Solve a 4x4 Cube
Learn to solve a 4x4 Rubik's Cube step-by-step, practicing pattern recognition, algorithms, and patience through guided moves and edge-pairing techniques.
Step-by-step guide to solve a 4x4 Rubik's Cube
How to Solve the 4x4 Rubik's Cube (Beginners Method) - Learn Under 10 Minutes
Step 1
Learn the moves and notation by memorizing U D L R F B for outer face turns lowercase r l for inner slice turns and 2R 2L for turning two right or left layers together.
Step 2
Look at your cube and point out the centers (2x2 blocks) the edge pieces (pairs) and the corners so you know what to solve first.
Step 3
Make the white 2x2 center block by moving the four white center pieces into one face until they form a square.
Step 4
Make the opposite yellow 2x2 center block by moving the four yellow center pieces to the opposite face from the white center.
Step 5
Complete the remaining four centers by forming each 2x2 center block and keep each centerās color in the correct relative position (as on a solved cube).
Step 6
Pair up one edge at a time by bringing two matching edge pieces together using inner-slice moves then lock the pair and move the finished paired edge to the back; repeat until all 12 edges are paired.
Step 7
Treat each 2x2 center as one center and each paired edge as one edge so your 4x4 is now reduced to a 3x3 and ready for normal 3x3 solving.
Step 8
Solve the cube like a 3x3 using your favorite 3x3 method (make the cross solve F2L then do OLL and PLL) until only last-layer issues remain.
Step 9
If you reach a situation where one dedge is flipped (OLL parity) perform this algorithm exactly using inner-slice notation: r2 B2 U2 l U2 r' U2 r U2 F2 r F2 l' B2 r2.
Step 10
If you reach a situation where two edge-pairs need swapping (PLL parity) perform the standard 4x4 PLL parity algorithm using double-layer turns: 2R2 U2 2R2 Uw2 2R2.
Step 11
After correcting any parity use your 3x3 finishing moves to complete the last layer and solve the cube.
Step 12
Take a photo or video of your solved 4x4 and share your success on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
I don't have a 4x4 cubeāwhat can I use so I can still follow steps like inner-slice moves and edge pairing?
Use a 4x4 simulator app or online virtual cube so you can practice inner-slice notation (lowercase r), make the white/yellow 2x2 centers, pair edges, and use your phone camera for the final photo/video.
When I try to pair edges some centers scrambleāhow do I stop that?
Lock each paired edge with inner-slice moves and move the finished paired edge to the back as the instructions say while you form the remaining centers, and always keep each center's color in the correct relative position before reducing to a 3x3.
How can I adapt this activity for younger kids or older kids learning speedsolving?
For younger kids, simplify to making the white 2x2 center and pairing one or two edges using printed move cards for U D L R F B and a few r moves, and for older kids add timed solves, practice F2L/OLL/PLL, and learn the OLL parity r2 B2 U2 l U2 r' U2 r U2 F2 r F2 l' B2 r2 and the PLL parity 2R2 U2 2R2 Uw2 2R2 algorithms.
How can we extend or personalize the activity after solving the cube?
Customize the cube with new stickers or colors, practice finger tricks for inner-slice r and double-layer 2R turns to speed up your 3x3 reduction and parity corrections, lubricate and tune the cube, time your solves, and then take a photo or video of your solved 4x4 to share on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to solve a 4x4 Rubik's Cube
How to Solve the 4x4 Rubik's Cube (Beginners Method)
4 Videos
How to Solve the 4x4 Rubik's Cube (Beginners Method)
How to Solve a 4x4 Rubik's Cube EASY METHOD
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How to Solve a 4x4 Rubik's Cube for Beginners | Step-by-Step with Parity Fixes
Facts about Rubik's Cube solving
ā±ļø Top speedcubers can solve a 4x4 in under 20 seconds in competition ā practice and algorithms shave huge time!
š Because the 4x4 has no fixed centers, solvers first pair edges and build centers to "reduce" it to a 3x3 solve.
š§ Learning 4x4 solving improves pattern recognition, memory for algorithms, and logical problemāsolving skills kids can use elsewhere.
š¤Æ The 4x4 can present special "parity" cases (like OLL/PLL parity) that don't appear on a 3x3 and need extra algorithms.
š§© The 4x4 cube is commonly called "Rubik's Revenge" and has 4 layers on each face instead of 3.
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