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CMLL algorithms are a key part of the Roux method. After you finish the first two blocks, CMLL helps you solve the last layer corners before moving on to LSE. A simple way to learn it is to start with 2-look CMLL, get used to case recognition, and then add full CMLL cases when you are ready. In this guide, you will learn what CMLL means, which cases to learn first, and how to practice without making it harder than it needs to be.
CMLL stands for Corners of the Last Layer. In the Roux method, it comes after the first two blocks and before LSE. The goal is to solve the four top layer corners by fixing their direction and position. Once the corners are solved, you can move on to the last six edges with a cleaner cube state.
CMLL is used in the Roux method, while OLL and PLL are used in CFOP. OLL changes the direction of the last layer pieces, and PLL moves those pieces into the right spots. CMLL is different. It solves only the last layer corners, but it handles both their direction and position in one step.
That means CMLL does not try to finish the whole last layer. The last layer edges are left for LSE. If you are coming from CFOP, you can think of CMLL as a corner focused last layer step for Roux.
Full CMLL has 42 cases. Each case solves the four last layer corners from a different pattern. That number may sound like a lot at first, but you do not need to learn all of them right away.
A better way to start is 2 look CMLL. In 2 look CMLL, you solve the corners in two smaller steps instead of using one algorithm for every case. After you feel comfortable with the basic cases and recognition, you can slowly add full CMLL cases to make your solves faster.
2-look CMLL is the easiest way to start learning CMLL. You do not need to know all 42 cases at the beginning. In 2-look CMLL, you solve the last layer corners in two smaller steps. First, you turn the corner stickers to the right direction. Then, you move the corners to the right places. Once you understand these two steps, full CMLL will feel much easier to learn later.
Before you start drilling cases, make sure your cube state is easy to check. If you lose track of the pieces or want to reset the cube before practice, CubeSolver AI can help you scan your cube with the camera or enter the colors manually. It supports 2x2, 3x3, and 4x4 cubes, then gives you clear step-by-step moves to follow.
Start by looking at the four corners on the top layer. Your first goal is to make the top color face upward on all four corners. Do not worry about the last layer edges here. CMLL is focused on corners, so the edge pieces can stay unsolved for now.
Two common cases to learn first are Sune and Antisune. They are easy to spot, quick to perform, and useful in many last layer situations.
| Case | How to recognize it | Algorithm |
|---|---|---|
| Sune | One top corner faces up, and the other three need to turn | R U R' U R U2 R' |
| Antisune | One top corner faces up, with a mirrored corner pattern | R U2 R' U' R U' R' |
After using one of these algorithms, check the top layer corners again. If all four top color stickers face upward, you can move to the next step.
Now the corners face the right way, but they may still be in the wrong spots. Look at the side colors of the four corners. If two corners already match the side color, hold those solved corners in the correct position before using the next algorithm.
| Case | How to recognize it | Algorithm |
|---|---|---|
| Adjacent corner swap | Two correct corners are next to each other | R U R' F' R U R' U' R' F R2 U' R' |
| Diagonal corner swap | No two correct corners are next to each other | F R U' R' U' R U R' F' R U R' U' R' F R F' |
When this step is done, all four last layer corners should be solved. The edges may still look unfinished, and that is normal. In Roux, those edges are solved later during LSE.
Do not try to rush the algorithms on day one. Start slowly and focus on seeing the case before turning. A simple practice plan works better:
The main goal is not to memorize moves as fast as possible. The goal is to see the corner pattern, choose the right algorithm, and finish the step without long pauses.
Full CMLL solves the last layer corners in one step. Instead of fixing corner direction first and corner position later, you look at the full corner pattern and use one algorithm to finish all four corners. There are 42 cases in total, so the best way to learn them is by case group.
Do not try to memorize the whole set in one sitting. Start with the groups that are easy to recognize, then add more cases after your 2 look CMLL feels stable. The algorithms below are common choices that many Roux solvers use as a starting point.
Sune cases usually have one top corner facing up. Many solvers learn these early since the patterns are easy to spot and the moves feel natural.
Recognition tip: One corner faces up, and the other three corners need to turn.
Algorithm: R U R' U R U2 R'
Recognition tip: The corner direction looks like Sune, but the side colors show that the corners also need to move.
Algorithm: R U R' U R U2 R' U R U2 R'
Antisune looks like the mirror of Sune. If you already know Sune, this group is a good next step.
Recognition tip: One corner faces up, but the pattern is mirrored from Sune.
Algorithm: R U2 R' U' R U' R'
Recognition tip: The top pattern looks like Antisune, and the side colors do not match yet.
Algorithm: R U2 R' U' R U' R' U' R U' R'
Pi cases have no top corners facing up. You will often see two corner stickers facing the same side, which makes the group easier to spot after some practice.
Recognition tip: No top corner faces up, and one side has two matching corner stickers.
Algorithm: R U2 R2 U' R2 U' R2 U2 R
Recognition tip: No top corner faces up, and the side colors look split.
Algorithm: F R U R' U' R U R' U' F'
U cases have two top corners facing up. They can look simple at first, but the side colors matter a lot. Check the corners before choosing an algorithm.
Recognition tip: Two top corners face up, and two side stickers form a matching bar.
Algorithm: R U R' U R U' R' U R U2 R'
Recognition tip: Two top corners face up, but there is no clear matching bar on the side.
Algorithm: R U2 R' U' R U' R2 F' R U R U' R' F
T cases also have two top corners facing up. The pattern often looks more balanced than a U case, so look at both the top stickers and the side stickers.
Recognition tip: Two top corners face up, and the side stickers form a T like pattern.
Algorithm: R U R' U' R' F R2 U' R' U' R U R' F'
Recognition tip: The T shape appears on the opposite side or feels mirrored.
Algorithm: F R U' R' U' R U R' F' R U R' U' R' F R F'
L cases have two top corners facing up next to each other. These cases are usually easy to see once you learn to check the corner stickers first.
Recognition tip: Two top corners face up next to each other, and one side has a small matching block.
Algorithm: R U2 R' U' R U R' U' R U' R'
Recognition tip: Two top corners face up next to each other, but the side colors do not line up.
Algorithm: R' U2 R U R' U' R U R' U R
H cases have no top corners facing up. Unlike Pi cases, the side stickers often look like two pairs of headlights.
Recognition tip: No top corner faces up, and two sides have matching corner stickers.
Algorithm: R U R' U R U' R' U R U2 R'
Recognition tip: The same no top corner pattern appears, but the matching side stickers sit in the mirrored position.
Algorithm: R U2 R' U' R U R' U' R U' R'
Some full CMLL cases start with all corner stickers already facing up. The corners may still need to move, so do not skip recognition after you see a solved top color.
Recognition tip: All top corner stickers face up, and two correct corners sit next to each other.
Algorithm: R U R' F' R U R' U' R' F R2 U' R'
Recognition tip: All top corner stickers face up, but no two correct corners sit next to each other.
Algorithm: F R U' R' U' R U R' F' R U R' U' R' F R F'
Pick one group and stay with it until you can recognize the cases without guessing. Sune and Antisune are good starting points. After that, add U and T cases, then move to Pi, L, H, and the solved corner cases. The goal is not to collect as many formulas as possible. The real goal is to see the corner pattern quickly, choose the right move set, and enter LSE without losing time.
You do not need to learn CMLL cases in random order. A better way is to start with the patterns that are easy to see and easy to turn. This helps you build confidence before adding harder cases.
Start with Sune and Antisune first. These two patterns show up often, and the moves are short. After that, learn the solved corner cases, such as adjacent corner swap and diagonal corner swap. These are useful when the top color already faces up on all four corners.
Once those feel natural, move to U and T cases. They are common and easier to recognize than many Pi, L, and H cases. Save the harder groups for later, especially cases where the side colors are not easy to read. A simple learning order can look like this:
Do not treat this order as a strict rule. If one group feels easier for you, learn it earlier. The important part is to build a set you can actually use in real solves. Ten CMLL cases that you recognize quickly are more useful than 30 cases that make you pause every time.
CMLL is not only about memorizing algorithms. Recognition matters just as much. If you need five seconds to find the case, a fast algorithm will not save much time. Good practice should help you see the corner pattern before your hands start turning.
Start by checking the top stickers first. Count how many last layer corners have the top color facing up. This usually tells you the case group:
| Top corners facing up | Common group |
|---|---|
| 0 corners | Pi or H |
| 1 corner | Sune or Antisune |
| 2 corners | U, T, or L |
| 4 corners | Solved corner cases |
After that, check the side stickers. Look for headlights, bars, blocks, or matching side colors. These small details help you choose the exact case inside the group. A useful practice routine is:
At first, do not time this step. Your goal is to build clear recognition. Once you can name the group quickly, start timing only the CMLL part. Later, put it back into full solves so you can practice the transition from second block to CMLL and then into LSE.
You can also drill cases in small groups. For example, spend one day on Sune and Antisune, another day on U cases, and another day on solved corner cases. Mixing all 42 cases too early can make recognition feel messy. Small groups make the patterns easier to remember.
CMLL becomes much easier when you learn it in layers instead of trying to memorize every case at once. Start with 2-look CMLL, build strong recognition, then add full cases by group. As your case set grows, your Roux solves will feel smoother, with fewer pauses between the second block, corner solving, and LSE.
CMLL is mainly used in the Roux method. It fits Roux well since the first two blocks are solved before the last layer corners, and the last six edges are handled afterward in LSE. Some ideas from CMLL can also overlap with other corner-solving systems, but most cubers learn CMLL specifically for Roux.
No. CMLL and COLL both solve last layer corners, but they are used in different situations. COLL is usually used in CFOP when the top cross is already solved. CMLL is used in Roux, where the last layer edges do not need to be solved before the corner step.
You should understand the basic idea of LSE before learning full CMLL. If you only know CMLL but cannot finish the last six edges, your Roux solves will still feel incomplete. A good order is to learn beginner Roux, practice basic CMLL or 2-look CMLL, then improve LSE and full CMLL together.
It depends on how often you practice and how comfortable you are with recognition. Learning the moves may take a few weeks, but using all 42 cases smoothly in real solves usually takes longer. Most cubers improve faster when they add a few cases at a time instead of memorizing the whole set in one push.
No, you can get much faster with strong blocks, good lookahead, and solid 2-look CMLL. Full CMLL helps reduce pauses and move count, but it is not the only thing that matters. If your first two blocks or LSE are slow, learning more CMLL cases may not give you the biggest improvement yet.
Full solves add pressure. You may finish the second block from a bad angle, rush the first look, or ignore the side stickers. To fix this, slow down before CMLL and force yourself to identify the group first. Speed should come after the pattern feels automatic.
