How to solve a 2x2x2 Rubik's Cube in 4 easy steps
(1) Create a Whole Side of White --> (2) Complete First Layer --> (3) Create a Whole Side of Yellow --> (4) Complete the Last Layer
Intro to 2x2
Before learning how to solve a 2x2x2 Rubik’s Cube, a puzzle with 3,674,160 combinations, it is a great idea to be familiar with a few basics of the puzzle.
- A 2x2x2 cube is just like a regular Rubik’s Cube, but with the centre and edge pieces hidden. Instead, the puzzle only consists of 8 different corner pieces.
- Opposite the white side will always be the yellow side, opposite the red side is always orange, and opposite green is always blue.
- Instead of solving the puzzle one side at a time, you will solve the pieces layer by layer.
Well done for understanding some basics of the 2x2x2 puzzle. We’re now going to learn the easiest step-by-step method on how to correctly match all six sides on the mini Rubik’s Cube.
Step 1 - Create a Whole Side of White
The first step for solving a 2×2 Rubik’s Cube is to create a whole side of White.
This step is extremely intuitive, so you should be fine with a little bit of trial and error and playing around with the puzzle.
Here are a couple of examples of how to insert corner pieces into the white side:
Example 1)
When positioning the cube with the corner piece underneath where it needs to go, rotate the bottom layer to move the corner out the way.
Bring the right side down.
Match it up.
Bring the right layer back up to complete this corner piece.
Example 2)
When positioning the cube with the corner piece underneath where it needs to go, rotate the bottom layer to move the corner out of the way.
Bring the left side down.
Match it up.
Bring the left side back up to complete this corner piece.
Step 2 - Complete First Layer
The 2nd step for solving a 2x2x2 Rubik’s Cube is to turn the whole side of white into a completed layer, so that all four first-layer corner pieces are located in their correct place.
Once you’ve solved your whole side of white, you might encounter one of these problems:
Problem 1)
Two adjacent corners need to be swapped.
Solution: Take an unsolved corner piece out.
Place that corner into its correct position, which takes out the other unsolved corner.
Insert the final corner piece into its correct position get get a solved layer!
Problem 2)
Two diagonal corners need to be swapped.
Solution: Take out one of the unsolved corner pieces.
Place that corner into its correct position, which takes out the other unsolved corner.
Insert the final corner piece into its correct position to get a solved layer!
Step 3 - Create a Whole Side of Yellow
The 3rd step for solving a 2x2x2 Rubik’s Cube is to make a whole side of yellow.
To begin, cube rotate the puzzle so that the white side is on the bottom.
Corner Orientation Sequence: Take the front-right corner piece out with R (turns the the right side up), U (turns the top layer to the left), R’ (turns the right side down) –> Rotate the top layer to the left with a U move –> Insert the corner piece back in with R (turns the right side up), U2 (turns the top layer twice), R’ (turns the right side back down again).
Your cube can show one of these three types of cases, labelled A, B, and C:
Case A
Two diagonal yellow corners are oriented, or zero yellow corners are facing up:
Perform the Corner Orientation Sequence: Take the front-right corner piece out with R (turns the the right side up), U (turns the top layer to the left), R’ (turns the right side down) –> Rotate the top layer to the left with a U move –> Insert the corner piece back in with R (turns the right side up), U2 (turns the top layer twice), R’ (turns the right side back down again).
After implementing the corner orienting sequence once, your cube will either show case A, case B, or case C.
Case B
Two adjacent yellow corners are oriented:
Position your cube with the two yellow corner pieces on the right.
Perform the Corner Orientation Sequence: Take the front-right corner piece out with R (turns the the right side up), U (turns the top layer to the left), R’ (turns the right side down) –> Rotate the top layer to the left with a U move –> Insert the corner piece back in with R (turns the right side up), U2 (turns the top layer twice), R’ (turns the right side back down again).
After implementing the corner orienting sequence once, your cube will either show case A or case C.
Case C
One yellow corner piece is oriented:
Position your cube with the oriented yellow corner piece on the front left.
Perform the Corner Orientation Sequence: Take the front-right corner piece out with R (turns the the right side up), U (turns the top layer to the left), R’ (turns the right side down) –> Rotate the top layer to the left with a U move –> Insert the corner piece back in with R (turns the right side up), U2 (turns the top layer twice), R’ (turns the right side back down again).
After implementing the corner orienting sequence once, you’ll either need to repeat case C once more, or your cube will contain a whole side of yellow!
Step 4 - Complete Last Layer
The 4th and final step for solving a 2x2x2 Rubik’s Cube is to swap around a couple of pieces in the top layer to complete the puzzle.
Corner Permutation Sequence: Push the right side down R’, front side goes clockwise F, push the right side down again R’, back twice B2, pull the right side up R, front side goes anticlockwise F’, push the right side down once more R’, front twice F2, right twice R2.
Firstly, check if there’s a side that contains two corner pieces of the same matching colours:
Case 1:
If zero sides contain adjacent matching corners on the yellow side, perform the corner permutation sequence to solve two yellow pieces.
Perform the Corner Permutation Sequence: Push the right side down R’, front side goes clockwise F, push the right side down again R’, back twice B2, pull the right side up R, front side goes anticlockwise F’, push the right side down once more R’, front twice F2, right twice R2.
Your puzzle should now show case 2.
Case 2:
If only one side has solved corners, match them up to create a third whole side. Position your cube with that new whole side on the back to perform the easy corner permutation sequence.
Corner Permutation Sequence: Push the right side down R’, front side goes clockwise F, push the right side down again R’, back twice B2, pull the right side up R, front side goes anticlockwise F’, push the right side down once more R’, front twice F2, right twice R2.
Congratulations on completing all six sides of the 2×2 Rubik’s Cube!
The 2x2 is solved!
Jump to step: