Step 4: How to Make the Yellow Cross
Make a yellow cross on top. Don't worry about the corners yet. You will see one of four patterns on top. One algorithm takes you from each pattern to the next.
The algorithm
F R U R' U' F': front clockwise, then the familiar R U R’ U’, then front anticlockwise. It only changes the top layer, so your first two layers stay safe.
What to do for each pattern
- Dot (only the yellow centre): do the algorithm from any angle. You will get an L shape.
- L shape: turn the top so the L points to the back and the left (like the picture), then do the algorithm. You will get a line.
- Line: turn the top so the line goes from left to right, then do the algorithm. Now you have the cross.
Don’t worry about the yellow corners or whether the cross edges match the side colours. That comes next.
A line, held left to right, becomes a cross.
Faster solvers do the L shape in one go with F U R U' R' F', and later learn to make the whole top yellow at once with OLL algorithms.
Practise step 4 in the trainer
Tip: This step never breaks the first two layers, so you can repeat the moves without worrying.
Questions people ask
Do the cross edges need to match the side colours here?
No, not yet. Step 5 sorts that out.
I keep getting the dot again. Why?
The L shape or line was held the wrong way. Point the L to the back-left, and hold the line left to right.