Learn How To Do The Rubik's Cube In 3 Mins Or Less Using 7 Easy Steps With Short Algorithms Phonetically

HOW TO DO
THE RUBIK'S CUBE
(in ~3 mins or less,
using 7 easy steps!)
By J. Skyler Fernandes

Summary: How To Do The Rubik’s Cube In ~3 Mins Or Less Using 7 Easy Steps!
Complete Upper Layer: Slides
1. Create & Align Cross, so edge pieces align with center pieces 8-12
2. Place & Rotate Corners 13-17
Complete Middle Layer:
3. Build Middle Layer, and fix corners of Upper Layer 18-22
Complete Bottom Layer: (Using 4 Algorithms)
4. Create Cross: FRU-RiUiFi (Phonetically: Fru-Roof) 23-26
• 1st three clockwise, 2nd three counter-clockwise
5. Align Cross: RUU-RiUi-RUiRi (Phonetically: Roo-Ro-Roar) 27-29
• 1st three clockwise, 2nd two counter clockwise,
next one clockwise, then next two counter-clockwise
6. Place Corners: LiUR-UiLU-Ri (Phonetically: Lur-YouLu-Re) 30-32
• 1st one of each set is counter-clockwise
7. Rotate Corners: RUU-RiUi-RUiRi, LiUUL-ULi-UL 33-40
• 1st algorithm is same as Step 5
• 2nd algorithm phonetically: LooL-UL-UL. 1st and 3rd L’s are counter-clockwise 2

About Tutorial:
Goal: If you use the following strategy you should be able to do the Rubik’s cube in ~3 mins relatively easily
with some practice, and ~2 mins or under if you build up some muscle memory.
Why I Created This Tutorial: I created this tutorial to save you the pain, suffering and time that I went
through to learn how to do the Rubik’s cube. I spent a considerable amount of time studying the Rubik’s cube
in all its glory. After reading and watching many tutorials, many of which were overly complicated or not
complete solutions for all scenarios, I came up with a simplified approach to doing the Rubik’s cube that I
wanted to share with others.
I always wanted to do the Rubik’s cube (just like you!), but it seemed super complicated (requiring a high IQ,
which it doesn’t, though it helps) and not enjoyable. I heard you could use algorithms (which is true) to
complete it, which sounds hard (but it’s not!). I’ve narrowed down the method to only four short algorithms
that you need to learn and I came up with an easy way to remember them by how they sound phonetically!
There are many ways of doing the Rubik’s cube. Some ways take longer than others and vary in the degree
of difficulty to remember or understand. My method is not the fastest method, and it uses a standard process
frequently taught in tutorials, but is presented in a way that I believe is easier to follow along and remember.
I now walk down the street doing the Rubik’s cube and it’s relaxing, meditative, and dare I say enjoyable!
I hope you can use this strategy to quickly learn how to do the Rubik’s cube and start having fun!
3

Video Proof: Here is a video of me doing the Rubik’s Cube in 2 mins and 14 secs (which
is not my fastest time!) using the method in this tutorial. Note: In the video I am using a
speed cube, which allows the Rubik’s cube to turn faster. With a regular Rubik’s Cube I’m
consistently in the ~3 min range (which is an average time that almost anyone can achieve
by using this tutorial!). Link to video.
About Me: LinkedIn.
4
More About Tutorial & Background:
Words of Encouragement: Don’t let the number of slides in this tutorial intimidate you. Instead feel comforted in
knowing that I provided more details for all scenarios to make learning how to do the Rubik’s Cube less
confusing and stressful, and easier to walk through step by step with examples.
Doing the Rubik’s Cube the first time is the hardest and most frustrating, but it keeps getting easier the more
times you do it. Steps 1-3 are usually the easiest to learn, Steps 4-7 are usually the hardest, but hopefully you’ll
find them much easier to do by using and memorizing the last four short algorithms phonetically.
If you find any errors, confusions, or ideas for how to improve this tutorial, please comment below on SlideShare.

Center pieces don't move and they define their side!
White Center = White Side. The side with a white center will always be the white side.
The white side will always be opposite from the yellow side.
The blue side will always be opposite from the green side.
The orange side will always be opposite from the red side.
White Side Yellow Side Blue Side Green Side
5

Corner pieces (three sided) can only be corner pieces.
Edge pieces (two sided) can only be edge pieces.
This makes doing the Rubik’s Cube much easier!
Edge Piece = Two Sided
(Yellow / Red)Corner Piece = Three Sided
(White / Orange / Blue)
6

Definition of Layers &
Turning Layers Clockwise vs. Counter-Clockwise
• You can hold the Rubik’s cube in any direction, the
Front Layer is whatever side is facing you, it could
be the green side or any side.
• F = Front Layer (Layer facing you)
• B = Back Layer (Layer facing away from you)
• R = Right Layer (Layer facing right)
• L = Left Layer (Layer facing left)
• U = Upper Layer (Layer facing up)
• D = Down Layer (Layer facing down)
• If a letter doesn’t have an “i” after it, turn clockwise
(Example: F = turn front layer clockwise )
• If a letter has an “i” after it, turn counter-clockwise
(“i” is for inverse)
(Example: Fi = turn front layer counter-clockwise)
F: Front Layer
B: Back Layer
R: Right LayerL: Left Layer
U: Upper Layer
D: Down Layer
7

Step 1: Create a Cross on Upper Layer
1. Start off by picking any side to be your Upper Layer, the
layer facing up. This tutorial example uses the White
side, the side with the White center square, as the Upper
Layer facing up.
2. The goal of Step 1 is to create a White cross "+" shape
on the Upper Layer, so the center piece, top middle,
bottom middle, middle left and middle right, all have the
same color (white)
3. Also, in the process of creating the White cross, make
the other edges of the two sided edge pieces match the
center pieces on four sides of the Rubik's cube
• White / Green edge piece aligns with Green center
• White / Red edge piece aligns with Red center
• White / Blue edge piece aligns with Blue center
• White / Orange edge piece aligns with Orange center
4. This is relatively easy to do with a little trying,
no algorithm needed to memorize!
5. Don't worry about the corner pieces, we’ll do that later
White Cross on Upper Layer
White / Green edge piece aligns
with Green center piece
White / Red edge piece aligns
with Red center piece
8

General Process:
1. Find an edge piece with White on it
2. Look at the color on the other edge (Example: It will be either
Green, Red, Blue, or Orange)
3. Move the White edge piece so the other edge color aligns with a
center piece color (Example: The White / Orange edge piece
aligns with the Orange center)
4. Rotate a side (Example: the Orange side, the side with the
Orange center) so the White edge will face up, and the other
edge color will align with the side center color (Example: Orange
edge aligns with Orange center). The first White edge of the
White cross is now in place!
9
I found a White edge piece!
White center piece is facing up
The other edge is Orange!
It’s a White / Orange edge piece!
Hold Orange side facing you
Turn Right Layer (Green side)
clockwise once
So now the Orange edge aligns with
the Orange center
1.
2.
3.
3.
4.
Turn Front Layer (Orange side)
counter-clockwise once
So now White edge faces up,
Orange edge aligns with Orange center
4.

Repeat Step 1 until all four white edge pieces create a white cross,
and other edge colors align with the center piece on each side
1. Find another edge piece with White on it
2. Look at the color on the other edge
center piece color
4. Rotate a side so the White edge will face up, and the other edge
color will align with the side center color. The second White
edge of the White cross is now in place!
10
I found another White edge piece!
And the other edge is Blue!
White center piece is facing up
So now the White edge faces up,
Blue edge aligns with Blue center
1.
+
2.
3.
Turn Right Layer (Blue side)
clockwise once
The White / Blue edge piece is
already aligned with the Blue center!
4.
4.

So now White edge faces up,
Green edge aligns with Green center
center piece color
color will align with the side center color. The third White edge
of the White cross is now in place!
11
And the other edge is Green!
White center piece is facing up1.
+
2.
3.
Turn Right Layer (Red side)
3.
So now the White / Green edge
piece aligns with Green center
4. Turn Front Layer (Green side)
4.

center piece color
color will align with the side center color. The forth White edge
of the White cross is now in place, and all edges are aligned
with the side center pieces!
12
And the other edge is Red!
White center piece is facing up1.
+
2.
3.
3.
So now the White / Red edge
piece is in the bottom facing /
Down Layer
4. Turn Right Layer (Blue
side) clockwise once, to
fix the White / Blue edge,
with White facing up
4.
3. Turn Down Layer
(Yellow side)
Clockwise, so White
/ Red edge aligns
with Red center
4.4. Turn Front Layer (Red
side) counter-clockwise
twice,
so White / Red edge has
White facing up

Step 2: Place & Align the Corners on Upper Layer
1. Hold the Rubik’s cube with White side facing up as
the Upper Layer
2. Look for a corner piece with White on it, especially if
it’s already in the bottom row / Down Layer, and
facing outwards (not facing down)
3. If there is a White corner piece in the bottom row,
with White facing outwards (not facing down), then
rotate the bottom row (clockwise or counter-
clockwise) so the other outward facing color of the
corner (Example: Green) aligns with the center piece
(Example: Green)
4. If there is not a White corner piece in the bottom row,
then move a corner piece with White to the bottom
row, with White facing outwards (not facing down),
then rotate the bottom row (clockwise or counter-
clockwise) so the other outward facing color of the
corner (Example: Green) aligns with the center piece
(Example: Green)
• Try not to mess up the White cross in this process, if you
do, fix and maintain the White cross!
Example: White / Green / Orange corner has its
White side facing outwards (not facing down), its
Green side facing outwards aligning with the
Green center, and its Orange side facing down
(across from Orange center)
13

DiD
Turn Down Layer (Yellow side)
clockwise once
(This turns the green corner
away from the green center)
Turn Right Layer (Green side)
Turn Right Layer (Green
Side) clockwise once
The first White corner has been placed!
White corner is now aligned with White center.
Orange corner is aligned with Orange center.
Green corner is aligned with Green center.
14
Hold the Rubik’s cube so that the side with the White corner is in the bottom row facing you
(Example: Image on previous slide = Orange side faces you, with White corner in bottom right)
Ri R
1. 2. 3. 4.
Note: If the White corner was on the bottom
left (instead of bottom right) facing outwards,
always turn the colored corner away from
the same colored center, do: Di, L, D, Li

(Repeat Step 2)
1. Hold the Rubik’s cube with White side facing up as the
Upper Layer
2. Look for a corner piece with White on it, especially if it’s
already in the bottom row / Down Layer, and facing
outwards (not facing down)
3. If there is a White corner piece in the bottom row, with
White facing outwards (not facing down), then rotate the
bottom row (clockwise or counter-clockwise) so the other
outward facing color of the corner (Example: Blue) aligns
with the center piece (Example: Blue)
4. If there is not a White corner piece in the bottom row,
then move a corner piece with White to the bottom row,
with White facing outwards (not facing down), then
rotate the bottom row (clockwise or counter-clockwise)
so the other outward facing color of the corner (Example:
Blue) aligns with the center piece (Example: Blue)
• Try not to mess up the White cross, if you do, fix and maintain
the White cross!
Example: White / Blue / Red corner piece has its
White side facing outwards (not facing down), its
Blue side aligns with Blue center, and its Red side
facing down (across from Red center)
15

DiD
Turn Right Layer (Blue
side) clockwise once
The second White corner has been placed!
White corner aligned with White center.
Red corner aligned with Red center.
Blue corner aligned with Blue center.
16
Hold Rubik’s cube so that the side with the White corner is in the bottom row facing you
(Example: Image in previous slide = Red side faces you, with White corner in bottom right)
clockwise once
(This turns the Blue corner
away from the Blue center)
Ri R
1. 2. 3. 4.
Note: If the White corner was on the bottom
left (instead of bottom right) facing outwards,
always turn the colored corner away from
the same colored center, do: Di, L, D, Li

(Repeat Step 2)
1. Repeat Step 2 two more times to place the last two
corners until all four corners have been placed on
the Upper Layer
• Step 2’s process is relatively easy to remember how to
do without memorizing an algorithm
• Potential Scenario: If you find a corner with White
facing down, it needs to be rotated first so it is facing
outwards and then you can use Step 2’s process to
place the corner correctly on the Upper Layer
• If a corner with White is facing down, rotate the Down
Layer (clockwise or counter-clockwise) so the other two
edge colors are across from their center colors. Hold
the Rubik’s cube with the White corner in the bottom
left corner, with the White piece facing down, do: L, D,
D, Li. This will rotate the corner. Then Repeat Step 2.
3. Upper Layer should now be complete = All White
4. The First Row should also now be complete, and
aligned with the center colors on all four sides
Upper Layer is complete
(All White)
First Row is complete and aligned with center
colors on all four sides
(Example: Blue center aligns with Blue edge
and Blue corners, Orange center aligns with
Orange edge and Orange corners, etc.)
17

D
Di
Step 3: Create Middle Layer
& Fix Corners on Upper Layer
1. Rotate the Down Layer (clockwise or counter-clockwise) so
a side edge piece (Orange) aligns with a center piece
(Orange), and where the bottom edge piece is not Yellow
(Example: Blue on bottom)
2. Di: Then rotate the Down Layer away (clockwise or counter-
clockwise) from the center color that matches the bottom
edge piece color. (Example: With the Orange / Blue edge
piece, and Blue facing down, rotate Down Layer (Yellow
side) counter-clockwise, away from Blue side).
3. L: Rotate Left Layer(Blue side) clockwise
4. D: Rotate Down Layer (Yellow side) clockwise
5. Li: Rotate Left Layer (Blue side) counter-clockwise
6. Fix the White corner (Using Step 2) to place it correctly back
on the Upper Layer
7. A middle layer piece will now be placed correctly
(Example: The Orange / Blue edge piece is placed
correctly in middle layer), and the White corner will be fixed
Orange edge aligns with
Orange center, with Blue
on bottom. Hold Orange
side facing you.
2) 3)
4) 5)
6)
1)
7)
18
L
Li

LiD
LDi
1. Repeat Step 3. Rotate Down Layer (clockwise or counter-
clockwise) until another bottom side edge piece (Green)
aligns with a center piece (Green), and where the bottom
edge piece color is not Yellow (Example: Orange on bottom)
edge piece color. (Example: With Green / Orange edge
piece, and Orange facing down, rotate Down Layer (Yellow
side) counter-clockwise, away from Orange side)
3. L: Rotate Left Layer (Orange side) clockwise
5. Li: Rotate Left Layer (Orange side) counter-clockwise
6. Fix the White corner (Use Step 2) to place is correctly back
on the Upper Layer
(Example: The Green / Orange edge piece is placed
correctly in middle layer), and the White corner will be fixed
Green edge aligns
with Green center,
with Orange on bottom.
Hold Green side facing you.
2) 3)
4) 5)
6)
1)
7)
19

D
clockwise) until another bottom layer side edge piece (Red)
aligns with a center piece (Red), and where the bottom
edge piece is not Yellow (Example: Blue on bottom)
2. D: Then rotate the Down Layer away (clockwise or counter-
edge piece (Example: With the Red / Blue edge piece, and
Blue facing down, rotate bottom layer (Yellow side)
clockwise, away from Blue side)
3. Ri: Rotate Right Layer (Blue side) counter-clockwise
4. Di: Rotate Down Layer (Yellow side) counter-clockwise
5. R: Rotate Right Layer (Blue side) clockwise
on the Upper Layer
(Example: The Red / Blue edge piece is placed correctly in
middle layer), and the White corner will be fixed
Red edge aligns
with Red center,
with Blue on bottom.
Hold Red side facing you.
2) 3)
4) 5)
6)
1)
7)
20
Ri
RDi

D
Di
clockwise) until another bottom layer side edge piece (Red)
aligns with a center piece (Red), and where the bottom
edge piece is not Yellow (Example: Green on bottom)
edge piece (Example: With the Red / Green edge piece,
and Green facing down, rotate bottom layer (Yellow side)
counter-clockwise, away from Green side)
3. L: Rotate Left Layer (Green side) clockwise
5. Li: Rotate Left Layer (Green side) counter-clockwise
on the Upper Layer
(Example: The Red / Green edge piece is placed correctly
in middle layer), and the White corner will be fixed
Red edge aligns
with Red center,
with Green on bottom.
Hold Red side facing you.
2) 3)
4) 5)
6)
1)
7)
21
L
Li

Step 3: Create Middle Layer & Fix Corners on Upper Layer
Repeat Step 3, until the Middle Layer is compete
Note: If there is not a Down Layer edge piece where one outward facing edge matches
the center and the bottom edge is not Yellow, still repeat step 3 as it will setup the cube
for repeating step 3 to work the following time
Middle Layer is Complete
& Upper Layer Is Still Complete!
22

Step 4: Create a Cross on Down Facing Layer
(Yellow Side)
• Once the Middle Layer is complete, and aligned with the
Upper Layer, flip the Rubik's cube over and look at Down
Layer (Example: the Yellow side, the old Down Layer, now
it’s the new Upper Layer!)
• You will have one of three scenarios:
1. Yellow only in the center
(Hold cube in any way when doing algorithm on next slide,
as long as the Down Layer (Yellow side) is now facing up)
2. L Shape: Yellow center, Yellow middle right, Yellow middle
bottom (Hold cube as such when doing algorithm on next
slide, with Down Layer (Yellow side) facing up)
3. Line: Yellow center, Yellow middle left, Yellow middle right
(Hold cube as such when doing algorithm on next slide,
with Down Layer (Yellow side) facing up)
• Repeating the algorithm on next slide will cycle through
these three scenarios until you have a Yellow cross
23

(Yellow Side)
Algorithm: FRU-RiUiFi:
• F: Turn front layer clockwise
• R: Turn right layer clockwise
• U: Turn upper layer clockwise
• Ri: Turn right layer counter-clockwise
• Ui: Turn upper layer counter-clockwise
• Fi: Turn front layer counter-clockwise
An easy way to memorize algorithm:
• Phonetically: FRU-RiUiFi = Fru-Roof
Scenario: Yellow center, Yellow middle right,
Yellow bottom middle
F R U
Ri Ui Fi
24

(Yellow Side)
Scenario: Turn cube so yellow line is horizonal, not vertical.
Yellow center, Yellow middle left, Yellow middle right.
F R U
Ri Ui Fi
25

(Yellow Side)
The Yellow cross has now been created!
26

Step 5: Align Cross on Down Facing Layer
(Yellow Side)
• Once the cross is made on the Upper Layer (Example:
Yellow side), some edge pieces may not be aligned
with center pieces
1. Rotate the Upper Layer (Example: Yellow side) until
two of the edge pieces align with center pieces
2. Two other edge pieces may need to be swapped
• Usually it’s the bottom middle and middle right edge
• Sometimes it’s the bottom middle and top middle edge
3. Hold cube so the edges that need to be swapped are
positioned in bottom middle and middle right, and do
this algorithm to swap the edge pieces: RUU-RiUi-RUiRi
4. An easy way to memorize algorithm:
• Phonetically: RUU-RiUi-RUiRi = Roo-Ro-Roar
next one clockwise, next two counter-clockwise
Example: Yellow / Red edge piece and Yellow
/ Green edge piece are aligned with centers,
but Yellow / Blue and Yellow / Orange edge
pieces need to be swapped to match centers.
27

(Yellow Side)
Algorithm: RUU-RiUi-RUiRi
R U U
Ri Ui
R Ui Ri
28

(Yellow Side)
• Rotate the Upper Layer one more time to align the
layer’s edge pieces with the center pieces
• The cross should now be complete on Upper Layer,
and edge pieces should all be aligned with centers
Example: Yellow / Orange edge piece and
Yellow / Blue edge piece are aligned with
centers, and Yellow / Red and Yellow / Green
edge pieces are aligned with centers.
Ui
29

Step 6: Place Corners (Yellow Side)
Potential Scenarios:
1. No corners are correctly placed
• Hold Rubik’s cube any way, as long as Upper Layer (Example:
Yellow side) is facing up when doing the following algorithm
2. One corner is correctly placed (but may or may not be
correctly rotated)
• Hold the Rubik’s cube with the one correctly placed corner in
the bottom right corner when doing the following algorithm
3. All corners are correctly placed (but may or may not be
correctly rotated) – Skip algorithm below
• Use this algorithm to place corners: LiUR-UiLU-Ri
• An easy way to memorize algorithm:
• Phonetically: LiUR-UiLU-Ri = Lur-YouLu-Re
• First letter of each string (Li, Ui, Ri) is counter-clockwise
• You may have to do this algorithm one or multiple times
before all corners are correctly placed
Example: Incorrectly placed corner =
Orange / Blue / Yellow corner piece
on the corner of Red / Green / Yellow
Example: Correctly placed corner =
Red / Green / Yellow corner piece on
the corner of Red / Green / Yellow
30

L
Use this algorithm to place corners: LiUR-UiLU-Ri
• Li: Turn left layer counter-clockwise
• L: Turn left layer clockwise
• Phonetically: LiUR-UiLU-Ri = Lur-YouLu-Re
• First letter of each string (Li, Ui, Ri) is counter-clockwise
Li U R
Ui
Ri
U
31

• One more turn of the Upper Layer to align edge pieces with centers
• Re-evaluate the corners to see if one or more corners are now correctly placed.
Repeat Step 6 until all corners are correctly placed.
Ui
Example: Initially all corners were
incorrectly placed.
Now after doing the algorithm once,
one corner is correctly placed, but
three corners are still incorrectly placed.
Example: After doing the algorithm twice,
all corners are now correctly placed!
32

Step 7: Rotate Corners (Yellow Side)
Three Potential Scenarios:
1. No corners are correctly rotated
• Hold the Rubik’s cube anyway, as long as the upper layer
(yellow side) is facing up when doing the following algorithm
2. One corner is correctly rotated
• Hold the Rubik’s cube with the one correctly rotated corner
in the bottom left corner when doing the following algorithm
3. Two corners are correctly rotated
• Hold the Rubik’s cube with the two incorrectly rotated
corners on the right when doing the following algorithm
Use This Algorithm To Rotate Corners: RUU-RiUi-RUiRi, LiUUL-ULi-UL
• 1st Algorithm: The same algorithm as step 5
• 1st three clockwise, 2nd two counter clockwise, next one
clockwise, next two counter-clockwise
• Then do 2nd Algorithm:
• Phonetically: LiUUL-ULi-UL = LooL-UL-UL
• 1st and 3rd L’s are counter-clockwise
• You may need repeat these two algorithms together one or
multiple times until all corners are correctly rotated, and then
you’re done!
Example: All corners are correctly placed,
but no corners are correctly rotated!
33
Example: Two corners are correctly placed
and rotated, and two others corners are
correctly placed, but not correctly rotated!

• Use this algorithm to rotate corners:
RUU-RiUi-RUiRi, LiUUL-ULi-UL
• 1st algorithm is the same as Step 5
R U U
Ri Ui
R Ui Ri
34

• L: Turn left later clockwise
U UA L
U
Li
U L
Li Two corners are now correctly
placed and rotated, and two other
corners are incorrectly rotated!
35

• Repeat Step 7
Example: Two corners are correctly placed and rotated on the Upper Layer, and
two other corners are correctly placed, but not correctly rotated! You may need
to do this algorithm 1-2 more times until the last two corners are rotated correctly.
Note: Hold the cube with the incorrect corners on the right (i.e. the Yellow
corners either facing toward you and away from you, or the Yellow corners
are facing to the right. Repeat Step 7.
36

• Repeat Step 7
R U U
Ri Ui
R Ui Ri
37
Example: Two corners are correctly placed and rotated,
but two other corners are not correctly rotated!

• Repeat Step 7
U U L
U
Li
U L
Li
Two corners are correctly placed
and rotated, but two other corners
are not correctly rotated!
The Yellow corners now face to
the right (vs. towards & away from
you like before). Hold the cube
with the orange side facing you
and repeat Step 7 one more time.
38

• Repeat Step 7
R U U
Ri Ui
R Ui Ri
39

• Repeat Step 7
U U L
U
Li
U L
Li
Rubik’s Cube is now complete!
40

Learn How To Do The Rubik's Cube In 3 Mins Or Less Using 7 Easy Steps With Short Algorithms Phonetically

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