The top is yellow, the first two layers are solved, and top corners are aligned.
Keep yellow up. Rotate the whole cube to put the completely solved side at the back.
1. Separate corner and edge recognition
PLL means permuting the last layer, which moves oriented pieces into their correct positions. This lesson gives you practice with the three-edge cycle from the beginner course and focuses on that part of PLL.
Check the two top corner stickers on every side. They must match their side centre. If they do not, complete corner positioning first.
2. Find the fixed edge
One side should be completely solved. Rotate the whole cube sideways to put that side at the back. The other three top edges need to cycle through the remaining positions. Turning U here would move the aligned corners, so keep the layers in place as you regrip.
Before turning, name where each edge belongs using its side colour. This trains recognition beyond merely counting wrong stickers.
3. Execute and inspect the cycle
R U' R U R U R U' R' U' R2
In the prepared case, one application solves the edges. In the opposite cycle direction, two applications of the same sequence solve them. Keep the same back side for the second application.
If no side is solved, one application creates a solved side. Regrip to put it at the back, then continue with one or two cycles. This is a different starting case, so check the cube between applications.
4. Practise recognition before building speed
Copy the prepared setup on a solved cube and name the three destinations before turning. Repeat with the algorithm itself as your setup to create the opposite cycle direction.
When you recognize the cycle consistently, reduce pauses inside the sequence. Add new PLL cases gradually through a dedicated reference such as J Perm’s beginner PLL collection.
Need a reminder of the move notation?
R right · L left · U top · D bottom · F front · B back. A plain letter means a 90° clockwise turn as you look directly at that face. An apostrophe (′) reverses the direction. A 2 means a 180° turn. Keep the same face toward you throughout the algorithm.
Watch, then try
Work through an example
Start by going through the example one move at a time. It shows a specific action from a prepared position. Use the lesson’s setup instructions to recognize when that action applies to your own scramble.
Watch one worked example
Track the three moving edge pieces and the back edge that stays put. This is a recognition drill for the same cycle used at the end of the beginner method.
Example grip: yellow up · blue front · red right at the start. Follow any written whole-cube rotations.
0 / 11
Loading 3D cube…
Prepared position · 0 / 11 moves
Use Next move to follow the sequence.
Drag to inspect other faces. Use the arrow keys to rotate the view when the cube has focus.
Copy this exact example on your own cube
Start with a solved 3×3 with yellow on top and blue in front. Follow the setup moves below from left to right to create the example’s starting position. Keep this example separate from the scramble you’re solving throughout the course.
R2 U R U R' U' R' U' R' U R'Then follow the lesson sequence. If your cube’s colour scheme differs, match the piece relationships using your own colours.
Compare the starting position and the result
Drag each cube to inspect its other faces.
Explain it to yourself
Check your understanding
Now use your own cube
Your turn
Identify the solved side and name the three misplaced top edges before playing the example. Then solve the opposite cycle by applying the same sequence twice.
Open a 3×3 Digital Cube for practiceOpens in a new tab so you can keep this lesson open while you practise. Check for yourself whether you’ve met the lesson goal. The Digital Cube doesn’t grade your work.
If you get stuck
I cannot find a solved side.
Check the corner alignment first. Once the corners are aligned, perform one edge cycle. Find the side it solves and put that side at the back before continuing.
Before moving on
Check your result
Your cube at this stage
All six faces solved
Every face is one colour. Check the back and bottom as well as the faces you can see here.
Confirm these on your cube. Watching the animation alone does not complete the lesson.
Check off each item once you can do it yourself.