Easy Rubik’s Cube Patterns: 31 Tested Designs With Moves and Undo Steps
Quick answer: The easiest Rubik’s Cube pattern is the checkerboard. Hold a solved cube with white on top and green in front, then do M2 E2 S2 (or U2 D2 F2 B2 L2 R2 if you only want face turns). Below are 31 Rubik’s Cube patterns with moves, sorted from easy to hard. Every sequence was run on a computer cube model, and each one comes with its undo moves.
Patterns are the fun side of cubing. You don’t need to know how to solve the cube to make them. You only need a solved cube and the move letters. We tested every sequence on this page with a 3×3 cube simulator. For each pattern we checked that it makes the shape described, that the undo moves return it to solved, and how many times you can repeat it before the cube solves itself again. The colors in the diagrams assume the standard color scheme (white opposite yellow, green opposite blue, red opposite orange), held the way the World Cube Association holds cubes for scrambling: white on top and green in front.
Key takeaways
- Always start from a solved cube held with white on top and green in front. The same moves make the same shape with any hold, but the colors change.
- 11 of these patterns take 10 moves or fewer. The checkerboard, Plus and minus and Vertical stripes need only half turns.
- 19 of the 31 patterns undo themselves. Just do the same moves again. For the others, read the moves backwards and turn each face the other way.
- The Superflip (pattern 30) is the famous position that needs 20 moves. In 2010 a research team proved that no position needs more than 20 (cube20.org).
Contents
- How to read the moves
- Easy Rubik’s Cube patterns (1–11)
- Medium patterns (11 to 15 moves, 12–21)
- Hard and showpiece patterns (22–31)
- Printable cheat sheet: all 31 patterns
- The repeat trick: why patterns undo themselves
- Why your pattern looks wrong
- FAQ
How to Read Rubik’s Cube Pattern Moves
Each letter is one turn. The face letters follow the official notation in Article 12 of the WCA Regulations. The slice letters M, E and S are not in the WCA rules, but cubers use them widely (see the Ruwix notation guide).
| Letter | What to turn | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| R, L, U, D, F, B | Right, Left, Up (top), Down (bottom), Front, Back face | A quarter turn clockwise, as if you were looking straight at that face |
| ‘ (prime), e.g. R’ | The same face | A quarter turn counterclockwise |
| 2, e.g. U2 | The same face | A half turn (direction doesn’t matter) |
| M | Middle layer between L and R | Same direction as L |
| E | Equator layer between U and D | Same direction as D |
| S | Standing layer between F and B | Same direction as F |
B and D are the tricky ones, because you look at them from the back and from below. The color diagrams under each pattern show the top face and the front face after the moves (⬜ white, 🟨 yellow, 🟩 green, 🟦 blue, 🟥 red, 🟧 orange). If notation is new to you, our Rubik’s Cube trivia questions cover the basics, such as what the letters stand for and who invented the cube.
Easy Rubik’s Cube Patterns (1–11)
These take 10 moves or fewer, and most of them use half turns only. That makes them great first patterns for kids and beginners.
1. Checkerboard (3 moves)
Moves: M2 E2 S2
Same pattern with face turns only (6 moves): U2 D2 F2 B2 L2 R2
Every face turns into a 3×3 chessboard of its own color and the opposite color: white with yellow, green with blue, red with orange. It is the most famous Rubik’s Cube pattern and the easiest one to learn.
Top:
⬜🟨⬜
🟨⬜🟨
⬜🟨⬜ Front:
🟩🟦🟩
🟦🟩🟦
🟩🟦🟩
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
2. Plus and minus (6 moves)
Moves: U2 R2 L2 U2 R2 L2
The top and bottom stay solid. The front and back show a plus sign in their own color with opposite-color corners, while the left and right faces show a thick horizontal bar (a minus sign).
Top:
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜ Front:
🟦🟩🟦
🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟩🟦
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
3. Vertical stripes (6 moves)
Moves: R2 B2 L2 R2 B2 L2
The top and bottom stay solid. Each side face keeps its own color down the middle column, with the opposite color on both outer columns, so the cube looks striped.
Top:
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜ Front:
🟦🟩🟦
🟦🟩🟦
🟦🟩🟦
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
4. Checkerboard on four sides (8 moves)
Moves: R2 B2 L2 R2 B2 L2 U2 D2
This is Vertical stripes plus two extra half turns (U2 D2). The four side faces become checkerboards while the top and bottom stay solid white and yellow.
Top:
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜ Front:
🟩🟦🟩
🟦🟩🟦
🟩🟦🟩
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
5. Letter I (8 moves)
Moves: R2 U2 D2 L2 F2 U2 D2 B2
Each side face shows a capital I in its own color: the top row, the bottom row and the center. The two middle-row edges switch to the opposite color.
Top:
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜ Front:
🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟩🟦
🟩🟩🟩
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
6. Letter H (10 moves)
Moves: U2 R2 L2 F2 B2 U2 R2 L2 F2 B2
Each side face shows a capital H: both side columns and the center stay in the face’s own color, and the top-middle and bottom-middle squares switch to the opposite color.
Top:
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜ Front:
🟩🟦🟩
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟦🟩
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
7. Six spots (8 moves)
Moves: U D' R L' F B' U D'
Each face becomes one solid color with a single different-colored center, so it looks like the centers swapped places. They didn’t: centers on a 3×3 never move during face turns. Everything around them moved.
Top:
🟩🟩🟩
🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩 Front:
🟥🟥🟥
🟥🟩🟥
🟥🟥🟥
To undo: D U' B F' L R' D U' Repeat-to-solve number: 3 (doing the full sequence 3 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
8. Four spots (8 moves)
Moves: F2 B2 U D' R2 L2 U D'
4-move slice version: M2 E M2 E' makes the same four-spot look with the colors reversed (a spot of the opposite color on each side face), because slice moves carry the centers with them.
The top and bottom stay solid. Each side face is a solid ring in the opposite color around its own center, so you see four bright spots around the cube.
Top:
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜ Front:
🟦🟦🟦
🟦🟩🟦
🟦🟦🟦
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
9. Letter T (10 moves)
Moves: B2 L2 R2 F2 D' L2 B2 F2 R2 U'
Each side face shows a T in its own color: a full top row plus the middle column. The other four squares switch to the opposite color. Only two of the ten moves are quarter turns.
Top:
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜ Front:
🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟩🟦
🟦🟩🟦
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
10. Six T’s (9 moves)
Moves: F2 R2 U2 F' B D2 L2 F B
Every one of the six faces shows a T shape, and the T’s point in different directions. Look at the top: the T lies on its side.
Top:
🟨🟨⬜
⬜⬜⬜
🟨🟨⬜ Front:
🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟩🟦
🟦🟩🟦
To undo: B' F' L2 D2 B' F U2 R2 F2 Repeat-to-solve number: 6 (doing the full sequence 6 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
11. Tetris (8 moves)
Moves: L R F B U' D' L' R'
Every face fills with interlocking L-shaped blocks of two colors that look like pieces from the video game Tetris.
Top:
🟩🟩🟦
🟩⬜🟦
🟩🟦🟦 Front:
🟥🟧🟧
🟥🟩🟧
🟥🟥🟧
To undo: R L D U B' F' R' L' Repeat-to-solve number: 6 (doing the full sequence 6 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
Medium Rubik’s Cube Patterns (12–21)
These take 11 to 15 moves. Say the moves out loud or tick them off on paper so you don’t lose your place.
12. Four crosses (12 moves)
Moves: U2 R2 L2 F2 B2 U2 R2 L2 F2 B2 U2 D2
Make the Letter H, then add U2 D2. Each of the four side faces now shows a plus sign in its own color with opposite-color corners, and the top and bottom stay solid.
Top:
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜ Front:
🟦🟩🟦
🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟩🟦
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
13. Six crosses (11 moves)
Moves: U F B' L2 U2 L2 F' B U2 L2 U
All six faces show a plus sign in their own color, with the four corners in a different color. Compare it with Four crosses: this one decorates the top and bottom too.
Top:
🟨⬜🟨
⬜⬜⬜
🟨⬜🟨 Front:
🟥🟩🟥
🟩🟩🟩
🟥🟩🟥
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
14. Zigzag (12 moves)
Moves: R L F B R L F B R L F B
The same four moves done three times. The top and bottom stay solid, and a zigzag line of two colors runs across each side face.
Top:
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜ Front:
🟩🟦🟦
🟦🟩🟦
🟦🟦🟩
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
15. Opposite corners (12 moves)
Moves: R L U2 F2 D2 F2 R L F2 D2 B2 D2
The top and bottom each get a single spot in the center. On every side face, two diagonally opposite corners switch to a different color.
Top:
🟨🟨🟨
🟨⬜🟨
🟨🟨🟨 Front:
🟦🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟦
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
16. Letter n (12 moves)
Moves: B R' F' U2 L' D' B L U2 F U R'
Each side face shows a lowercase n. The n is in the color of the face to its right, so the front face shows a red n around a green center.
Top:
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜ Front:
🟥🟥🟥
🟥🟩🟥
🟥🟩🟥
To undo: R U' F' U2 L' B' D L U2 F R B' Repeat-to-solve number: 4 (doing the full sequence 4 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
17. Anaconda (14 moves)
Moves: L U B' U' R L' B R' F B' D R D' F'
A thick snake-like band of color winds through all six faces. It is one of several snake patterns cubers name after real snakes.
Top:
🟩⬜🟩
⬜⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩 Front:
🟥🟥🟥
🟩🟩🟥
🟥🟩🟥
To undo: F D R' D' B F' R B' L R' U B U' L' Repeat-to-solve number: 3 (doing the full sequence 3 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
18. Python (14 moves)
Moves: F2 R' B' U R' L F' L F' B D' R B L2
Another snake pattern. Bands of color snake up and down the faces, and the top and bottom each show two stripes.
Top:
🟨⬜🟨
🟨⬜🟨
🟨⬜🟨 Front:
🟥🟩🟥
🟩🟩🟥
🟥🟥🟥
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
19. Green mamba (13 moves)
Moves: R D R F R' F' B D R' U' B' U D2
A snake of color slides across the cube, with solid three-square bars on several faces. It is 13 moves, so it’s the shortest snake on this list.
Top:
🟥🟥🟥
⬜⬜⬜
🟥🟥🟥 Front:
🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨
To undo: D2 U' B U R D' B' F R F' R' D' R' Repeat-to-solve number: 12 (doing the full sequence 12 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
20. Black mamba (14 moves)
Moves: R D L F' R L' D R' U D' B U' R' D'
A close cousin of the Green mamba. The snake takes a slightly different path, so it is fun to make both and compare them side by side.
Top:
🟥⬜🟥
⬜⬜🟥
🟥🟥🟥 Front:
🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨
To undo: D R U B' D U' R D' L R' F L' D' R' Repeat-to-solve number: 12 (doing the full sequence 12 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
21. Cube in a cube (15 moves)
Moves: F L F U' R U F2 L2 U' L' B D' B' L2 U
A smaller 2x2x2 cube seems to sit inside one corner of the big cube. Look at the top-front-right corner to see it. This is one of the best-known cube patterns.
Top:
🟩🟩🟩
🟩⬜⬜
🟩⬜⬜ Front:
🟥🟩🟩
🟥🟩🟩
🟥🟥🟥
To undo: U' L2 B D B' L U L2 F2 U' R' U F' L' F' Repeat-to-solve number: 3 (doing the full sequence 3 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
Hard and Showpiece Patterns (22–31)
These take 16 to 23 moves. They look the most impressive, and one wrong turn spoils them, so start from solved and go slowly. Like the brain teasers in our logic riddles, they reward patience more than speed.
22. Spiral (16 moves)
Moves: L' B' D U R U' R' D2 R2 D L D' L' R' F U
Each face keeps its own color only on a few squares, and a second color winds around them like a spiral. Go slowly, because all 16 moves are different.
Top:
🟩🟩🟩
🟩⬜🟩
🟩⬜⬜ Front:
🟥🟥🟩
🟥🟩🟩
🟥🟥🟥
To undo: U' F' R L D L' D' R2 D2 R U R' U' D' B L Repeat-to-solve number: 6 (doing the full sequence 6 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
23. Plummer’s cross (16 moves)
Moves: R2 L' D F2 R' D' R' L U' D R D B2 R' U D2
Every face gets a cross, and the corners change color too. It looks a lot like Six crosses but takes 16 moves and moves the corner colors around differently.
Top:
🟥⬜🟥
⬜⬜⬜
🟥⬜🟥 Front:
⬜🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩
⬜🟩⬜
To undo: D2 U' R B2 D' R' D' U L' R D R F2 D' L R2 Repeat-to-solve number: 3 (doing the full sequence 3 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
24. Exchanged peaks (17 moves)
Moves: F U2 L F L' B L U B' R' L' U R' D' F' B R2
Triangle-shaped “peaks” of color appear on the faces, as if neighboring faces traded mountaintops.
Top:
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨
⬜🟨🟨 Front:
🟩🟧🟧
🟩🟩🟧
🟩🟩🟩
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
25. Tricolor stripes (17 moves)
Moves: F U F R L2 B D' R D2 L D' B R2 L F U F
The top and bottom stay solid, and each side face shows three vertical stripes in three different colors.
Top:
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜ Front:
🟧🟩🟥
🟧🟩🟥
🟧🟩🟥
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
26. Wire (18 moves)
Moves: R L F B R L F B R L F B R2 B2 L2 R2 B2 L2
This is the Zigzag followed by Vertical stripes. A thin line of color winds around the four side faces like a wire, while the top and bottom stay solid.
Top:
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜ Front:
🟦🟦🟩
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟦🟦
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
27. Cube in a cube in a cube (18 moves)
Moves: U' L' U' F' R2 B' R F U B2 U B' L U' F U R F'
The Cube in a cube with a third, even smaller cube inside it. Look at the top-front-right corner. With 18 moves, one slip will spoil it, so check each move.
Top:
🟥🟥🟥
🟥⬜⬜
🟥⬜🟩 Front:
⬜🟩🟥
⬜🟩🟩
⬜⬜⬜
To undo: F R' U' F' U L' B U' B2 U' F' R' B R2 F U L U Repeat-to-solve number: 3 (doing the full sequence 3 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
28. Kilt (20 moves)
Moves: U' R2 L2 F2 B2 U' R L F B' U F2 D2 R2 L2 F2 U2 F2 U' F2
Every face looks like plaid cloth: the center, the edges and the corners each take a different color.
Top:
🟥🟩🟥
🟩⬜🟩
🟥🟩🟥 Front:
⬜🟥⬜
🟥🟩🟥
⬜🟥⬜
To undo: F2 U F2 U2 F2 L2 R2 D2 F2 U' B F' L' R' U B2 F2 L2 R2 U Repeat-to-solve number: 3 (doing the full sequence 3 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
29. Gift box (20 moves)
Moves: U B2 R2 B2 L2 F2 R2 D' F2 L2 B F' L F2 D U' R2 F' L' R'
The top and bottom show a cross like a ribbon tied on a present, and the four sides show three-color stripes.
Top:
🟨⬜🟨
⬜⬜⬜
🟨⬜🟨 Front:
🟥🟩🟧
🟥🟩🟧
🟥🟩🟧
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
30. Superflip (20 moves)
Moves: U R2 F B R B2 R U2 L B2 R U' D' R2 F R' L B2 U2 F2
Every corner and center is back in place, but all 12 edges are flipped. In 1995 Michael Reid proved that this position needs 20 moves to solve (counting any face turn as one move).
Top:
⬜🟦⬜
🟧⬜🟥
⬜🟩⬜ Front:
🟩⬜🟩
🟧🟩🟥
🟩🟨🟩
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
31. Superflip checkerboard (23 moves)
Moves: U R2 F B R B2 R U2 L B2 R U' D' R2 F R' L B2 U2 F2 M2 E2 S2
Do the Superflip, then the 3-move checkerboard. Each face becomes a checkerboard whose edge squares come from four different faces.
Top:
⬜🟩⬜
🟥⬜🟧
⬜🟦⬜ Front:
🟩🟨🟩
🟥🟩🟧
🟩⬜🟩
To undo: Repeat the same moves. Repeat-to-solve number: 2 (doing the full sequence 2 times in a row brings a solved cube back to solved).
Printable Cheat Sheet: All 31 Rubik’s Cube Patterns
Print this table and keep it next to your cube. “Repeat-to-solve” is how many times you do the full sequence, starting from solved, before the cube is solved again.
| # | Pattern | Moves | Count | To undo | Repeat-to-solve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Checkerboard | M2 E2 S2 | 3 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
| 2 | Plus and minus | U2 R2 L2 U2 R2 L2 | 6 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
| 3 | Vertical stripes | R2 B2 L2 R2 B2 L2 | 6 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
| 4 | Checkerboard on four sides | R2 B2 L2 R2 B2 L2 U2 D2 | 8 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
| 5 | Letter I | R2 U2 D2 L2 F2 U2 D2 B2 | 8 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
| 6 | Letter H | U2 R2 L2 F2 B2 U2 R2 L2 F2 B2 | 10 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
| 7 | Six spots | U D' R L' F B' U D' | 8 | D U' B F' L R' D U' | 3 |
| 8 | Four spots | F2 B2 U D' R2 L2 U D' | 8 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
| 9 | Letter T | B2 L2 R2 F2 D' L2 B2 F2 R2 U' | 10 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
| 10 | Six T’s | F2 R2 U2 F' B D2 L2 F B | 9 | B' F' L2 D2 B' F U2 R2 F2 | 6 |
| 11 | Tetris | L R F B U' D' L' R' | 8 | R L D U B' F' R' L' | 6 |
| 12 | Four crosses | U2 R2 L2 F2 B2 U2 R2 L2 F2 B2 U2 D2 | 12 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
| 13 | Six crosses | U F B' L2 U2 L2 F' B U2 L2 U | 11 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
| 14 | Zigzag | R L F B R L F B R L F B | 12 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
| 15 | Opposite corners | R L U2 F2 D2 F2 R L F2 D2 B2 D2 | 12 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
| 16 | Letter n | B R' F' U2 L' D' B L U2 F U R' | 12 | R U' F' U2 L' B' D L U2 F R B' | 4 |
| 17 | Anaconda | L U B' U' R L' B R' F B' D R D' F' | 14 | F D R' D' B F' R B' L R' U B U' L' | 3 |
| 18 | Python | F2 R' B' U R' L F' L F' B D' R B L2 | 14 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
| 19 | Green mamba | R D R F R' F' B D R' U' B' U D2 | 13 | D2 U' B U R D' B' F R F' R' D' R' | 12 |
| 20 | Black mamba | R D L F' R L' D R' U D' B U' R' D' | 14 | D R U B' D U' R D' L R' F L' D' R' | 12 |
| 21 | Cube in a cube | F L F U' R U F2 L2 U' L' B D' B' L2 U | 15 | U' L2 B D B' L U L2 F2 U' R' U F' L' F' | 3 |
| 22 | Spiral | L' B' D U R U' R' D2 R2 D L D' L' R' F U | 16 | U' F' R L D L' D' R2 D2 R U R' U' D' B L | 6 |
| 23 | Plummer’s cross | R2 L' D F2 R' D' R' L U' D R D B2 R' U D2 | 16 | D2 U' R B2 D' R' D' U L' R D R F2 D' L R2 | 3 |
| 24 | Exchanged peaks | F U2 L F L' B L U B' R' L' U R' D' F' B R2 | 17 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
| 25 | Tricolor stripes | F U F R L2 B D' R D2 L D' B R2 L F U F | 17 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
| 26 | Wire | R L F B R L F B R L F B R2 B2 L2 R2 B2 L2 | 18 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
| 27 | Cube in a cube in a cube | U' L' U' F' R2 B' R F U B2 U B' L U' F U R F' | 18 | F R' U' F' U L' B U' B2 U' F' R' B R2 F U L U | 3 |
| 28 | Kilt | U' R2 L2 F2 B2 U' R L F B' U F2 D2 R2 L2 F2 U2 F2 U' F2 | 20 | F2 U F2 U2 F2 L2 R2 D2 F2 U' B F' L' R' U B2 F2 L2 R2 U | 3 |
| 29 | Gift box | U B2 R2 B2 L2 F2 R2 D' F2 L2 B F' L F2 D U' R2 F' L' R' | 20 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
| 30 | Superflip | U R2 F B R B2 R U2 L B2 R U' D' R2 F R' L B2 U2 F2 | 20 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
| 31 | Superflip checkerboard | U R2 F B R B2 R U2 L B2 R U' D' R2 F R' L B2 U2 F2 M2 E2 S2 | 23 | Repeat the same moves | 2 |
The Repeat Trick: Why Some Patterns Undo Themselves
Any move sequence, repeated enough times, brings a cube back to where it started. Mathematicians call that number the sequence’s “order.” Our simulator found these values for a few well-known sequences:
| Sequence | Times to return to solved |
|---|---|
R | 4 |
R2 | 2 |
R U R' U' (the “sexy move”) | 6 |
U D' R L' F B' U D' (Six spots) | 3 |
R U | 105 |
Patterns made only of half turns, like the checkerboard, have an order of 2. That’s why doing them twice solves the cube. It’s a great classroom demo to pair with our math trivia questions for kids or a round of math riddles for kids. Try R U 105 times and count out loud!
This order is also the reason the numbers on a cube get so big. A 3×3 cube has 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 possible positions, and every one of them can be solved in 20 moves or fewer (the half-turn count), according to the God’s Number project at cube20.org.
Why Your Rubik’s Cube Pattern Looks Wrong
- The cube wasn’t solved first. Every sequence here starts from a fully solved cube.
- You turned the whole cube. Keep white on top and green in front from the first move to the last.
- B or D went the wrong way. “Clockwise” for the back face means clockwise as seen from behind the cube, which feels backwards from the front.
- Your colors are different. Some cubes use a different color scheme. The shape will still appear, but the colors won’t match the diagrams.
- You slipped one move in a long pattern. Undo with the moves in the cheat sheet (or solve the cube), then try again in chunks of four moves.
Rubik’s Cube Patterns FAQ
What is the easiest Rubik’s Cube pattern?
The checkerboard. Starting from a solved cube with white on top and green in front, do M2 E2 S2 (3 slice moves) or U2 D2 F2 B2 L2 R2 (6 face turns). Doing the same moves again solves the cube.
How do you undo a Rubik’s Cube pattern?
Read the moves from last to first and turn each face the opposite way: R becomes R’, R’ becomes R, and half turns like R2 stay the same. Patterns made only of half turns, like the checkerboard, undo themselves if you simply repeat them.
Do I need to know how to solve a Rubik’s Cube to make patterns?
No. You only need a solved cube and the move letters. Knowing how to solve helps if you make a mistake, but you can also undo a pattern with its reverse moves.
What is the superflip on a Rubik’s Cube?
The superflip is the position where every corner and center is solved but all 12 edges are flipped in place. In 1995 Michael Reid proved it needs 20 moves when any face turn counts as one move, and 20 was later proven to be the most any position needs.
Do these patterns work on a 2×2 or 4×4 cube?
Not in the same way. Sequences that use only face turns can be done on other cube sizes, but the result looks different because those cubes have different numbers of layers. Slice moves like M, E and S mean the one middle layer of a 3×3, so they don’t carry over directly to bigger cubes.
Sources: WCA Regulations, Article 12 (notation) and Regulation 4d1 (scrambling orientation); cube20.org: God’s Number is 20 (Rokicki, Kociemba, Davidson and Dethridge); Ruwix: Rubik’s Cube notation. All 31 move sequences, undo sequences, diagrams and repeat-to-solve numbers were checked with our own 3×3 cube simulator in October 2026.
Last updated: October 2026.
