headlights on one side means an adjacent swap (T-perm); no headlights at all means a diagonal swap (Y-perm). If every side has headlights, the corners are already done.
Edges. With the corners solved, only the edges remain: a three-edge cycle (Ua or Ub, one side already solved), or two swaps (H or Z). Finish with a final turn of the top layer.
What next
Once this is comfortable, Advanced CFOP replaces the two-look last layer with single algorithms (57 OLL and 21 PLL cases) and covers every F2L case. That cuts out looks and moves.