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Algorithm reference

Numbered in learning order — start at #1 and work down. Tap any card for details.

• 3x3 · Basics

  #1

  The Trigger

  R U R' U'

• 3x3 · Basics

  #2

  Sledgehammer

  R' F R F'

• 3x3 · OLL

  #3

  Line (edges)

  F R U R' U' F'

• 3x3 · OLL

  #4

  L-shape (edges)

  f R U R' U' f'

• 3x3 · OLL

  #5

  Sune

  R U R' U R U2 R'

• 3x3 · OLL

  #6

  Anti-Sune

  R U2 R' U' R U' R'

• 3x3 · OLL

  #7

  H (Double Sune)

  R U R' U R U' R' U R U2 R'

• 3x3 · OLL

  #8

  T

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

• 3x3 · OLL

  #9

  Pi

  R U2 R2 U' R2 U' R2 U2 R

• 3x3 · OLL

  #10

  Headlights (U)

  R2 D R' U2 R D' R' U2 R'

• 3x3 · OLL

  #11

  Bowtie (L)

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

• 3x3 · PLL

  #12

  T-Perm

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

• 3x3 · PLL

  #13

  Y-Perm

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

• 3x3 · PLL

  #14

  Ua-Perm

  M2 U M U2 M' U M2

• 3x3 · PLL

  #15

  Ub-Perm

  M2 U' M U2 M' U' M2

• 3x3 · PLL

  #16

  H-Perm

  M2 U M2 U2 M2 U M2

• 3x3 · PLL

  #17

  Z-Perm

  M' U M2 U M2 U M' U2 M2

• 3x3 · PLL

  #18

  Jb-Perm

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

• 3x3 · PLL

  #19

  Aa-Perm

  x R' U R' D2 R U' R' D2 R2 x'

Cube collection

• 2x2
• 3x3
• 4x4
• Megaminx
• Pyraminx
• Skewb
• Square-1
• Ivy Cube

The path — first solve to competition

1. 1

   Solve it once

   Beginner layer-by-layer method: white cross, first-layer corners, middle edges, then the last layer step by step. Follow one tutorial all the way — don't mix methods yet.

   Practice: 20 min: one solve at a time with the guide open. Finishing matters; speed doesn't exist yet.

   Ready when: You can finish the cube with the guide open next to you.

   Toolbox:The tutorial — J Perm's beginner guide ↗
2. 2

   Solve it from memory

   Cube notation (R, U, F and the primes), plus the beginner last layer by heart. Start turning with fingers, not wrists.

   Practice: 15 min/day: 3 solves from memory, then 5 minutes of notation drills — read an algorithm and execute it without watching your hands.

   Ready when: No notes, every time, under about 2 minutes.

   Toolbox:Your tutorial's beginner last layerNotation reference ↗
3. 3

   4-look last layer

   2-look OLL and 2-look PLL — about 10 algorithms total, most of them in the reference above. This is where the Algorithm Reference section becomes your toolbox.

   Practice: 20 min/day: 5 min slow-drilling this week's 2 new algorithms, then 8–10 timed solves in csTimer. Log the ao5 — that's the number that goes on this site.

   Ready when: Last layer never takes more than 4 algorithms. Around sub-1 minute.

   Toolbox:OLL — all 9 cases here ↗PLL — T & Y first, then U/H/Z ↗
4. 4

   Intuitive F2L

   Pair up corner + edge and insert them together instead of solving layers separately. Times get WORSE for a week or two — that's normal and everyone goes through it.

   Practice: 20 min/day for 2–3 weeks: 10 untimed solves watching only F2L pairs, then 5 timed. The timer looks worse before it looks better — hold the line.

   Ready when: F2L without thinking hard. Solves around 30–45 seconds.

   Toolbox:Basics — Trigger & Sledgehammer ↗F2L — full guide ↗
5. 5

   Full PLL, then full OLL

   All 21 PLLs first (they repay fastest), then the 57 OLLs a few per week. Track which ones you own — this is a months-long stage and that's fine.

   Practice: 25 min/day: 5 min new-alg drill, 5 min reviewing every PLL you own, 12 timed solves. One new PLL a week is on pace; two is fast.

   Ready when: Every last layer is exactly 2 algorithms. Sub-20 territory.

   Toolbox:The 8 PLLs here ↗All 21 PLLs ↗All 57 OLLs ↗
6. 6

   Look-ahead & efficiency

   Slow solves where your eyes track the NEXT pair while hands solve this one. Cross on bottom, planned in inspection. Timed averages (ao5, ao12), not just singles.

   Practice: 25 min/day: 10 slow solves (turn at half speed, never stop moving), then 2 timed ao5s. Weekly: one ao12 — that's your real speed.

   Ready when: Solving smoothly without pauses matters more than any single fast time.

   Toolbox:No new algorithms — drills
7. 7

   Compete

   WCA competition rules: 15-second inspection, stackmat timer, +2 and DNF penalties. Do practice solves under official conditions. Then find a nearby WCA competition and sign up.

   Practice: Twice a week, full comp simulation: 15-second inspection, 5 consecutive solves, no redos, stackmat if you have one. The daily block stays the same.

   Ready when: First comp goal is official times on the board and having fun — PBs come at the second one.

   Toolbox:No algorithms — regulations & nerves
8. 8

   Championship tier

   After your first comps: advanced F2L cases, cross+1 planning in inspection, PLL prediction during OLL, and selective COLL/ZBLL. Above all, structured practice — drill blocks, ao100 tracking, attacking your statistically worst cases.

   Practice: Blocks with a purpose: each week pick your statistically worst case set and drill only that. Track ao100. Volume plus targeting beats either alone.

   Ready when: You train weaknesses on purpose, not just solve for fun. Podiums follow volume.

   Toolbox:COLL ↗ZBLL ↗

Compete — your first competition

1. 1

   Get a WCA account

   A parent creates it at worldcubeassociation.org. That account is your permanent competition identity — your WCA ID arrives automatically at your first comp.

2. 2

   Find a competition

   Watch the WCA competitions page and CubingUSA for events within driving distance. Local comps are announced weeks to months ahead.

3. 3

   Register the day it opens

   Popular comps hit their competitor cap within hours. Know the registration-open date and sign up that day. Fees usually run $15–35.

4. 4

   Pick friendly first events

   2x2, 3x3 and Pyraminx are the classic first-comp trio — short solves, big fields, low pressure. Enter what you can finish, not what you can win.

5. 5

   Know the flow

   15-second inspection · stackmat timer · +2 if the cube is one turn from solved when time stops, DNF beyond that · and everyone takes a turn judging — it's easy and they teach you on the spot.

6. 6

   Set the right goal

   Comp #1 is for official times on the board and having fun. PBs come at comp #2, when the nerves are gone.

Personal bests

Personal bests coming soon.