Basic

Reduction

The most common beginner method: turn the 4x4 into a big 3x3.

4x4 cube10 lessons47 cases

Start: Solve the 6 centers

Steps

  1. Lesson 1

    Solve the 6 centers

    Gather the 4 matching center pieces on each face with the elevator idea, in your cube's color order.

    9 cases

  2. Lesson 2

    Pair the 12 edges

    Join matching edge pieces into pairs and store them on top and bottom. The last four pairs have their own algorithm.

    4 cases

Solve it like a 3x37 lessons

  1. Lesson 3

    White cross

    Build a white cross on top. The second color of each white edge must match its side center.

    3 cases

  2. Lesson 4

    White corners

    Place the four white corners to finish the white layer. White stays on top, with one short algorithm for each way white can face.

    4 cases

  3. Lesson 5

    Middle layer

    Turn the white layer to the bottom, then insert the four middle edges with two mirror algorithms.

    3 cases

  4. Lesson 6

    Yellow cross

    Make a yellow cross on top with two short, almost identical algorithms.

    3 cases

  5. Lesson 7

    Yellow face

    Make the whole top yellow. There are seven shapes, learned with one algorithm or one per shape.

    14 cases

  6. Lesson 8

    Yellow corners

    Move the four yellow corners into place with one algorithm, done once or twice.

    2 cases

  7. Lesson 9

    Yellow edges

    Move the four yellow edges into place to finish the cube.

    3 cases

  1. Lesson 10

    Parity

    Happens when you solve a 4x4 like a 3x3 and end up with one flipped edge pair or two swapped edge pairs. A 3x3 never gets these cases, so they need their own algorithms.

    2 cases