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Kelsey Geller focuses on practical Rubik's Cube learning for beginners. Her guides simplify complex steps, explain the "why" behind moves, and help new cubers build confidence with a reliable solving approach. Every guide follows CubeSolver's editorial review standards before publishing.
Learn how to solve any Rubik's Cube from any scramble or position with an easy cube solution method, plus quick tips for some non-conventional cubes.
Learn Rubik's Cube Step 5 by swapping yellow edges to match side colors using the beginner method algorithm, setup tips, and easy edge recognition.
Learn the ZZ method with our beginner guide. Follow step-by-step instructions, practical checks, and fixes to solve any Rubik's Cube confidently and fast.
If you are learning PLL and keep hearing other cubers mention the H perm, you are in the right place. This pattern is highly popular because it simply swaps opposite edges on the top layer. This quick guide gives you the exact meaning of this case, the standard moves to solve it, and practical drills to help you turn faster.
This H perm Rubik's Cube shows up during the very last step of solving your cube. It is an edge-swapping case where all four corners are already in their correct places, but the four outer edges are mismatched. Specifically, each edge piece needs to trade places with the one directly opposite to it. For example, the Red edge needs to go to the Orange side, and the Blue edge needs to go to the Green side.
Spotting this case on your cube is incredibly easy and only takes a glance. Here is your quick checklist:
Check the Corners: Look at the top layer. All four corners will match their side colors perfectly (you will see complete "bars" or blocks of color on every side).
Check the Edges: Look at any side face. The edge piece will be the exact opposite color of the corners next to it.
The "Opposite" Rule: You will see a Red edge sitting between two Orange corners, or a Blue edge between two Green corners. [Check the color scheme on a Rubik's Cube]
Quick Tip (Don't confuse it with the Z Perm): Both of these cases have solved corners. However, the Z Perm swaps adjacent edges (sides that touch each other), while this case only swaps opposite edges. If the edge color does not match the opposite face, you are likely looking at a Z Perm instead.
Want to see how this looks in 3D? If you are tired of manually scrambling your cube just to practice one specific case, check out the CubeSolver AI Mobile App. It features a smart virtual cube and interactive trainers that let you isolate the H Perm, test your recognition on the go, and track your turning speed right from your phone.
Now that you can spot the pattern, it is time to learn the most efficient way to clear it. While there are a few different versions of this moveset, many speedcubers use the same standard formula. It is short, fast, and stays entirely in the middle of the cube.
(Note: "M" refers to the middle slice of the cube, and "U" refers to the top layer.)
M2 U M2 U2 M2 U M2
To get your solve time down, you cannot just turn the layers one by one. You need to use specific finger movements to keep your momentum going. Since this case relies entirely on the middle slice, focus on these three techniques:
The M2 Double Flick: This is the secret to a fast solve. Do not use your wrist to turn the middle layer twice. Instead, use your left hand's ring finger followed immediately by your middle finger to pull the back-bottom of the middle slice upward. This creates two quick turns in one smooth motion.
The U2 Snap: When you reach the U2 part of the moveset, use your right hand's index finger and then your middle finger to flick the top layer twice. Just like the M-turn, this double-flick is much faster than using one finger to push the layer twice.
Keep a Light Grip: A common mistake for Rubik's Cube is holding the cube too tightly. If your thumbs press too hard on the front centers, the middle slice will get stuck. Keep your grip loose and your thumbs near the bottom so the middle layer can move freely.
Combining these flicks makes the entire sequence feel like one continuous, rhythmic motion rather than seven separate turns.
Knowing the moves is only half the battle. To make this case a true time-saver in your real runs, you need to turn those movements into pure muscle memory. Here are three practical ways to drill this pattern and drop your times:
This specific moveset is its own inverse. This means if you execute the algorithm six times in a row on a solved cube, the cube will return to a perfectly solved state.
How to do it: Hold a solved cube and run the sequence six times without stopping.
The Goal: Use this loop to track your raw execution speed. Time yourself and try to complete all six rounds smoothly without a single lock-up.
Trying to turn too fast usually causes your fingers to trip, leading to frustrating lock-ups.
How to do it: Start by turning at a medium, comfortable pace. Make sure the transition between the M2 pull and the U flick feels completely seamless.
The Goal: Eliminate the microscopic pauses between the moves. A smooth, steady solve is always faster than a jerky, fast-and-stop execution.
The biggest time-waster in speedcubing is not the turning itself, but it is the pause between steps. Many cubers finish orientation (OLL) and then freeze for a second to figure out what to do next.
How to do it: As you finish your last OLL turn, force your eyes to look for the opposite color bars we talked about earlier.
The Goal: Train your brain to recognize the pattern early so your fingers can launch into the first M2 turn the exact millisecond your OLL ends.
With a loose grip and proper double-flicks, this pattern will quickly become the fastest part of your entire solve. Grab your cube, try out the ring-and-middle finger pull, and see how much time you can shave off your next personal best. If you want to optimize the rest of your last-layer cases, feel free to explore our full interactive algorithm library!
Yes, H Perm is generally considered a beginner-to-intermediate CFOP algorithm. It is relatively short, has a simple finger trick flow, and is one of the first PLL cases many cubers learn. Most beginners can learn and execute it comfortably after becoming familiar with basic CFOP concepts.
You should use H Perm during the PLL (Permutation of the Last Layer) stage when all the last-layer pieces are correctly oriented, but the four edge pieces need to swap positions in opposite pairs while all four corners are already solved.
Yes, you can solve H Perm without M moves by using alternative algorithms that rely on R, U, and other face turns. However, most speedcubers prefer the standard M-move algorithm because it is shorter, faster, and more efficient.
Most cubers consider U Perm and H Perm to be among the easiest PLL cases. Compared with H Perm, many beginners find Ua Perm and Ub Perm easier because they use simple move sequences and straightforward recognition. H Perm is still generally regarded as one of the easiest PLL cases to learn and execute.
