F2L case library

After the cross, pair each white corner with its edge and insert both at once. 41 cases, all for the front-right slot. Filter, then demo in Cube Lab.

Before you start

This is the F2L dictionary for CFOP, not a new method. Learn the beginner method first, then the CFOP cross. White stays on the bottom.

Algorithms assume the front-right slot. Mirror them for the other three slots. Full move letters: cube notation reference.

Demo plays the case, then the solution. Cube Lab resets, applies the inverse instantly so you see the pair, then animates the algorithm.

Practice random F2L cases in Cube Lab

Why F2L

Beginner solves place white corners, then middle edges — two looks for the same pieces. F2L joins a corner and its edge into one pair and inserts both. You spend fewer moves, and you start looking ahead to the next pair while the current one finishes.

You do not need all 41 memorised on day one. Intuitive pairing plus a handful of algs already beats the beginner first-two-layers recipe.

Five ideas (intuitive F2L)

Any case is a variation of pairing. Algorithms come after this feels obvious. Use the matching filter chip below to browse that family.

1. Basic pairing. Corner and edge already joined? Hold the pair over the empty FR slot and insert with a short R/U trigger. Filter: Basic.
2. Corner in the slot. Take the corner out onto U, pair it with its edge, put both back. Filter: Corner in slot.
3. Edge in the slot. The mirror: free the edge, pair on U, insert. Filter: Edge in slot.
4. Both on U. Use the empty slot as a keyhole. Hide one piece, join them on top, insert. Filter: Both in U.
5. Split or trapped. Dump both pieces to U first, then treat it as a normal U-layer case. Filter: Advanced.

Recognition habit. Look at the FR slot first. Empty? Hunt the pair on U. Occupied? Name which piece is wrong, then pick the matching idea above.

Learning order

1. Four basic inserts (pair already made, ready to drop in).
2. Corner in slot, then edge in slot — these show up constantly after a scramble.
3. Both pieces on U with a clear keyhole setup.
4. Advanced / awkward cases last, only when the first three groups feel slow rather than confusing.

Common mistakes: holding the wrong face as Front mid-alg; using L or F on a right-slot solution and smashing a solved slot; rotating the cube instead of AUFing (U turns) to set up the pair.

41 cases

Practice path

• Drill only Basic until every insert is automatic.
• Add Corner in slot and Edge in slot; do ten random cases of each in Cube Lab.
• Scramble, solve the cross, then solve F2L with no timer — pause to name the idea before you turn.
• When most solves need no lookup, switch to timed F2L-only drills, then open 2-look OLL.

Random F2L drill in Cube Lab

Stuck?

If other slots break, you used L / F on a right-slot algorithm, or you rotated the cube mid-algorithm. Undo, hold FR in front, retry.

If the pair looks “almost right” but will not insert, AUF (turn U) until the corner’s colours match the FR centres, then insert — do not twist the whole cube.

Need the short CFOP recipe? How to solve a 3×3 with CFOP. Prefer blocks? Roux.

After this page

Move to 2-look OLL, then 2-look PLL. Full OLL/PLL wait until 4-look last layer is comfortable. For the whole CFOP flow, return to the CFOP overview.