If you are learning to solve a Rubik’s Cube from scratch, the layer-by-layer method is one of the easiest ways to start. The basic idea is simple: finish the bottom layer first, then the middle layer, and leave the top layer for last. The first two stages are relatively straightforward and require only a small number of repeated moves. The top layer is where most of the memorization happens.

Bottom layer

Start by placing the white center on the bottom. Once that is done, the yellow center will naturally be on top.

Make the white cross

With yellow on top, first build a cross of four white edge pieces around the yellow center on the top layer.

For each white edge piece, look at the side color next to white. For example, if the piece is white-green, rotate the top layer until the green side lines up with the green center on the side. At that point, the side should look like white-green-green. Then turn that face 180 degrees so the white piece moves down into the bottom layer.

Repeat this with the other three white edge pieces until the bottom has a white cross centered on the white middle piece.

Insert the white corners

Next, find any top-layer piece that contains white. Check its other two colors. For example, if the corner is red-blue-white, move it above the space between the red and blue centers on the side.

Then use the formula up, left, down, right.

If using up, left, down, right once does not solve that corner, keep repeating the same formula until the white corner moves into the correct position on the bottom.

Check color alignment on the bottom layer

Even if the entire bottom face becomes white, do not stop immediately. You also need to check whether the colors around the bottom row match the adjacent side centers.

If they do not match, continue using up, left, down, right until the bottom layer is not only white on the underside, but also properly aligned with the neighboring side colors.

Middle layer

Once the white bottom layer is done, move on to the second layer.

Find a top-layer edge without yellow

Look for an edge piece in the top layer that does not contain yellow. Rotate the top until one side of that piece matches the color of the side center below it.

Then move the piece away from that matching color, and determine whether the edge needs to go left or right.

• If it needs to go to the right, use the right-hand formula.
• If it needs to go to the left, use the left-hand formula.

After that, perform the corresponding left-hand or right-hand formula on the other face as needed.

Keep repeating this process until the entire second layer matches.

If no top edge fits this case

If you cannot find any top-layer edge piece without yellow that can be inserted, that usually means a wrong edge is already stuck in the middle layer.

To fix it, find the incorrect middle-layer edge, place it on the right side with that face directly facing you, and perform the right-hand formula. Then take the face that had been facing you and move it to the left side so it faces your left hand, and perform the left-hand formula.

This will bring the incorrect edge up to the top layer, where it can be inserted correctly later.

Top layer

The top layer is the most complicated part. It is usually handled in several separate steps.

Turn the top into a yellow cross

There are three cases before the yellow cross is complete:

1. Center dot only
   Use the formula below, and it will become an L-shape.

2. L-shape
   Hold the cube so the lower-right corner of the L-shape is facing you, then use the same formula. It will become a straight line.

3. Straight line
   Hold the line so it is parallel to you, then use the same formula. It will become a cross.

Formula: front clockwise 90 degrees, right-hand formula, front counterclockwise to restore.

Turn the yellow cross into a fish pattern

The next goal is to make a fish pattern, meaning the top layer is missing three yellow stickers.

First, make sure the upper face of the top-left corner is yellow. With yellow facing up, use this formula:

down, right, up, right, down, right, right, up

If the top-left corner does not have yellow on top, then make sure the three stickers on the right side of that top-left corner are not yellow, and then perform the same formula.

Solve the yellow face

Once you have the fish pattern, place the fish head at the upper-left, with yellow facing up, and use the same formula again:

down, right, up, right, down, right, right, up

Result: the entire yellow top face is solved.

Align the top-layer side colors

With yellow facing up, look at the top row on the side faces. Find a face where the two end pieces of the row are the same color. Put that face at the bottom, facing the yellow side.

Then use this formula:

up, right, up, bottom 180 degrees, down, left, up, bottom 180 degrees, right 180 degrees

If there is no such case, place any face at the bottom facing yellow and perform the formula anyway.

Result: on the first side row, the two ends of the three stickers will match in color.

Restore the side faces

Keep yellow facing up and use this formula:

down, left, down, right, down, right, down, left, up, left, right 180 degrees

Result: the side faces become solved.

Final adjustment

If one side is already solved, hold that solved side facing you and perform the same formula again:

down, left, down, right, down, right, down, left, up, left, right 180 degrees

At that point, the cube should be fully restored.

A practical note for beginners

This method is easiest to approach as a learning routine rather than something to understand all at once. The bottom layer is the simplest and mainly relies on remembering one formula. The middle layer is also manageable, since it only requires two formulas. The top layer is the hardest part, because it involves five formulas and several different cases.

For most beginners, it is often easier to learn these steps by watching a video and following along move by move while practicing on the cube.