Rubik's Cube Terms & Notation

Learn the language of twisty puzzles to solve your cube efficiently

General Terms for how to Solve a Rubik's Cube.

Introduction

This page introduces the fundamental terminology and notation used in Rubik's Cube solving. Understanding these terms is essential to follow tutorials and improve your solving speed.

Basic Notation

Rubik's Cube moves are denoted using letters representing the six faces of the cube with your view as the refrence point (how you are holding the cube):

Color Faces
Colored diagram for easy understanding
Colorless Diagram
Each face has a notation to specify what layer and direction you are turning (see below)

Move Types

Each move can be performed in three ways:

Cube Faces Diagram
This is an example of how you turn layers.

Cube Pieces

The Rubik's Cube has three types of pieces that make up the cube:

Cube Pieces
Illustration of center, edge, and corner pieces

Algorithms

Algorithms are sequences of moves designed to move certain pieces without disturbing others. Example of a simple algorithm: R U R' U'. These sequences are the building blocks for solving the cube step by step.

Algorithm Example Diagram
This Algorithm only rotates the yellow layer edges to swap with one another.

This terms page is intended for beginners. Each section can be expanded with additional images, GIFs, or interactive diagrams to make learning more visual. Additionally, please see the How to Solve A Cube page for more infomation.