Algorithm Library
Search or filter by puzzle and category to find the exact algorithm you need, written in standard notation.
This is a searchable reference for the exact CFOP and beginner-method algorithms used throughout Rubik's Academy's guides - including all 57 OLL and 21 PLL cases with diagrams, and Pyraminx algorithms - written in standard notation. Filter by puzzle type and category below, or use the Beginner Method and CFOP guides if you're looking for context on when to use each one. Learning CFOP? Jump straight to the OLL algorithms or PLL algorithms pages.
Sexy Move
The most common short trigger in cubing. Used inside many longer algorithms and constantly in intuitive F2L.
Sledgehammer
Another common F2L trigger, often used as the mirror-ish counterpart to the sexy move.
OLL 1
No edges are oriented - the top shows only a center dot, so these are the hardest OLLs to recognize and usually the last ones learned.
OLL 2
No edges are oriented - the top shows only a center dot, so these are the hardest OLLs to recognize and usually the last ones learned.
OLL 3
No edges are oriented - the top shows only a center dot, so these are the hardest OLLs to recognize and usually the last ones learned.
OLL 4
No edges are oriented - the top shows only a center dot, so these are the hardest OLLs to recognize and usually the last ones learned.
OLL 5
A 2x2 block of oriented pieces sits in one corner of the top face.
OLL 6
A 2x2 block of oriented pieces sits in one corner of the top face.
OLL 7
The oriented pieces form a small zig-zag "lightning bolt" shape.
OLL 8
The oriented pieces form a small zig-zag "lightning bolt" shape.
OLL 9
The oriented pieces form a fish shape pointing diagonally across the top.
OLL 10
The oriented pieces form a fish shape pointing diagonally across the top.
OLL 11
The oriented pieces form a small zig-zag "lightning bolt" shape.
OLL 12
The oriented pieces form a small zig-zag "lightning bolt" shape.
OLL 13
The oriented pieces make an L shaped like a chess knight's move.
OLL 14
The oriented pieces make an L shaped like a chess knight's move.
OLL 15
The oriented pieces make an L shaped like a chess knight's move.
OLL 16
The oriented pieces make an L shaped like a chess knight's move.
OLL 17
No edges are oriented - the top shows only a center dot, so these are the hardest OLLs to recognize and usually the last ones learned.
OLL 18
No edges are oriented - the top shows only a center dot, so these are the hardest OLLs to recognize and usually the last ones learned.
OLL 19
No edges are oriented - the top shows only a center dot, so these are the hardest OLLs to recognize and usually the last ones learned.
OLL 20 (Checkers)
No edges are oriented - the top shows only a center dot, so these are the hardest OLLs to recognize and usually the last ones learned.
OLL 21 (H)
All four edges are already oriented (a yellow cross is showing), so only the corners need twisting. Learn these first - they come up most often.
OLL 22 (Pi)
All four edges are already oriented (a yellow cross is showing), so only the corners need twisting. Learn these first - they come up most often.
OLL 23 (Headlights)
All four edges are already oriented (a yellow cross is showing), so only the corners need twisting. Learn these first - they come up most often.
OLL 24 (Chameleon)
All four edges are already oriented (a yellow cross is showing), so only the corners need twisting. Learn these first - they come up most often.
OLL 25 (Bowtie)
All four edges are already oriented (a yellow cross is showing), so only the corners need twisting. Learn these first - they come up most often.
OLL 26 (Anti-Sune)
All four edges are already oriented (a yellow cross is showing), so only the corners need twisting. Learn these first - they come up most often.
OLL 27 (Sune)
All four edges are already oriented (a yellow cross is showing), so only the corners need twisting. Learn these first - they come up most often.
OLL 28 (Stealth)
All four corners are oriented but two edges are flipped.
OLL 29
An irregular pattern that doesn't fit the other groups - recognize it by the side stickers.
OLL 30
An irregular pattern that doesn't fit the other groups - recognize it by the side stickers.
OLL 31
The oriented pieces form a letter P (or its mirror) on the top face.
OLL 32
The oriented pieces form a letter P (or its mirror) on the top face.
OLL 33 (Shoelaces)
The oriented pieces form a letter T across the top face.
OLL 34
The oriented pieces form a letter C across the top face.
OLL 35
The oriented pieces form a fish shape pointing diagonally across the top.
OLL 36
The oriented pieces form a staircase W shape.
OLL 37
The oriented pieces form a fish shape pointing diagonally across the top.
OLL 38
The oriented pieces form a staircase W shape.
OLL 39
The oriented pieces form a long lightning bolt across the top.
OLL 40
The oriented pieces form a long lightning bolt across the top.
OLL 41
An irregular pattern that doesn't fit the other groups - recognize it by the side stickers.
OLL 42
An irregular pattern that doesn't fit the other groups - recognize it by the side stickers.
OLL 43
The oriented pieces form a letter P (or its mirror) on the top face.
OLL 44
The oriented pieces form a letter P (or its mirror) on the top face.
OLL 45
The oriented pieces form a letter T across the top face.
OLL 46
The oriented pieces form a letter C across the top face.
OLL 47
Two adjacent edges are oriented, forming a small L with the center, and no corners are oriented.
OLL 48
Two adjacent edges are oriented, forming a small L with the center, and no corners are oriented.
OLL 49
Two adjacent edges are oriented, forming a small L with the center, and no corners are oriented.
OLL 50
Two adjacent edges are oriented, forming a small L with the center, and no corners are oriented.
OLL 51
Two opposite edges are oriented, forming a straight line through the center, and no corners are oriented.
OLL 52
Two opposite edges are oriented, forming a straight line through the center, and no corners are oriented.
OLL 53
Two adjacent edges are oriented, forming a small L with the center, and no corners are oriented.
OLL 54
Two adjacent edges are oriented, forming a small L with the center, and no corners are oriented.
OLL 55
Two opposite edges are oriented, forming a straight line through the center, and no corners are oriented.
OLL 56
Two opposite edges are oriented, forming a straight line through the center, and no corners are oriented.
OLL 57 (H)
All four corners are oriented but two edges are flipped.
Ua-Perm
Cycles three edges; the front edge stays in place when viewed from the solved bar at the back. Only the edges move - every corner is already solved. Recognize these by the fully-matching corner "headlights" on all four sides.
Ub-Perm
Cycles three edges in the opposite direction to the Ua-Perm. Only the edges move - every corner is already solved. Recognize these by the fully-matching corner "headlights" on all four sides.
H-Perm
Swaps both pairs of opposite edges - every side shows a "checkerboard" edge. Only the edges move - every corner is already solved. Recognize these by the fully-matching corner "headlights" on all four sides.
Z-Perm
Swaps two pairs of adjacent edges. Only the edges move - every corner is already solved. Recognize these by the fully-matching corner "headlights" on all four sides.
Aa-Perm
Cycles three corners clockwise. Only the corners move - every edge is already solved.
Ab-Perm
Cycles three corners counter-clockwise. Only the corners move - every edge is already solved.
E-Perm
Swaps two pairs of corners across the front and back - no headlights anywhere. Only the corners move - every edge is already solved.
T-Perm
Swaps two adjacent corners and the two opposite edges between them. One of the most-used PLLs - learn it first. Two adjacent corners swap along with a pair of edges. Look for exactly one set of headlights.
F-Perm
Swaps two adjacent corners and two opposite edges, keeping one full solved side bar. Two adjacent corners swap along with a pair of edges. Look for exactly one set of headlights.
Ja-Perm
Swaps two adjacent corners and two adjacent edges, with a 1x3 bar on the left. Two adjacent corners swap along with a pair of edges. Look for exactly one set of headlights.
Jb-Perm
Mirror of the Ja-Perm, with the 1x3 bar on the right. Two adjacent corners swap along with a pair of edges. Look for exactly one set of headlights.
Ra-Perm
Swaps two adjacent corners and two edges, leaving a 1x2 block and headlights. Two adjacent corners swap along with a pair of edges. Look for exactly one set of headlights.
Rb-Perm
Mirror of the Ra-Perm. Two adjacent corners swap along with a pair of edges. Look for exactly one set of headlights.
V-Perm
Swaps two diagonal corners and two adjacent edges. Two diagonally-opposite corners swap along with a pair of edges. There are no headlights on any side.
Y-Perm
Swaps two diagonal corners and two adjacent edges - built from two familiar OLL triggers. Two diagonally-opposite corners swap along with a pair of edges. There are no headlights on any side.
Na-Perm
Swaps two diagonal corners and two opposite edges; the left and right sides show 1x2 blocks. Two diagonally-opposite corners swap along with a pair of edges. There are no headlights on any side.
Nb-Perm
Mirror of the Na-Perm. Two diagonally-opposite corners swap along with a pair of edges. There are no headlights on any side.
Ga-Perm
Cycles three corners and three edges. A corner 3-cycle combined with an edge 3-cycle. Recognize them by one set of headlights plus a 1x2 block.
Gb-Perm
Inverse of the Ga-Perm. A corner 3-cycle combined with an edge 3-cycle. Recognize them by one set of headlights plus a 1x2 block.
Gc-Perm
Cycles three corners and three edges - mirror of the Ga-Perm. A corner 3-cycle combined with an edge 3-cycle. Recognize them by one set of headlights plus a 1x2 block.
Gd-Perm
Inverse of the Gc-Perm. A corner 3-cycle combined with an edge 3-cycle. Recognize them by one set of headlights plus a 1x2 block.
Corner Twist (Sune)
Same trigger as the 3x3 Sune - orients the last layer once the first layer of a 2x2 is built.
Adjacent Corner Swap
Swaps two adjacent corner pairs to finish a 2x2 - the same sequence as the 3x3 T-Perm, since it manipulates corners the same way.
Solving a Tip
(twist the tip to match its adjacent face colors)
Each of the 4 tips turns independently and never affects any other piece, so they can always be solved last (or first) with a simple twist.
Basic Layer Insertion
The two core building-block moves used to bring an edge piece into a layer while keeping already-solved pieces in place.
Algorithms FAQ
How many algorithms are there in total?
It depends on the method. The beginner method needs only 4-5 algorithms. Full CFOP uses 57 OLL and 21 PLL algorithms (78 total) plus intuitive F2L - see the CFOP guide for how to learn them gradually.
What is the easiest way to memorize algorithms?
Learn a few at a time, drill each one in isolation until your fingers know it without thinking, then fold it into full solves - trying to memorize dozens at once is a common way to burn out. See Speedcubing Tips for more on structured practice.
Are Pyraminx algorithms different from Rubik's Cube algorithms?
Pyraminx uses its own notation and a much smaller algorithm set - most solves only need a handful of moves after the tips are turned in, far fewer than the OLL/PLL set needed for CFOP on a 3x3.