Notation

This guide explains the standard Rubik’s Cube notation system used to describe the cube’s movements. Along with definitions, it includes visuals for clarity.

Step 1: Faces of the Cube

Each face of the cube is assigned a letter to indicate its position:

• U (Up): The top face
• D (Down): The bottom face
• F (Front): The face facing you
• B (Back): The face opposite the front
• L (Left): The left face
• R (Right): The right face

To make it clear:

      U
   L  F  R  B
      D

Step 2: Movements

Each move describes the rotation of a specific face. The notation indicates the face and the direction of the turn.

Standard Rotations

1. Clockwise (90°)
   • Represented by the letter of the face.
   • Example: U means turning the Upper face 90° clockwise.
2. Counterclockwise (90°)
   • Represented by the letter followed by an apostrophe (').
   • Example: U' means turning the Upper face 90° counterclockwise.
3. 180° Rotation
   • Represented by the letter followed by a 2.
   • Example: U2 means turning the Upper face 180°.

Step 3: Additional Notations

Wide Moves

For cubes larger than 3×3, wide moves include two layers:

• Represented by the letter and w.
  • Example: Uw means turning the Upper face and the adjacent middle layer 90° clockwise.

Middle Layer Moves

These describe the movements of the middle layers between standard faces:

• M (Middle): Rotate the middle layer between L and R, moving like L.
  • M: Middle layer 90° clockwise (same direction as L).
  • M': Middle layer 90° counterclockwise (opposite direction to L).
  • M2: Middle layer 180° rotation.
• E (Equator): Rotate the middle layer between U and D, moving like D.
  • E: Middle layer 90° clockwise (same direction as D).
  • E': Middle layer 90° counterclockwise (opposite direction to D).
  • E2: Middle layer 180° rotation.
• S (Standing): Rotate the middle layer between F and B, moving like F.
  • S: Middle layer 90° clockwise (same direction as F).
  • S': Middle layer 90° counterclockwise (opposite direction to F).
  • S2: Middle layer 180° rotation.

Whole Cube Rotations

These describe the rotation of the entire cube:

• x: Rotate the cube around the R-L axis.
• y: Rotate the cube around the U-D axis.
• z: Rotate the cube around the F-B axis.

Step 4: Visualizing the Moves

For each move, diagrams are crucial to show the before and after states of the cube:

Example: U Move

1. Starting Position:
   • The Up face is on top.
2. After U Move:
   • The top layer rotates 90° clockwise.

Before:
      A B C
      D E F
      G H I

After `U`:
      G D A
      H E B
      I F C

Example: R Move

1. Starting Position:
   • The Right face is on the right.
2. After R Move:
   • The right layer rotates 90° clockwise.

Before:
      M N O
      P Q R
      S T U

After `R`:
      S P M
      T Q N
      U R O

Example: M Move

1. Starting Position:
   • The middle layer is between the Left and Right faces.
2. After M Move:
   • The middle layer rotates 90° clockwise (like L).

Before:
      A B C
      D E F
      G H I

After `M`:
      A F C
      D E I
      G B H

Step 5: Practice Problems

Use these sequences to practice:

Beginner Practice

1. Perform R U R'.
   • Rotate the Right face clockwise, the Upper face clockwise, and the Right face counterclockwise.
   • Visualize how each turn affects the cube.
2. Perform F2 D' R.
   • Rotate the Front face 180°, the Down face counterclockwise, and the Right face clockwise.

Intermediate Practice

1. Perform L U2 F' R' D.
   • Use diagrams to see the effect of each step.
2. Perform Rw U' Fw2.
   • Practice wide moves and their effects.
3. Perform M U M' D.
   • Incorporate middle layer movements.

Challenge

Solve this sequence: R U R' U R U2 R'.

Step 6: All Possible Movements

Here is a complete list of all basic notations:

Face Rotations

Wide and Middle Layer Rotations

Whole Cube Rotations