Rubik’s Cube

Easy OLL for Beginners

This guide is for cubers who can already finish F2L and want a gentler path into OLL (Orientation of the Last Layer)—without jumping straight into all 57 cases.

You will use a 2-look style approach: first build the last-layer cross, then finish the face with seven essential patterns.

STEP 1: Make the last-layer cross

Your first OLL job is to orient the edges so the top face shows a cross. Tap a shape below to jump to its algorithm.

dot

line

l-shape

cross

1: Dot

No last-layer edges are oriented yet—only a center “dot” on top.

F ( U R U' R' ) F' → goes to Line

OLL-01 example

OLL-01 example

OLL-03 example

OLL-03 example

OLL-17 example

OLL-17 example

2: Line

Two opposite last-layer edges are oriented in a straight line; corners are not finished yet.

F ( R U' R' ) F'

OLL-33 example

OLL-33 example

OLL-34 example

OLL-34 example

OLL-57 example

OLL-57 example

OLL-51 example

OLL-51 example

3: L-shape

Two adjacent last-layer edges are oriented in an L. Think of a clock showing 9:00—that orientation is easy to remember.

F ( U R U' R' ) F'

OLL-10 example

OLL-10 example

OLL-31 example

OLL-31 example

OLL-38 example

OLL-38 example

OLL-49 example

OLL-49 example

4: Cross

All four last-layer edges are oriented. Corners may still be twisted.

F ( U R U' R' ) F'

OLL-21 example

OLL-21 example

OLL-23 example

OLL-23 example

OLL-25 example

OLL-25 example

OLL-26 example

OLL-26 example

If you already have a cross, skip this step and go straight to STEP 2.

STEP 2: Finish the last-layer face

Now orient the corners so the whole top face is solved. Master these seven patterns and your OLL will get much faster—even before you learn all 57 cases.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1: Anti-Sune (fish, left)

R' U' R U' ( R' U2 R )

2: Sune (fish, right)

L U L' U ( L U2 L' )

3: Cross — matching sides

R' U' R U' ( R' U R U' ) R' U2 R

4: Cross — no matching sides

R U2 R2' U' ( R2 U' R2' U2 ) R

5: T-shape (pointing down)

R2 D ( R' U2 R ) D' ( R' U2 R' )

6: T-shape (sideways)

Rw U R' U' ( Rw' F R F')

7: Two adjacent corners

x ( U R' U' L ) U R U' Rw'

Nice work—if the top face is fully oriented, OLL is done. Next up is PLL.

Next step: Master PLL

Permute the last layer

After OLL, finish with PLL—21 cases with diagrams and algorithms.

PLL — 21-Case Algorithm List (CFOP)

Visual menu of all last-layer permutations—jump to any PLL for primary algs, backups, and pattern photos to lock in recognition.

PLL — 21 Cases + Favorites (CFOP)

Scroll every PLL shape in one view, compare algorithms, and save the perms you are still learning—built for daily repetition before timed solves.

Related guides

OLL Trainer — All 57 Cases + Favorites

OLL Case Index — Browse All 57 Algorithms

Easy F2L for Beginners — Essential Starter Cases