The Rubik's Cube is a challenging puzzle, but with some patience and practice, anyone can learn how to solve it. One of the first and most important steps in solving the Rubik's Cube is creating the "white cross". This guide will help you understand how to solve a Rubik's Cube white cross, step by step, making it easier for you to move on to more advanced stages of solving the puzzle.
Why Start with the White Cross?
The white cross Rubik's Cube is the first step in the most common method of solving the Rubik's Cube 3x3, known as the CFOP method (Cross, F2L, OLL, and PLL). Starting with the Rubik's Cube white cross helps you get comfortable with the cube's basic mechanics and introduces you to the fundamental idea of matching colors and positions before moving on to more complex algorithms.
What Is the White Cross?
In Rubik's Cube terminology, the white cross on Rubik's Cube refers to positioning the four white edge pieces around the white center piece, such that they not only match the white color but also align with the center pieces of the adjacent faces. This step is vital because it sets up the rest of the puzzle-solving process.
Good White Cross vs. Bad White Cross

When learning how to get the white cross on a Rubik's Cube, it's important to understand the difference between a good white cross and a bad white cross.
- Good White Cross: A good white cross not only has the white edge pieces surrounding the white center but also has each white edge piece correctly aligned with the center pieces of the adjacent faces. This alignment ensures that the cross is in its ideal position and ready for the next steps in solving the Rubik's Cube. A good white cross will make it easier to proceed with solving the rest of the cubeefficiently.
- Bad White Cross: A bad white cross, on the other hand, may have the white edges surrounding the white center but might not be aligned with the center pieces of the adjacent sides. This misalignment means the cross is not fully functional, and you'll need to make extra moves to get the edge pieces into their correct positions later. A bad white cross can slow you down, especially in speedcubing, as you'll have to fix the alignment before continuing with the solve.
It's important to focus on creating a good white cross from the beginning to ensure a smoother solving experience.
How to Get the White Cross on a Rubik's Cube
Before diving into solving the white cross on Rubik's Cube, it's important to understand the cube's structure. The Rubik's Cube consists of 6 colored sides, each with a center piece that never moves. The edge pieces are located between the center pieces, and the corner pieces are located where three sides meet.
- Center Pieces: Fixed in place, these determine the color of each side.
- Edge Pieces: These have two colors and connect the center pieces.
- Corner Pieces: These have three colors and occupy the corners of the cube.
Step 1: Fix the White Center Piece
The first thing to know about solving the white cross Rubik's Cube is that the white center piece stays in place throughout the puzzle. This is your reference point, and you need to build the white cross around it. The goal is to have the four white edge pieces surrounding the white center, making sure they align with the center pieces of the adjacent sides.
Step 2: Identify the White Edge Pieces
There are four white edge pieces on the Rubik's Cube, each located on a different face. These pieces are typically easy to identify because they have one white color and one color that is different (like blue, orange, green, or red).
Your task in this step is to locate all four white edge pieces. They will not initially be in the correct position, so you'll need to move them into place one at a time.
Step 3: Position the White Edge Pieces
Now that you've located the white edge pieces, it's time to move them into position around the white center piece. You'll need to make sure that each white edge piece is aligned not only with the white center piece but also with the center pieces of the adjacent faces.
Position 1: White-Blue Edge

Let's start with the white-blue edge. You need to find the white-blue edge piece and place it between the white and blue center pieces. Rotate the face of the cube where this edge piece is located until it lines up with the white and blue centers.
Position 2: White-Red Edge
Next, find the white-red edge and move it between the white and red center pieces. Rotate the corresponding face until it aligns properly with the white and red centers.
Position 3: White-Orange Edge
Locate the white-orange edge piece and align it between the white and orange center pieces, just like you did with the other edges.
Position 4: White-Green Edge
Lastly, find the white-green edge piece and place it between the white and green center pieces. Rotate the face of the cube to make sure it's perfectly aligned.
Step 4: Check the Alignment
Once all four white edge pieces are in position, take a moment to check that the edges are not only surrounding the white center but also aligned with the adjacent center pieces. If everything is lined up correctly, you have completed the white cross on Rubik's cube!
Practice and Tips for Solving Rubik's Cube White Cross
The white cross on Rubik's Cube may seem tricky at first, but with practice, you'll be able to do it quickly and efficiently. Here are a few helpful tips to make the process smoother:
- Start slow: Don't rush through the steps. Focus on understanding how the cube works before trying to move faster.
- Look for patterns: As you practice, you'll start noticing patterns in how pieces move. This will help you solve the white cross Rubik's Cube more easily.
- Use the right fingers: Many cubers use their index and thumb fingers to rotate the cube. This helps speed up your movements.
- Try different angles: Sometimes, looking at the cube from a different angle can help you see a solution that wasn't obvious before.
How to Solve Rubik's Cube After White Cross
Once you've completed the white cross on Rubik's cube, you're not done yet! The next step is figuring out how to solve a Rubik's cube after white cross. This typically involves solving the first two layers (F2L), followed by the orientation of the last layer (OLL), and finally, permuting the last layer (PLL) to finish the cube. But don't worry, after mastering the white cross, you'll be well on your way to solving the entire cube.
Need Extra Help? Try the Cube Solver App!
If you're looking for additional help to solve your Rubik's Cube, or if you're just getting started and need some guidance, the AI Cube Solver app is a perfect solution.
This app works with 2x2, 3x3, and 4x4 cubes, offering step-by-step visual solutions for each stage of the puzzle. Whether you're struggling with a Rubik's Cube or need help with more advanced steps, the Cube Solver app provides simple and easy-to-follow instructions.
Step 1. Download and install the Cube Solver app on your mobile device.
Step 2. Open the app and upload the state of your scrambled cube by scanning or manually filling in the colors on each side of the virtual cube on the screen.

Step 3. Wait for the app to generate the solution. Once it finishes, follow the on-screen visual instructions to solve your Rubik's cube.
Final Words
Solving the white cross Rubik's Cube is an essential first step in mastering the Rubik's Cube. Once you get the hang of it, you'll gain confidence in solving the rest of the puzzle. Remember, practice is key, and don't get discouraged if it takes some time to figure out. Each time you solve the white cross Rubik's Cube, you're one step closer to solving the entire Rubik's Cube! Keep at it, and soon you'll be a Rubik's Cube expert.
Rubik's Cube White Cross FAQ
Q: What is cross in Rubik's cube?
In the Rubik's Cube, the cross refers to the arrangement of edge pieces of a single color (usually white) around its corresponding center piece. The goal of the white cross on Rubik's Cube is to position the four white edge pieces around the white center piece, ensuring that they are not only on the white face but also correctly aligned with the center pieces of the adjacent faces. This is the first step in solving the Rubik's Cube, and completing the cross correctly is essential for progressing to the next stages of the puzzle.
Q: How many moves to solve white cross?
The number of moves needed to solve the white cross on Rubik's Cube can vary depending on the initial state of the cube and your familiarity with the puzzle. Typically, it can take anywhere from 8 to 12 moves to complete the white cross if you're using efficient strategies. However, beginners may take more moves as they learn to position the edge pieces properly. With practice and familiarity with the cube's mechanics, you can decrease the number of moves required to solve the white cross efficiently.