What F2L is
These F2L algorithms solve the first two layers after the cross. F2L means first two layers: you pair a white corner with the edge that goes above it and put the pair into its slot, four times. The 41 cases below are every way that corner and edge can sit when both are in the top layer or in their own slot, for the front-right slot (our test lists all 42 placements, turns of the top aside, and finds 41 cases plus solved). For the other slots, turn the whole cube (y) so the slot is at the front right, or use the same idea mirrored.
Every algorithm here is tested. Each one was replayed move by move on a virtual cube: starting from a solved cube, undoing the algorithm must give exactly the case it is listed under, with the rest of the cube untouched, and every alternative must solve the same case. The case lists were also checked for completeness by listing every possible position of the pieces involved, so no case is missing and none appears twice.
Learn F2L by understanding, not only by heart
Many cubers solve F2L intuitively: they look at the pair, bring the corner and edge together in the top layer, then insert them with three or four moves. The first four cases (basic inserts) are the building blocks; the others mostly move one piece so the pair joins up, then end with one of those inserts. Play a case slowly on the 3D cube and watch where the pair forms. Learning the algorithms is still useful for the cases where the pieces are stuck in the slot (cases 25 to 41) and for faster, shorter solutions.
How to read the cases
The diagram shows the top, front and right faces, held with yellow on top and green in front, so the slot is between the green and orange centers. Pieces of the last layer are gray, so only the corner (white, green, orange) and its edge (green, orange) stand out. The text on each card says where the two pieces are and which way they face. The groups follow the usual order: both pieces on top (cases 1 to 24), the corner in the slot (25 to 30), the edge in the slot (31 to 36) and both in the slot but wrong (37 to 41).
Practice and print
Practice these cases shows a random case on the 3D cube and times you until you press Done; open Your times per case for your best and average time on each case, slowest first. Print sheet puts all 41 cases, with diagram and main algorithm, on one page (choose Save as PDF in the print dialog for a PDF). Everything stays in this browser.
All F2L algorithms in one list
Cases 1 to 36 follow the speedsolving.com wiki numbering; its cases 38 to 42 are 37 to 41 here, because the wiki keeps a number for the solved pair.
| No. | Group | Algorithm | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basic inserts | U R U' R' | 4 |
| 2 | Basic inserts | U' F' U F | 4 |
| 3 | Basic inserts | F' U' F | 3 |
| 4 | Basic inserts | R U R' | 3 |
| 5 | Reposition the edge | U' R U R' U2 R U' R' | 8 |
| 6 | Reposition the edge | U' r U' R' U R U r' | 8 |
| 7 | Reposition the edge | U' R U2 R' U2 R U' R' | 8 |
| 8 | Reposition the edge | d R' U2 R U2 R' U R | 8 |
| 9 | Reposition the edge and flip the corner | U' R U' R' U F' U' F | 8 |
| 10 | Reposition the edge and flip the corner | U' R U R' U R U R' | 8 |
| 11 | Reposition the edge and flip the corner | U' R U2 R' U F' U' F | 8 |
| 12 | Reposition the edge and flip the corner | R U' R' U R U' R' U2 R U' R' | 11 |
| 13 | Reposition the edge and flip the corner | y' U R' U R U' R' U' R | 8 |
| 14 | Reposition the edge and flip the corner | U' R U' R' U R U R' | 8 |
| 15 | Split pair by going over | R' D' R U' R' D R U R U' R' | 11 |
| 16 | Split pair by going over | R U' R' U2 F' U' F | 7 |
| 17 | Split pair by going over | R U2 R' U' R U R' | 7 |
| 18 | Split pair by going over | y' R' U2 R U R' U' R | 7 |
| 19 | Pair made on the side | U R U2 R' U R U' R' | 8 |
| 20 | Pair made on the side | y' U' R' U2 R U' R' U R | 8 |
| 21 | Pair made on the side | R U' R' U2 R U R' | 7 |
| 22 | Pair made on the side | r U' r' U2 r U r' | 7 |
| 23 | Weird cases | U R U' R' U' R U' R' U R U' R' | 12 |
| 24 | Weird cases | F U R U' R' F' R U' R' | 9 |
| 25 | Corner in the slot, edge on top | U' R' F R F' R U R' | 8 |
| 26 | Corner in the slot, edge on top | U R U' R' F R' F' R | 8 |
| 27 | Corner in the slot, edge on top | R U' R' U R U' R' | 7 |
| 28 | Corner in the slot, edge on top | R U R' U' F R' F' R | 8 |
| 29 | Corner in the slot, edge on top | R' F R F' R' F R F' | 8 |
| 30 | Corner in the slot, edge on top | R U R' U' R U R' | 7 |
| 31 | Edge in the slot, corner on top | U' R' F R F' R U' R' | 8 |
| 32 | Edge in the slot, corner on top | R U R' U' R U R' U' R U R' | 11 |
| 33 | Edge in the slot, corner on top | U' R U' R' U2 R U' R' | 8 |
| 34 | Edge in the slot, corner on top | U R U R' U2 R U R' | 8 |
| 35 | Edge in the slot, corner on top | U' R U R' U F' U' F | 8 |
| 36 | Edge in the slot, corner on top | U F' U' F U' R U R' | 8 |
| 37 | Both in the slot | R2 U2 F R2 F' U2 R' U R' | 9 |
| 38 | Both in the slot | R U' R' U' R U R' U2 R U' R' | 11 |
| 39 | Both in the slot | R U' R' U R U2 R' U R U' R' | 11 |
| 40 | Both in the slot | r U' r' U2 r U r' R U R' | 10 |
| 41 | Both in the slot | R U' R' r U' r' U2 r U r' | 10 |
After F2L comes the last layer: OLL and PLL. The whole method is on the CFOP page, and the moves are explained in the notation guide.
Sources: Speedsolving.com wiki: First Two Layers. Rules checked . Found a problem? Tell us.
Questions
How many F2L cases are there?
41 for one slot, counting the cases where the corner and edge are in the top layer or in their own slot. Our test lists every placement of the two pieces and confirms there are 41 plus solved.
Do I need to memorize F2L algorithms?
Not all of them. Many cubers solve most pairs intuitively, using the basic inserts (cases 1 to 4). Algorithms help most when a piece is stuck in the slot and for shorter solutions.
What does the d move mean?
A d turns the bottom two layers together, like a D turn that also takes the middle layer along. Some F2L algorithms use it instead of turning the whole cube; the 3D player shows it.
How do I use these for the other three slots?
Turn the whole cube (a y or y' rotation) so the slot you want is at the front right, then use the same case. You can also learn mirrored versions for the front-left slot.