A solved white layer, with the bottom row on each side matching its centre.
White down, yellow up. Face the centre that matches the selected edge’s side sticker.
1. Find an edge that belongs in the middle
Look for a top-layer edge with no yellow. The white edges are already solved in the bottom layer, so this edge has two side colours. Leave the yellow edges alone for now.
Turn U until the edge’s side sticker matches a side centre. Rotate the whole cube sideways to bring that centre to the front. The edge is now at top-front, forming a vertical line of the same colour on F.
2. Decide left or right
Look at the sticker facing up on that edge. If its colour matches the right centre, use the right-hand insertion. If it matches the left centre, use the left-hand insertion. Use the centre colours to decide, regardless of where the piece appears on screen.
| Destination | Full insertion sequence |
|---|---|
| Front-right | U R U' R' U' F' U F |
| Front-left | U' L' U L U F U' F' |
Keep the same face at the front for all eight moves. The first part opens the slot. The second restores the white corner as it inserts the edge.
3. Check and repeat
The inserted edge should match both neighbouring centres. The white layer should be restored. Choose another top edge without yellow, line it up and insert it.
The two worked examples below show the right and left cases separately. Match the relationship between colours, even if the colours on your front face differ from those in the examples.
4. Eject an edge that is stuck or flipped
If a middle-layer edge is out of place or flipped, put its slot at the front right. Use the right-hand insertion with any top edge, even one with yellow. This pushes the incorrect edge into the top layer. Find it, line up its side sticker with the matching centre and use the appropriate insertion to put it back.
If the middle layer is unfinished and there are no suitable edges left on top, an edge is stuck in the middle layer. Use the same recovery step to keep the solved layer intact.
Need a reminder of the move notation?
R right · L left · U top · D bottom · F front · B back. A letter on its own 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 at the front throughout the algorithm.
Watch, then try
Work through an example
Start by stepping through one move at a time. This prepared example shows a specific action. Use the lesson’s setup instructions to recognise when to use it on your own scramble.
Watch one worked example
The top-front edge’s side colour matches F and its top colour matches R. Watch the right-hand insertion move the edge into FR and restore the white corner.
Example grip: Start with yellow on top, blue at the front and red on the right. Follow any written instructions for rotating the whole cube.
0 / 8
Loading 3D cube…
Starting position set · 0 / 8 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 keyboard focus.
Copy this exact example on your own cube
Start with a solved 3×3, with yellow on top and blue at the front. Apply the setup moves below from left to right to create the example’s starting position. Keep this example separate from the scramble you are solving throughout the course.
F' U' F U R U R' U'Then follow the lesson sequence. If your cube has a different colour scheme, use the relationships between your own colours to identify the equivalent pieces.
Compare the starting position and the result
Drag each cube to inspect its other faces.
Another case: Insert to the left
Insert to the left
The top-front edge’s top colour matches L. The left-hand insertion moves the edge into FL and restores the white layer.
Example grip: Start with yellow on top, blue at the front and red on the right. Follow any written instructions for rotating the whole cube.
0 / 8
Loading 3D cube…
Starting position set · 0 / 8 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 keyboard focus.
Copy this exact example on your own cube
Start with a solved 3×3, with yellow on top and blue at the front. Apply the setup moves below from left to right to create the example’s starting position. Keep this example separate from the scramble you are solving throughout the course.
F U F' U' L' U' L UThen follow the lesson sequence. If your cube has a different colour scheme, use the relationships between your own colours to identify the equivalent pieces.
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
Insert each edge without yellow using the left-hand or right-hand insertion. If all the top edges have yellow and the middle layer is still unsolved, eject an edge that’s out of place or flipped and reinsert it.
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 assess your result.
If you get stuck
The edge went into the correct slot but is flipped.
Use the right-hand insertion to eject the edge. With the edge back in the top layer, line up its side sticker with the matching centre, then use its top colour to choose the insertion.
Only yellow edges remain on top.
Check the middle layer. If it’s still unsolved, use the recovery step to eject one of the edges that’s out of place or flipped.
Before moving on
Check your result
Your cube at this stage
The first two layers solved
The bottom two rows of every side match. Only the top layer remains to be solved.
Confirm these on your cube. Watching the animation alone does not complete the lesson.
Tick each item once you can do it yourself.