The 2x2 Rubik's Cube, also called the pocket cube, is like the classic Rubik's Cube but without edges or centers: it only has the 8 corners. That is why it can be solved in just 3 steps, with very few moves to learn. If you already know how to solve the 3x3 Rubik's Cube, the first step will look familiar: it is step 2 of the 3x3.
- First layer: the four yellow corners, with matching sides.
- Top face: twist the top corners until the whole top face is white.
- Corners in place: and the cube is solved.
The pictures show the moves one by one, without notation: the layer that turns is light blue and the arrow shows the direction. We use the usual colors (white opposite yellow, red opposite orange and blue opposite green); if your cube has different ones, follow the steps with yours.
Step 1: First layer
We start with the yellow face. But putting the four yellow stickers together is not enough: the colors on the sides must match too, making the first layer.
Since the 2x2 has no centers, the first yellow corner can go anywhere, and the others are placed around it. Each corner has three colors: yellow and two more. It goes in the spot where the sides with those two colors meet. Each side takes the color of the yellow corner it already has; the side opposite it, the opposite color. For example, if the first corner is yellow, red and green, the yellow-red-blue corner goes next to it, with its red on the same side as the first one's red, and the yellow-orange-blue corner, which has no color in common with it, goes in the opposite spot.
Place the corners one by one, repeating this for each of them (the first one too):
- Hold the cube with the yellow face on top.
- Look in the bottom layer for a corner with yellow on it. Pay attention to its three colors. If there isn't any, go to "There is no yellow corner in the bottom layer".
- Turn the bottom layer until the corner is right under its spot. The first one can be under any spot.
- Apply one of these cases:
Case 1: Yellow looking to the left
Case 2: Yellow looking to the right
Case 3: Yellow looking down
There is no yellow corner in the bottom layer
If there is no yellow corner in the bottom layer and you haven't finished the first layer yet, one of them is on top but in the wrong spot or twisted. Take it down to the bottom layer with one of the first two cases, and then place it with the case you get.
What does "+ Repeat Step 1" mean?
Do the moves in the picture first. They don't place the corner, but they leave it in another case that can be solved with a single sequence of moves.
Do the same with each corner until you have the first layer: the yellow face and, on each side, two stickers of the same color.
Step 2: Top face
Turn the cube over: first layer at the bottom and white face on top. Now we'll twist the top corners until the whole top face is white, even if the corners are not in their places yet. You always do the same 7 moves, the ones in case 1: the only thing that changes is how you hold the cube before doing them.
- Count how many corners have white on top: one, none or two.
- Turn the top face until the cube looks like your case. Look above all at the front left corner.
- Do the moves of case 1. If the top face is not all white yet, start step 2 again: you will have a different case.
Case 1: One white on top (a)
The corner with white on top, at the front left. The front right corner has its white looking to the front.
Case 2: One white on top (b)
The corner with white on top, at the front left. The front right corner has its white looking to the right.
Case 3: No white on top
The front left corner has its white looking to the left. You can't see it in the picture: it is the front left corner that has white neither on top nor at the front.
Case 4: Two whites on top
The front left corner has its white looking to the front. The two whites on top can be next to each other or diagonal.
What does "+ Repeat Step 2" mean?
Do the moves of case 1 with the cube held as in the picture. They don't finish the top face, but they leave you in another case closer to the end: at most, you'll do the moves three times.
When the top face is all white, the sides of the top layer won't match yet: that is the last step.
Step 3: Corners in place
All that's left is to place the top corners, which are twisted correctly but may be in the wrong spots. Look at the four sides of the top layer (you can turn the whole cube, always with white on top) and find a side whose two top stickers are the same color:
- If all four sides have them, turn the top face until they match the first layer. Cube solved!
- If one side has them, put it at the front and apply case 1. Then turn the top face until it matches the first layer.
- If no side has them, do the same moves from any side (case 2). Afterwards there will be a side with two equal stickers: start step 3 again.
Case 1: Two equal stickers at the front
Case 2: No side with two equal stickers
If you've made it this far, you have solved the 2x2 Rubik's Cube. Congratulations!
Frequently Asked Questions
I have three whites on top and the fourth corner is twisted
The cube can't be solved like that: someone has twisted a corner by hand or put it back wrong. See how to fix an unsolvable Rubik's Cube.
I already know how to solve the 3x3. Can I use its steps?
Yes: the 2x2 can also be solved with steps 2, 6 and 7 of the 3x3. But here steps 2 and 3 take fewer moves in total, don't break the first layer and, since the 2x2 has no centers, it is easier to see the top face first and then whether each corner is in its place.
What's next?
- Learn how to solve the 3x3 Rubik's Cube in 7 steps.
- Time yourself with our timer, which has official scrambles for the 2x2.
- If you want a faster 2x2, have a look at the 2x2 cubes we recommend.