Beginner method · step 3 of 7
Step 3: Fill the middle layer.
Two bottom layers done means two thirds of the cube. Now four edge pieces go into the middle layer, using one algorithm for the right-hand slot and one for the left-hand slot.
Goal of this step The first two layers are solved: every side shows two matching rows.
Find an edge to place
Look in the top layer for an edge piece with no yellow sticker. Turn the top layer until its front sticker matches the front centre, so the edge sits directly in front of the matching colour. Now look at the sticker on top of that edge. If it matches the centre on the right, the edge goes right. If it matches the centre on the left, the edge goes left.
Edge goes right
Do U R U' R' U' F' U F. The edge moves into the front-right slot of the middle layer. The bottom layers stay solved.
Edge goes left
Do U' L' U L U F U' F'. The edge moves into the front-left slot.
If an edge is stuck
Sometimes a middle-layer edge is in a slot but the wrong way round or in the wrong place. Do the right-hand algorithm with that edge in the front-right slot. It pops the edge out into the top layer, and then you can place it the proper way. If every top edge has a yellow sticker, use this trick to free one.
Check
Each side face should now have two solid rows that match the centre. Only the yellow layer on top is left.
Watch it, step by step
Press play to watch the moves on a cube, or step through them one at a time. Drag the cube to look from another side.
Turn on JavaScript to watch this on a 3D cube. The moves are: U R U' R' U' F' U F
- U
- R
- U'
- R'
- U'
- F'
- U
- F
Turn on JavaScript to watch this on a 3D cube. The moves are: U' L' U L U F U' F'
- U'
- L'
- U
- L
- U
- F
- U'
- F'
Common mistakes
- Picking the wrong algorithm. Match the front sticker to the front centre first, then read the top sticker.
- Doing the algorithm with the edge in the wrong place. The edge must be in the top layer, at the front.
- Forgetting the edge has a yellow sticker. Edges with yellow stay in the top layer until step 4.
FAQ
Step 3: questions
Do I turn the cube between the two algorithms?
Only to bring the edge to the front. Keep the same colour in front when you read the edge, so you can tell whether it goes left or right.
What if no top edge is without a yellow sticker?
Then all four middle edges are already in place, or some are stuck. Use the right-hand algorithm to push a wrong middle edge up into the top layer.
Does it matter which edge I do first?
No. Any order works, as long as the edge has no yellow sticker.
Why are these algorithms longer than the first-layer trigger?
They have to put an edge into the middle layer without disturbing the two layers that are already solved, which takes eight moves.
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