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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.
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U Perm is one of the most common PLL cases in CFOP, and it is also one of the easiest to learn once you know what to look for. It only swaps three last-layer edge pieces while the corners stay solved, which makes Ua and Ub simple to recognize with a solved bar on the top layer. In this guide, you'll learn what U Perm is, how to tell Ua and Ub apart, which algorithms to use, and how to practice them for faster, smoother solves.
U Perm is one of the first PLL cases most speedcubers learn in CFOP. In this case, all four corners are already solved, so you only need to move the top-layer edges into the correct spots. There are two versions:
Ua Perm: edges cycle clockwise
Ub Perm: edges cycle counterclockwise
The pattern is easy to spot during solves. You'll usually see a solved bar on one side of the top layer while the other three edges need to cycle around.
| Case | Edge Movement | Common Look |
|---|---|---|
| Ua Perm | Clockwise cycle | Solved bar on the left |
| Ub Perm | Counterclockwise cycle | Solved bar on the right |
Most cubers learn Ua and Ub very early since the algorithms are short and easy to memorize. With good finger tricks, advanced solvers can execute both cases in under one second.
Ua Perm is the version where the top-layer edges move clockwise. The easiest way to recognize it is by looking for a solved bar and tracking where the unsolved edges need to go.In most cases, you'll see:
A solved bar on the left side.
Three edges cycling clockwise.
No solved front face.
Instead of checking every sticker, focus on the direction the edges need to move. If the pieces need to shift toward the right, it's usually Ua.
Ub Perm looks very similar to Ua, but the edges move in the opposite direction. Once you know the difference between clockwise and counterclockwise movement, both cases become much easier to recognize during PLL. For Ub, you'll usually notice:
A solved bar on the right side.
Three edges cycling counterclockwise.
The front face is not solved.
Both versions of this PLL case are fast and beginner friendly. Most speedcubers use M-slice algorithms since they are short, smooth, and easy to turn at high speed.
If the M-slice algorithms still feel awkward, practicing with an interactive Rubik's Cube simulator can make the turning patterns easier to follow. Tools like CubeSolver AI let you test PLL algorithms, practice finger movement visually, and train cases directly from your browser or mobile device without needing a physical cube.
Use this algorithm when the edges need to cycle clockwise. Before starting, keep the solved bar on the left side.
M2 U M U2 M' U M2
The turning flow is simple once the M moves feel comfortable. This is also one of the fastest beginner-friendly PLL algorithms to execute consistently.
Use this version when the edges cycle counterclockwise. Hold the solved bar on the right side before performing the algorithm.
M2 U' M U2 M' U' M2
Ub is very similar to Ua, so most cubers learn both at the same time. The only major difference is the U and U' direction.
Even though this is one of the easier PLL cases, small execution mistakes can still slow down your solves. Better turning and cleaner recognition usually make a bigger difference than learning new algorithms.
The standard Ua and Ub algorithms use M moves, which means turning the middle layer between the left and right sides of the cube. If those turns feel rough or uneven, the algorithm will slow down quickly. Try to keep the movement light and continuous instead of forcing each turn individually.
A common mistake is recognizing the case too late. Many faster solvers already look for the solved bar during the final OLL moves, which helps them start PLL immediately without pausing.
Ua and Ub use very similar movement patterns, so practicing them together helps you recognize both cases faster and avoid mixing them up during solves.
Extra hand movements can slow this PLL down more than the algorithm itself. The standard M-slice versions work best when your hands stay in the same position from start to finish. If you keep regripping during execution, practice the algorithm at a slower speed until the movement feels natural.
Ua and Ub are some of the most practical PLL cases to learn early in CFOP. Once the recognition feels automatic and the M moves become smoother, both algorithms can be executed very quickly with minimal effort. After getting comfortable with these cases, the next step is usually learning more advanced PLLs and improving overall last-layer recognition speed.
Yes. U Perm can be solved without M moves by using R/U-based algorithms, which may feel easier if your slice turns are not stable yet. Still, the common M-slice Ua and Ub algorithms are usually shorter and faster once practiced, so no-M versions are better as a temporary choice than a long-term replacement.
Ua and Ub both appear often in CFOP solves, so you should practice them equally. Instead of worrying about which one is more common, focus on recognizing the solved edge and checking whether the other three edges need to cycle clockwise or counterclockwise.
You only need advanced U Perm algorithms if the standard M-slice versions clearly slow you down. For most cubers, faster recognition, cleaner M turns, and fewer pauses will improve your times more than switching to a new algorithm.
Yes. U Perm is short, common, and easy to drill, so it helps you train PLL recognition, M-slice control, and the transition from OLL to PLL. Try spotting the solved edge before your hands stop after OLL, so you can start PLL with less hesitation.
