Algorithms · first two layers

All 41 F2L cases

F2L pairs one corner with one edge and puts them in a slot together. Every case below is for the front-right slot, with your cross on the bottom: find where the two pieces are, then use the algorithm. Every algorithm here was found by search over the moves cubers actually use — R U R' and F' U' F with turns of the top — and checked to insert its pair without disturbing anything else.

What the letters mean OLL and PLL

Both on top

The corner and the edge are both in the top layer. The most common situation, and the one worth knowing best.

1
F'UF
3 moves
2
F'U'F
3 moves
3
RUR'
3 moves
4
RU'R'
3 moves
5
F'U'FRUR'
6 moves
6
RUR'F'U'F
6 moves
7
F'UFU'F'U'F
7 moves
8
F'UFU2RUR'
7 moves
9
F'U'FUF'U2F
7 moves
10
F'U2FUF'U'F
7 moves
11
F'U2FUF'U2F
7 moves
12
F'U2FU'F'UF
7 moves
13
F'U2FU'RUR'
7 moves
14
RUR'URUR'
7 moves
15
RUR'U'RU2R'
7 moves
16
RUR'U2F'U'F
7 moves
17
RU'R'URUR'
7 moves
18
RU'R'U2F'U'F
7 moves
19
RU2R'UF'U'F
7 moves
20
RU2R'URU'R'
7 moves
21
RU2R'U'RUR'
7 moves
22
RU2R'U'RU2R'
7 moves
23
RUR'F'UFRUR'
9 moves
24
RUR'F'U2FRUR'
9 moves

Corner on top, edge in slot

The edge is already in the slot, the corner is up top. Take the edge out and pair them.

25
F'UFRU2R'
6 moves
26
F'UFURUR'
7 moves
27
RUR'UF'U'F
7 moves
28
RUR'U2RUR'
7 moves
29
RU'R'U'RU2R'
7 moves
30
RUR'F'UFU2RUR'
10 moves

Edge on top, corner in slot

The corner is in the slot, the edge is up top. Lift the corner, pair it, put it back.

31
F'UFRUR'
6 moves
32
F'U2FRU2R'
6 moves
33
RU'R'F'U'F
6 moves
34
RU2R'F'U2F
6 moves
35
F'UFURU'R'
7 moves
36
RUR'U'F'U'F
7 moves

Both in slot

Both pieces are in the slot but not solved — flipped, twisted, or both. Take them out and try again.

37
F'UFRU'R'U2RUR'
10 moves
38
RU'R'U2RUR'F'U'F
10 moves
39
F'UFU'RU2R'U'RU2R'
11 moves
40
RUR'U'RU2R'U'RUR'
11 moves
41
RUR'U2RU'R'URUR'
11 moves

All 41 F2L cases

What the letters mean OLL and PLL