How to Solve a 2×2 Rubik's Cube

Have you ever tried to solve a Rubik's cube? Well if so you know that it’s hard. When I was learning I would go and google how to solve a 2×2 Rubik's cube. If you have ever done the same you know that the videos are not very helpful and that they waste so much time. That is why I made this instructable! I will now explain how to solve a 2×2 Rubik's cube step by step in detail. Hope it works for you and you enjoy it. Have fun!

A 2×2 rubik's cube, Paper, Pencil, A hard surface

Before we start anything you need to know a bit about the Rubik's cube. The Rubik's cube has six different sides and colours, it has a total of eight corner blocks with three colours on each side adding up to twenty four coloured squares. A traditional cube has these six colours Red,Orange,Yellow,Green,Blue and White. Parts of the cube you need to know it has a top layer, a bottom layer, top, bottom,front side and a back side. I will be using a traditional 2×2 Rubik's cube.

First make sure all of the supplies is near and your cube is scrambled. To scramble your cube twist and turn it. You can also ask someone to scramble the cube for you. Now that your cube is scrambled you can start to solve it.

Start by finding the four white squares you will need. You will have to do this one part on your own. Make a L shape as shown in the picture. Your L will need any two white squares on the left side and one on the top right. Then once you have made the L you are going to put the last remaining white square on the second layer bottom right hand corner. If you don’t quite know where I am talking about, put your finger on the one white square on the top right hand corner and move it down three squares not counting the one your finger is on. You should also have one block in between these two squares.

Once you have that piece in the second layer bottom right hand corner you are going to do this algorithm. Grab your paper and pencil and write this down if you want it helps a lot especially if you draw arrows showing the direction you need to move. The algorithm is right inverted, down, right, down inverted. R’,D,R,D’. Here is how each one needs to move: right inverted is the right side down, down is the bottom layer left, right is the right side up, down inverted is the bottom layer right. You should only have to do it one time. If it does not solve the white side right away don’t worry. Keep doing the algorithm until you have got it.

Hopefully you managed to solve the white top. The next step is to solve the top layer. If all four sides of the top layer now have a colour your top layer is already solved and you can skip this step. If your top layer is solved then it should have two reds, two greens, two oranges and two blues on each side. If your top layer is not solved then you are going to check your cube and see if you have any two squares matching colours side by side. If you have a pair face them away from your body. If you have no pairs don’t worry. The algorithm for this is right inverted, down, right, left inverted, down inverted, left, right inverted, down, right. R’,D,R,L’,D’,L,R’,D,R. Here is how each one moves: right inverted is right side down, down is bottom layer left, right is right side up, left inverted is left side down, down inverted is bottom layer right , left is left side up, right inverted is right side down, down is bottom layer left, right is right side up.

Then once you are done the top and first layer you can move on to solving the bottom.

You are going to take your cube and flip it upside down so the white side is facing your hard surface.The yellow is now on the top of your cube. Next you are going to check and see if you have any yellow squares on the top. If you have one rotate your square so you have it in the bottom left hand corner. If you have two diagonal of each other do the same thing just pick which one you want to use. If you don’t have any yellow that is fine you might just have to do the algorithm a few more times. Then if you have two lined up side by side move them to the right. After you have placed your yellow to where it needs to be do this algorithm. Right, top, right inverted, top, right, top ×2, right. R,U,R’,U,R,U ×2,R’. Here is how each one moves: Right is right side up, top is top layer left, right inverted is right side down, top is top layer left, right is right side up, top is top layer left ×2, right is right side down. You will need to do this algorithm a few times. Each time make sure you place any yellow squares where they need to be.

Finally once you have finished solving the bottom yellow side you can do this algorithm and finish solving your rubik's cube. Make sure the yellow side is still face up. Match any pairs you have so you have a solved side. If you do have a side solved face it away from you if you don’t have any sides solved than hold it how ever you may like. Right inverted, front, right inverted, back inverted ×2, right, front inverted, right, back inverted ×2, right ×2, back inverted ×2. R’,F,R’,B’,R,F’,R,B’,R,B’. Here is how each move is done: Right inverted is right side down, front is the side facing you turned right, right inverted is right side down, back inverted is back side turned left ×2, right is right side up , front inverted is front side left, right is right side up, back inverted is back side left ×2, right is right side up ×2, back inverted is back side left ×2.

Congratulations you have hopefully solved your 2×2 Rubik's cube!!!

I hope you liked this instructable and were able to solve your 2×2 Rubik's cube. Please leave any suggestions or tips you have for me and tell me if this worked for you. Remember if it doesn’t solve right away try the algorithms again and make sure you are doing the moves correctly.