0The CFOP method is the most popular way to solve a 3×3 Rubik’s Cube quickly, used by top speedcubers like Feliks Zemdegs. CFOP stands for Cross, First Two Layers (F2L), Orientation of the Last Layer (OLL), and Permutation of the Last Layer (PLL). These four stages take you from a scrambled cube to a solved one efficiently.
You begin with the Cross, where you solve four edge pieces to form a plus shape on one face (usually white). Each edge must match both the center on the top and the center on the side. As you improve, you should aim to plan your entire cross before you start solving and complete it in as few moves as possible, ideally solving it on the bottom layer to save time.
Next comes F2L (First Two Layers), where you solve the first two layers at the same time instead of separately. This is done by pairing a corner piece with its matching edge piece and inserting them together into the correct slot. Rather than memorizing many algorithms at first, it’s best to understand how pieces move and learn to pair them intuitively. As you practice, try not to pause between pairs—this skill, called lookahead, is key to becoming faster.
After the first two layers are complete, you move to OLL (Orientation of the Last Layer). In this step, your goal is to make the entire top face one color (usually yellow). This does not change the position of pieces, only their orientation. While there are 57 possible cases in full OLL, beginners usually learn a simpler version called 2-look OLL, which completes the step in two stages.
Finally, you finish with PLL (Permutation of the Last Layer). Here, you move the last layer pieces into their correct positions without changing their orientation. There are 21 PLL cases in total, but beginners often start with 2-look PLL, solving corners first and then edges.
Putting it all together, a full CFOP solve follows this flow: build the cross, complete the four F2L pairs, orient the last layer to form a solid color, and then permute the last layer to finish the cube.
To improve at CFOP, focus on efficiency rather than turning fast. Try to reduce unnecessary moves, practice smooth transitions between steps, and develop lookahead, so you always know what to do next. Over time, you can learn more advanced algorithms and finger tricks to increase your speed.
