Step 5: How to Match the Yellow Edges
Turn the yellow edges so each one matches the centre colour on its side. You need one algorithm, often called the Sune.
The algorithm
R U R' U R U2 R' and then one more U. It moves three of the top edges round, while the yellow cross stays yellow.
Step by step
- Turn the top all the way round and check: how many edges can you get to match their side centres at the same time? Usually two.
- If two edges next to each other match, hold the cube so those two are at the back and on the right. Do R U R' U R U2 R' U. All four now match.
- If two opposite edges match (front and back, or left and right), do the algorithm once from any angle. Now two edges next to each other will match, so go back to the step above.
- If all four match, great, you are already done.
Matching edges at the back and right: one go fixes the front and left.
The corners will probably look a mess now. That is fine: steps 6 and 7 deal with them.
Practise step 5 in the trainer
Tip: Turn the top all the way round before you start: sometimes all four edges already match.
Questions people ask
What if no edges match however I turn the top?
There are always at least two that can match at the same time. Turn the top slowly through all four positions and check again.
Why add a U at the end?
The algorithm leaves the top a quarter turn away. The U lines everything up.