Learn · Level 1 · step 2 of 8
The white cross
Four white edges around the white centre, each matching the colour on its side. You work this step out; there is nothing to learn by heart.
Turn the cube white-side up. The goal of this step is a white plus sign on top, with a condition: the side colour of each white edge must match the centre it touches. White and red edge above the red centre, white and green above the green, and so on around.
There is no algorithm to learn here, and that is the point of the step: it teaches you to move one piece where you want it without caring what happens to the rest. A comfortable route: find a white edge, turn its face so the piece drops to the bottom layer, spin the bottom until it sits under its matching centre, then give that face a half-turn to bring it home.
If a white edge arrives flipped, with white facing sideways, do not force it. Turn the face once so the piece leaves the top, bring it under its centre again, and come at it from the other direction.
Expect this step to take longer than everything else at first. That is normal. Once the cross takes you under a minute, move on.
Every algorithm on this page is checked by simulation before publishing: the position shown plus the moves shown must produce a solved cube. Players: press play, or step through one turn at a time.