2 Look CFOP

This is NOT a beginner method.

CFOP

CFOP is currently the fastest method in solving the 3 by 3. It is also used in the 3 by 3 part of bigger cubes. It is also called the Fredrich method. CFOP stands for the steps in the solve. Cross, F2L, OLL, and PLL. There are 119 algorithms and cases in advanced CFOP, but there is beginner CFOP that you can also learn. It has A LOT less algorithms and cases (This is teaching you beginners CFOP) . The beginner way is called 2 look CFOP. There are 15 algorithms in 2 look CFOP. Press HERE for a overview on beginner CFOP. (You can look around that website for other cool things). Or, you can look through the rest of this page. Fun fact! The fastest time to solve the cube with CFOP is 3.49 seconds!

Cross

F2L

OLL

PLL

Step 1: The Cross

Before First Cross

After First Cross

Cross

This is the first step in the CFOP method 2 look and 1 look. There is nothing different about 2 look and 1 look in this step. You solve the cross anyway that you can. (a quick tip: solve the cross holding it on the bottom) There are no algorithms in this step. If you practice for a while you will find a solution to make the cross in 8 moves. If you want to get faster and learn to solve the cross in eight moves press HERE

Step 2: F2L (First 2 Layers)

Before F2L

After F2L

F2L Overview

F2L stands for the first 2 layers. After you finish this step you will just have 1 layer remaining. This is basically one step that combines putting the first layer corners in and solving the 2nd layer (with the beginner method). You do this by making, what is called, F2L pairs. To make a F2L pair you mach up a certain edge piece with a corner piece and then insert it. For advanced F2L cases and algorithms go HERE. For beginner F2L, click that link and watch the video that shows up. That is called intuitive F2L. Or you can watch THIS video.

The F2L pair is on the top/twisted layer. It is with the white green orange corner, and the green orange edge. It still has to be inserted. Can you find it?

F2L Pairs

F2L pairs are two pieces, 1 edge and 1 corner, that are together. A picture of an F2L pair is shown. For advanced F2L, 41 algorithms and cases, you make the F2L pair and insert it with 1 algorithm. For beginner F2L (intuitive F2L), you make the two pieces in a certain position and then do a set a moves to make the pair. After you have made the pair you then insert it.

F2L Intiutive Positions

For intuitive F2L, there are 2 spots you put the corner and the edge piece in. (that corner and edge piece is for an F2L pair) After your pieces are in position, you will have one of the cases below. The position that your pieces should be in, are where, on a solved cube, the white blue red corner piece is, and where the white green edge piece is. That is, when your first cross is in the spot that the yellow side is in.

After Your Pieces Are In Position

After your pieces are in position, you are going to look where the white sticker is on the corner. That is, when solving from white to yellow. If you were solving from green to blue, you would look at where the green sticker is. If the white sticker is to the right or at you, you look at the colors of the top stickers on the corner and edge. If the white sticker on the corner is on top, you look at the stickers at you for the corner, and on top for the edge. When you look at the stickers, you are seeing if they are the same colors, or different colors. The 6 cases are shown below.

Step 3: OLL (Orientation of the last layer)

Before OLL

After OLL

OLL Overview

OLL stands for orientation of last layer. This means, when solving from white to yellow, making the entire last layer yellow stickers face up. (shown above) For beginner OLL, you make the yellow cross and then do an algorithm that twist all the corners. For advanced OLL, 1 look, you don't have to make the cross, you just do 1 algorithm. Beginner OLL has 7 algorithms (besides from cross algorithms), and advanced OLL has 57 algorithms. For advanced OLL algorithms and cases go: HERE. If you want to memorize the algorithms and have them written down for you, go to THIS page on this website. For beginner OLL algorithms and cases look below. If you don't get any of that and want to watch a video on beginner OLL, go HERE

Line

For this case, you hold the cube like shown and do the algorithm F, R, U, R', U', F'.

Angle (L)

For this case, you hold the cube like shown and do the algorithm f, R, U, R', U', f'. (a lowercase F or F' means to use 2 layers)

Dot

For this case, hold like shown and do the algorithm for the line, and then you will get the angle case. You do the angle algorithm once you have that case.

2 look OLL cases solving from white to yellow (face). In the examples below, the shaded parts are the yellow pieces.

Sune

This is the sune case.. You hold it like shown, with the part shown being on top. The, you perform this algorithm: R, U, R', U, R, U2', R'. As always, if you don't know what the letters mean, press HERE to go to the cube notations page.

Anti-Sune

This is the Anti-Sune case. You hold it like this with the part shown on top. Then, you perform this algorithm. L', U', L, U', L', U2, L. If you don't know the notations press HERE to go to the cube notations page.

H Case

If you get this case then you perform this algorithm. F, R, U, R', U', R, U, R', U', R, U, R', U', F'. If you don't know what the cube notations are, HERE to go to the cube notions page.

Pi Case

This is the Pi case. For this case you hold the cube like shown as if the part shown is facing up. Then, you do this algorithm: R, U2, R2, U', R2, U', R2, U2, R.

Bowtie Or L Case

For this case, you hold like shown (the part shown up) and do this algorithm: X, R', U, R, D', R', U', R, D. An X move is a full cube rotation. You don't turn any layers, you just move the hole cube in your hands. You make the face below you at you.

T Case

For this case, you hold the cube like shown with the part shown facing up. Then, you do this algorithm: X, L, U, R', U', L', U, R, U'. An X move is a full cube rotation. You don't turn any layers, you just move the hole cube in your hands. You make the face below you at you.

U Case

For this case, you hold the cube like shown with the part shown facing up. You then do this algorithm: R2, D, R', U2, R, D', R', U2, R'.

4th (last) Step: PLL (Permutation of Last Layer)

Before PLL

After PLL

PLL Overview

PLL stands for permutation, or placement, of the last layer. In this step you finish off the cube. For beginner PLL, there are only 4 cases. Beginner PLL has 2 steps. The first step is to put the corners in the right spot, and then you put the edges in the right spot using one of the PLL algorithms. Advanced PLL, or 1 look PLL, has 21 algorithms. For advanced PLL go: HERE

Beginner PLL cases and how to put the corners in the right spot. If you don't get it, go HERE

2 Correct Corners Next to Eachother

When to corners are correct and next to eachother, (you may have to rotate the cube for them to be correct) you hold them in the back and perform this algorithm: R', F, R', B2, R, F', R', B2, R2. Take note that in the picture the 2 correct corners are the white green corners. They are not held in the correct spot in the picture shown.

2 Correct Corners Opposite Eachother

When you have 2 correct corners opposite eachother, you do the same algorithm as when 2 corners are correct next to eachother. That will get you 2 correct corners next to eachother and you can do the things stated before.

Opposite swap

In this case you perform this algorithm: M2, U', M2, U2', M2, U', M2 to solve the cube. P.S. You hold the cube with yellow up when solving from white to yellow. A M move is the middle layer down, but because it is a M2, you do the middle layer down/up twice.

Diagonal Edge Swap

This is when you want to switch 2 edges not next to eachother. You hold it so that the part shown is up and that the 2 edges you want to swap are at you and on the left. Then you perform this algorithm: M', U, M2, U, M2, U, M', U2, M2, U'. Take note that all M2 can be up or down moves. Since it is a move twice, it doesn't matter which direction you do it in.

Counter-Clockwise Edge Cycle

This is the counter-clockwise edge cycle case. It is where there are 3 sides solved and the remaining yellow edges need to move in a counter-clockwise rotation. The red side does NOT need to be the solved side. This is just an example. You perform this algorithm: R, U', R, U, R, U, R, U', R', U', R2.

Clockwise Edge Cycle

This is the clockwise edge cycle case. It is where 3 of 6 sides are solved. and the last 3 edges need to be cycled in a clockwise rotation. You hold the edge that is already in the right spot in the back and do this algorithm: R2, U, R, U, R', U', R', U', R', U, R'.

2 Look OLL and PLL Alternative Algorithms

Press HERE for a link to the video.

CFOP Quiz

Do you think you have mastered CFOP and read the page carefully? If you have, press HERE for a quiz on CFOP. At the end, if you want to see your score, press view score and it will tell you if you got it correct!

MORE THAN CFOP

If you have memorized full F2L, OLL, and PLL, you can learn COLL and Winter's Variation. COLL is with 2 look OLL cases. For COLL, you do an algorithm that makes OLL solved and the corners are in the right spot. To learn COLL, go HERE . Winter's variation, is when you are going to insert your last F2L pair but you do some extra moves to solve OLL. To learn Winter's Variation, go HERE.

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