3x3x3 Top Down Bottom

3x3x3 Top Down Solution, Bottom Layer

REMEMBER: Before starting any algorithm, make sure that the front (dark grey) face is facing you and the top layer is on the top.

The aim of this section is to take you from this

to this

completing Rubik's Cube.

Important: To successfully solve the bottom layer each step must be completed in the order it appears on this page.

If you are solving a picture cube, number cube, etc. then to solve the bottom layer Go Here.

Step 1. Orienting The Edges / Making The Cross.

As with the top layer the first thing you need to do is make the cross, however, this time you don't need to line up the edge colours with the side centres, you will be doing that after you have finished the bottom layer's corners, so if you already have the cross on the bottom go to, "Step 2. Orienting The Corners".

Front face dark grey.

Algorithm 1

R	D	F	D'	F'	R'

Right face Clockwise	Down face Clockwise	Front face Clockwise	Down face Anti-clock	Front face Anti-clock	Right face Anti-clock

Front face dark grey.

Algorithm 2

R	F	D	F'	D'	R'

Right face Clockwise	Front face Clockwise	Down face Clockwise	Front face Anti-clock	Down face Anti-clock	Right face Anti-clock

This configuration requires you to perform both of the above algorithms, (i.e. Algorithm 1 followed by algorithm 2 or algorithm 2 followed by algorithm 1), after completing the first algorithm check the bottom configuration to be sure the Front face is toward you before performing the second algorithm.

Step 2. Orienting The Corners.

If all four corners are showing yellow faces on the bottom then go to. "Step 3. Positioning The Corners". If only one of the corners is showing a yellow face then perform the appropriate algorithm to rotate the other three.

Front face dark grey.

Algorithm 1

Front

R'	D'	R	D'	R'	D'2		R

Right face Anti-clock	Down face Anti-clock	Right face Clockwise	Down face Anti-clock	Right face Anti-clock	Down face Anti-clock	Down face Anti-clock	Right face Clockwise

Front face dark grey

Algorithm 2

Front

L	D	L'	D	L	D2		L'

Left face Clockwise	Down face Clockwise	Left face Anti-clock	Down face Clockwise	Left face Clockwise	Down face Clockwise	Down face Clockwise	Left face Anti-clock

The following configurations require the performance of two algorithms, firstly perform algorithm 1 then check the bottom of your cube to to ensure that the Front face is facing you to perform either algorithm 1 or algorithm 2.

Front face dark grey

Front

1 then 2

1 then 1

An easy way to remember how to hold your cube when it has one of the above configurations is, if there are two yellow corner faces showing on the bottom of your cube you must have a yellow corner facing you on the bottom left of the Front face and if there are no yellow corner faces showing on the bottom then you have no yellow corner face, facing you on the Front face.

Step 3. Positioning The Corners / Exchanging The Positions Of Adjacent Corners.

Check the bottom layer, if all four corners line up in the right place, then go to, "Step 4. Positioning The Edges". If not turn the cube and look for matching coloured corners on a side of the cube. Turn the bottom layer so that your matching corners are in the right place, they are now on the Front face. The corners that will be repositioned are at the rear and coloured gold on the graphics below.

Worst case scenario is that there are no matching corners on a side of the cube, simply perform the algorithm and check again and you should find a matching pair.

Note: You only need to perform the last rotation when you are positioning the final two corners.

Front face dark grey.

Front

L'2

Front face
Clockwise

Left face
Anti-clock

Front face
Clockwise

Right face
Clockwise

Front face
Anti-clock

Left face
Clockwise

Front face
Clockwise

Right face
Anti-clock

Front face
Clockwise

Down face
Clockwise

Step 4. Positioning The Edges.

Make sure that your corners are in their right positions. At this point your cube will either be solved or you will need to reposition three or all four of the edges.

If you need to reposition all four edges you will need to perform two algorithms, the first algorithm you use is to place one of the edges in the right place leaving the other three to be repositioned.

To reposition three edges choose the algorithm that moves the three out of position edges either clockwise or anti-clockwise to reposition them correctly and finishing the bottom layer. An easy way to identify turn three and ten (the only turns that differ in Algorithm 1 and 2) is that the edge on the side face with the same coloured face as the front face is rotated to the front. The edges that will be repositioned are coloured gold on the graphics below.

Front face dark grey.

Front

Algorithm 1

F'2		D	L'	R	F'2		R'	L	D	F'2

Front face Anti-clock	Front face Anti-clock	Down face Clockwise	Left face Anti-clock	Right face Clockwise	Front face Anti-clock	Front face Anti-clock	Right face Anti-clock	Left face Clockwise	Down face Clockwise	Front face Anti-clock	Front face Anti-clock

Front face dark grey.

Front

Algorithm 2

F'2		D'	L'	R	F'2		R'	L	D'	F'2

Front face Anti-clock	Front face Anti-clock	Down face Anti-clock	Left face Anti-clock	Right face Clockwise	Front face Anti-clock	Front face Anti-clock	Right face Anti-clock	Left face Clockwise	Down face Anti-clock	Front face Anti-clock	Front face Anti-clock

3x3x3 Top Down Solution, Bottom Layer

Step 1. Orienting The Edges / Making The Cross.

Step 2. Orienting The Corners.

Step 3. Positioning The Corners / Exchanging The Positions Of Adjacent Corners.

Step 4. Positioning The Edges.

That's it, you have solved Rubik's Cube, happy cubing.