SolveRubik'sCube
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2x2 Pocket Cube Master Class

How to Solve a 2x2 Rubik's Cube

The 2x2 has 8 corner pieces and NO center or edge pieces! Follow our 3 simple steps.

Step 1: First Layer→Step 2: Orient Top (OLL)→Step 3: Permute Top (PLL)
1

Step 1: Solve the First Layer (White Corner Layer)

White stickers face DOWN with matching side colors
Step 1 of 3

Choose a white corner piece to start. Place another white corner piece above where it needs to go, matching the adjacent side color, then repeat the Righty Trigger (R U R' U'):

Recognize this trigger? It's the same corner algorithm used in the 3x3 cube!Review 3x3 Beginner Guide →
Righty Trigger
R U R' U'

The most fundamental 4-move sequence. Used to insert corners and permute edges.

2

Step 2: Orient the Top Layer (Make Yellow Face Up)

Turn all yellow stickers to face UP without worrying about side colors yet
Step 2 of 3

Check how many yellow corners are facing up. Use the Sune algorithm (R U R' U R U2 R') to flip them so all 4 yellow stickers face the top side:

OLL MoveBeginner

Sune (Orient Corners)

Swaps top yellow edges to align with side center colors.

RUR'URU2R'
OLL MoveBeginner

Anti-Sune (Orient Corners Counter-Clockwise)

The exact mirror of Sune for counter-clockwise corner orientation.

RU2R'U'RU'R'
3

Step 3: Permute the Top Layer (Solve the Cube!)

Swap corners into their final positions to complete the 2x2
Step 3 of 3
T-Perm (Swap Adjacent Corners)

Popular PLL formula that swaps adjacent corners and opposite edges.

(R U R' U') R' F R2 U' R' U' (R U R' F')
Y-Perm (Swap Diagonal Corners)

PLL formula that swaps two diagonally opposite corners.

F R U' R' U' R U R' F' (R U R' U') R' F R F'

Explore More Puzzles & Practice Tools

Step up your cubing journey with higher-order puzzles and timers.

The Classic 3x3 →

3x3 Beginner Guide

Ready for edges? Solve the world's most famous puzzle in 7 steps.

4x4 Revenge →

4x4 Reduction Guide

Conquer center building, edge pairing, and parity algorithms.

Speedcubing Timer →

WCA Practice Timer

Time your 2x2 solves with WCA inspection and session stats.

🎮 Interactive 3D Controls Guide

How to Use the Interactive 3D Cubes

Master mouse click gestures, mobile touch controls, and 360° 3D orbit dragging.

🖱️

Desktop Mouse Controls

  • •Click & Drag: Click and drag mouse anywhere on 3D cube to orbit 360°.
  • •Click Face: Click directly on any face sticker to execute a face turn!
  • •Move Buttons: Click R, L, U, D, F, B buttons to turn specific layers.
📱

Mobile Touch Gestures

  • •1-Finger Swipe: Swipe 1 finger across the screen to rotate 3D view.
  • •Tap Face: Tap on any face sticker or control button to turn layers.
  • •Smooth Inertia: Release swipe for smooth momentum rotation physics.
🔀

Scramble & Camera Reset

  • •🔀 Mix Button: Click Mix to execute a quick multi-move scramble.
  • •🎥 Reset Button: Reset 3D camera back to original viewing angle.
  • •Real-Time Colors: Sticker colors update live on every face turn.