How to : How to Solve a 2×2 Rubik’s Cube

Use (U), (U’), or (U2) to move 3 white pieces to the bottom face. Start by finding a face that already has at least 1 white piece. Then, try 1 of these 3 algorithms until you create a bottom face with 3 white pieces.

Use (R U’ R’) or (R U R’) to place a white piece above the bottom face. If a white piece isn’t already on one of the faces on the top layer of the cube, try (R U’ R’) or (R U R’). One of these algorithms will move a white piece to the upper corner of one of the faces.^[2]

Perform the (R U R’), (U R U’ R), and (U R2 U’R2) algorithms. These 3 algorithms rotate all the white pieces. Repeat the sequence until the bottom face of the 2×2 Rubik’s cube has 4 white pieces.

• (R U R’)
  Moves 1 white piece from the top row of the right face down to the bottom face.
• (U R U’ R)
  Moves 1 white piece from the top row of the face across from you down to the bottom face.
• (U R2 U’R2)
  Moves 1 white piece from the bottom row of the topmost face all the way down to the bottom face.

View your 2×2 Rubik’s Cube from the top. Orient your cube so the white face you solved is at the bottom. Check for all the yellow corner pieces remaining.^[3]

If you only see 1 yellow corner on the top face, use 1 algorithm. Use (R U2)(R’ U’R’ U’R’) if you see 1 yellow piece in the right hand corner. If you see 1 yellow piece in the lower left hand corner, use (R U R’U)(R U2 R’).

If you see 0 yellow pieces or more than 1 yellow piece on the top face: Select 1 of 5 algorithms. Choose only one algorithm—select the right one based on the number of yellow corner pieces you see on the top face. Also check for where the other yellow pieces are on the cube. Use that specific algorithm to solve the yellow layer.

• (R U2) (R’ U’R U’R’) + (R U2) (R’ U’R U’R’)
  Use if you see: 0 yellow corner pieces on the top face. 2 yellow pieces on the top row of the face across from you. 2 yellow pieces on the top row of the face right in front of you.
• (R U2) (R’ U’R U’R’) + (U’) + (R U2) (R’ U’R U’R’)
  Use if you see: 0 yellow corner pieces on the top face. 1 yellow piece on the top row of the face across from you. 1 yellow piece on the top row of the face in front of you. 2 yellow pieces on the top row of the left face.
• (R U2) (R’ U’R U’R’) + (U’) + (R U R’U) (R U2 R’)
  Use if you see: 2 yellow pieces on the top face—1 on the upper left hand corner and 1 on the lower left hand corner. 2 yellow pieces on the top row of the right face.
• (R U2) (R’ U’R U’R’) + (U) + (R U R’U) (R U2 R’)
  Use if you see: 2 yellow pieces on the top face—1 on the lower left hand corner and 1 on the lower right hand corner. 1 yellow piece on the top row of the left side. 1 yellow piece on the top row of the right side.
• (R U2) (R’ U’R U’R’) + (U2) + (R U R’U) (R U2 R’)
  Use if you see: 2 yellow pieces on the top face—1 on the upper left hand corner and 1 on the lower right hand corner. 1 yellow piece on the top row of the face in front of you. 1 yellow piece on the top row of the right face.

Use (R’U)(L’U2)(RU’)(R’U2)(LR) on corner pieces with the same color. For example, start with 2 blue corner pieces, then move on to 2 orange corner pieces. Then, turn the cube upside down and perform (R’U)(L’U2)(RU’)(R’U2)(LR) until the cube is solved.^[4]