The CFOP Method
CFOP is the method most speedcubers use, including most world record holders. The name stands for its four steps: Cross, F2L, OLL, PLL. It is also called the Fridrich method, after one of the people who made it popular in the 1990s.
The four steps
| Step | What you do | Algorithms | Moves (about) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross | Make the white cross on the bottom, planned during inspection. | None, worked out | 6–8 |
| F2L | Pair each white corner with its middle edge and insert them together, four times. | 41 cases, usually learnt intuitively | 25–30 |
| OLL | Make the whole top yellow in one algorithm. | 57 (or 10 for 2-look) | 8–12 |
| PLL | Move the top pieces into place in one algorithm. | 21 (or 6 for 2-look) | 10–14 |
That is about 55 to 60 moves in total, compared with 100 or more for the beginner’s method.
A good order to learn it
- Cross on the bottom. Stop making the cross on top and flipping it. It feels slow for a week, then becomes faster.
- Intuitive F2L. This is where the biggest time saving is.
- 2-look OLL and 2-look PLL. Sixteen algorithms in total.
- Full PLL (21 cases), because you see each one more often than any single OLL.
- Full OLL (57 cases), a group at a time.
- Throughout: finger tricks and look-ahead.
What times to expect
- Beginner’s method: often 1 to 2 minutes, and with practice under a minute.
- Cross on the bottom, intuitive F2L, 2-look last layer: 30 to 40 seconds is common, and many get under 25.
- Full CFOP with good look-ahead: under 15 seconds, and the best in the world average under 4 seconds (see world records).
Not sure CFOP suits you? Compare it with Roux, ZZ and others on our solving methods page. To track your progress use the cube timer.
Questions people ask
What does CFOP stand for?
Cross, F2L (first two layers), OLL (orient last layer) and PLL (permute last layer).
How many algorithms is full CFOP?
78 for the last layer (57 OLL and 21 PLL), plus 41 F2L cases that most people solve intuitively.
Is CFOP the fastest method?
It is the most popular among top solvers, but Roux and ZZ are just as capable. The best method is the one you enjoy practising.