The top is yellow, the first two layers are solved and the top corners are aligned.
Keep yellow up. Rotate the whole cube to put the completely solved side at the back.
1. Check corners and edges separately
PLL means permuting the last layer, or moving pieces that are already oriented into their correct positions. This lesson lets you practise the three-edge cycle from the beginner course and focuses on that PLL case alone.
Check that both top corner stickers on each side match that side’s centre. If any are out of place, 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. A U turn would move the aligned corners, so keep the layers in place as you regrip.
Before turning, use each edge’s side colour to say where it belongs. This helps you recognise the case by tracking the edges as well as spotting mismatched stickers.
3. Perform the cycle and check the result
R U' R U R U R U' R' U' R2
In the prepared case, the sequence solves the edges in one application. If the cycle goes the other way, apply the same sequence twice. Keep the same face at the back for the second application.
If no side is solved, perform the sequence once to solve a side. Regrip to put that side 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 working on speed
Recreate the setup on a solved cube and name the three destinations before turning. To create the cycle in the opposite direction, repeat the exercise using the algorithm itself to set up the cube.
Once you recognise the cycle consistently, shorten the pauses between moves. Learn new PLL cases gradually using 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 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
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: Start with yellow on top, blue at the front and red on the right. Follow any written instructions for rotating the whole cube.
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 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.
R2 U R U R' U' R' U' R' U R'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.
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 assess your result.
If you get stuck
I cannot find a solved side.
Check that the corners are aligned first. Once they’re correct, 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.
Tick each item once you can do it yourself.