What PLL is
These PLL algorithms finish the cube. PLL means permutation of the last layer: when the top is already all yellow (that is what OLL does), the top pieces only need to swap places. There are 21 PLL cases, and our test confirms that they cover every one of the 288 ways the yellow layer can be mixed up while staying yellow on top, apart from solved. Turning the top (an AUF, adjust U face) before or after does not make a new case.
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.
How to read the diagrams
Each diagram is the top of the cube seen from above, held with yellow on top and green in front. The side stickers show the colors you see around the top layer, and each arrow points from where a piece is to where it belongs. A double arrow means two pieces swap. Hold your cube like the diagram before you start. Some algorithms end with an extra U or U': that last turn lines the top layer up with the rest of the cube, and it is written in so the algorithm leaves your cube fully solved.
How to recognize a PLL case
Look at the side stickers of two neighboring sides. Three things tell the cases apart:
- Headlights: the two corner stickers on one side match but the edge between them does not.
- Bar: all three stickers on a side match.
- Pair: a corner sticker matches the edge sticker next to it.
For example, a full bar with headlights on the other three sides is always a U perm, and a single bar with nothing else matching is the F perm. The recognition line on every card says what to look for in that case, as you see it with the diagram's hold. Every claim in those lines is checked against the cube by our test.
Which to learn first
Start with 2-look PLL (switch to it above the cards): two corner cases, solved here with the T perm and the Y perm, then the four edge cases Ua, Ub, H and Z. Six algorithms finish every solve in two steps. After that, add the rest group by group. The A perms and E only move corners; the J, R, T and F perms swap two neighboring corners; N, V and Y swap two diagonal corners; the four G perms cycle three corners and three edges.
Practice mode
Press Practice these cases. The 3D cube shows a random case from the cards you have filtered, turned to a random angle, and a timer runs while you recognize it and do the algorithm on your own cube. Press Done (or the space bar) to see the answer and your time. Mark a case as learned and use the "Not learned" filter to drill only the ones you still need. Open Your times per case to see your best and average time for every case you have timed, slowest average first, so you know which algorithms to drill. Marks and times stay in this browser, with no account.
Printable PLL sheet
Press Print sheet (or print the page from your browser) for a one-page sheet per set: the diagram, name and main algorithm of all 21 cases on one page, and the 2-look PLL on a second page. Choose Save as PDF in the print dialog to keep it as a PDF. To time full solves, use the cube timer.
All PLL algorithms in one list
Moves are counted with a slice or wide turn as one and whole-cube turns (x, y) not counted.
| Case | Algorithm | Moves |
|---|---|---|
| Aa perm | x R' U R' D2 R U' R' D2 R2 x' | 9 |
| Ab perm | x R2 D2 R U R' D2 R U' R x' | 9 |
| E perm | x' R U' R' D R U R' D' R U R' D R U' R' D' x | 16 |
| H perm | M2 U M2 U2 M2 U M2 | 7 |
| Ua perm | M2 U M U2 M' U M2 | 7 |
| Ub perm | M2 U' M U2 M' U' M2 | 7 |
| Z perm | M' U M2 U M2 U M' U2 M2 U' | 10 |
| F perm | R' U' F' R U R' U' R' F R2 U' R' U' R U R' U R | 18 |
| Ja perm | x R2 F R F' R U2 r' U r U2 x' | 10 |
| Jb perm | R U R' F' R U R' U' R' F R2 U' R' U' | 14 |
| Ra perm | R U' R' U' R U R D R' U' R D' R' U2 R' U' | 16 |
| Rb perm | R' U2 R U2 R' F R U R' U' R' F' R2 U' | 14 |
| T perm | R U R' U' R' F R2 U' R' U' R U R' F' | 14 |
| Ga perm | R2 U R' U R' U' R U' R2 U' D R' U R D' U | 16 |
| Gb perm | R' U' R U D' R2 U R' U R U' R U' R2 D U | 16 |
| Gc perm | R2 U' R U' R U R' U R2 U D' R U' R' D U | 16 |
| Gd perm | R U R' U' D R2 U' R U' R' U R' U R2 D' U | 16 |
| Na perm | R U R' U R U R' F' R U R' U' R' F R2 U' R' U2 R U' R' | 21 |
| Nb perm | R' U R U' R' F' U' F R U R' F R' F' R U' R | 17 |
| V perm | R' U R' U' y R' F' R2 U' R' U R' F R F | 14 |
| Y perm | F R U' R' U' R U R' F' R U R' U' R' F R F' | 17 |
See also the overview of Rubik's cube algorithms, the CFOP method and the notation guide. Stuck on a scrambled cube? The cube solver solves any position.
Sources: Speedsolving.com wiki: PLL. Rules checked . Found a problem? Tell us.
Questions
How many PLL algorithms are there?
There are 21 PLL cases, so 21 algorithms. Our test lists all 288 arrangements of a last layer that is already yellow on top and confirms that, ignoring turns of the top layer, they fall into exactly these 21 cases plus solved.
What is 2-look PLL?
A shorter set of six algorithms that solves PLL in two steps: first place the corners (T perm or Y perm), then the edges (Ua, Ub, H or Z). It is the usual way to learn PLL before the full set. Switch to it with the button above the cards.
What does AUF mean?
Adjust U face: a turn of the top layer (U, U' or U2) before an algorithm, so the case lines up with the diagram, or after it, so the top layer lines up with the rest of the cube. Where an algorithm needs a final turn, it is written into the algorithm on this page.
What is the difference between OLL and PLL?
OLL turns every piece of the top layer so yellow faces up, in one of 57 cases. PLL then moves those pieces to their right places, in one of 21 cases. Together they are the last layer of the CFOP method.
Why does my cube end up scrambled after a PLL algorithm?
Usually the cube was held at a different angle than the diagram, or a move was turned the wrong way. Press Play on the card to watch it on the 3D cube, and check the notation guide for what each letter means.