Put the yellow corners in order — 2×2 Beginner

Before you start

The white and yellow faces each show a single colour, and the white layer has matching side pairs.

How to hold your cube

Keep yellow on top. Align a matching top pair above its bottom pair, then rotate the whole cube sideways so that side is on your left.

1. Look at the top pair on each side

Because every piece is a corner, the two top stickers on a side form the pair you need to compare.

If all four pairs match, turn U to align them with the bottom pairs. The cube is solved.
If there is one matching pair, turn U to place it above the bottom pair of the same colour. Then rotate the whole cube sideways so the solved side is on your left.
If there is no matching pair, perform the sequence below once with any face at the front. This creates a matching pair. Set it up as described above before repeating the sequence.

2. Swap the two corners on the right

R U R' U' R' F R2 U' R' U' R U R' F'

This is the T permutation. Keep yellow on top and your chosen pair on the left. The two top-right corners swap positions while the white and yellow faces stay oriented.

Break the sequence into R U R' U', then R' F R2 U' R' U', then R U R' F'. Keep the same face at the front through all three parts.

3. Recheck the new state

If you started with no matching pair, find the new pair before repeating T. Align it with the bottom pair of the same colour and hold that side on the left. Perform T again from that grip.

When both stickers in each top pair match, turn U until the top pairs line up with the bottom pairs. The white layer is already in the correct order, so one U alignment solves the cube.

4. Inspect the hidden faces

Check all six faces, including the back and bottom. Every face must have four matching stickers, including the four sides between the white and yellow faces. Once all six faces match, you’re ready for a full solve from a fresh scramble.

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 when you look directly at that face. A prime mark (′) reverses the turn. A 2 means 180°. Keep the same face at the front throughout an algorithm.

Watch, then try

Work through an example

Start by going through the moves one at a time. The prepared example shows a specific action. Use the lesson’s setup instructions to recognise when to apply it to your own scramble.

Watch one worked example

A matching top pair is aligned with the bottom pair on the left. T swaps the two top-right corners to solve the example cube.

Starting grip. Yellow up · blue at the front · red on the right. Follow any written instructions for rotating the whole cube.

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Loading 3D cube…

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 2×2. Hold it 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’re solving through the course.

F R U' R' U R U R2 F' 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

Before the example

After the full sequence

Drag each cube to inspect its other faces.

Explain it to yourself

Check your understanding

Now use your own cube

Your turn

Look for matching top pairs, set one up on the left and apply T. When all pairs match, turn U to align the whole top layer.

Open a 2×2 Digital Cube for practice

Opens in a new tab so you can refer to this lesson while you practise. Check for yourself whether you’ve met the lesson goal. The Digital Cube does not grade your work.

If you get stuck

The white and yellow faces are complete, but the side colours are still mixed.

Compare the top pairs. If the two stickers in each pair match, use U to align the top layer. Otherwise, set up the matching pair on the left and apply T.

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.

All six faces have four matching stickers.I aligned a top pair with the bottom pair of the same colour before holding that side on the left.I can handle a top layer with no matching pair.

Tick each item once you can do it yourself.