2-Look PLL
Once the top is all yellow, PLL moves the last-layer pieces into place. Full PLL has 21 cases. 2-look PLL does it in two steps with only six algorithms: corners first, then edges.
Look 1: the corners
Look at the side stickers of the top corners. Two corners on one side with the same colour are called headlights.
| You see | Do this |
|---|---|
 Headlights on one side | Turn the top so the headlights are on the left, then T perm: R U R' U' R' F R2 U' R' U' R U R' F' |
 No headlights anywhere | Y perm, from any angle: F R U' R' U' R U R' F' R U R' U' R' F R F' |
| Headlights on all four sides | The corners are done. Go to look 2. |
T perm: swaps the two right-hand corners (and two edges).
After this, turn the top until the corners match their side centres. The edges may still be wrong.
Look 2: the edges
Ua permM2 U M U2 M' U M2
Ub permM2 U' M U2 M' U' M2
H permM2 U M2 U2 M2 U M2
Z permM' U M2 U M2 U M' U2 M2- One side fully solved: hold it at the back. Ua or Ub cycles the other three edges. If one doesn’t work, the other will.
- No side solved, opposite edges swapped: H perm.
- No side solved, neighbouring edges swapped: Z perm. Hold it so the front and right edges need to swap.
Ua perm: three edges cycle round, the back stays put.
M is the middle slice, turned like L. If you prefer not to use M moves, Ua can also be done as R U' R U R U R U' R' U' R2.
Ready for more? Full PLL has all 21 cases with pictures.
Questions people ask
How many algorithms are in 2 look PLL?
Six: T and Y perm for the corners, then Ua, Ub, H and Z for the edges.
Is 2 look PLL enough to get fast?
It is enough for sub-30 and often sub-20 times. Learning full PLL saves about a second per solve.