HOME   DelTree | ExtractResources | Hash | IntegrityCheck | Rays | Rubik's cube About

Rubik's cube solving



This page explains how to solve a 4x4x4 cube.

Every cube of higher order than 3x3x3 involves reducing the cube to a 3x3x3 cube, and then
solving for that.

The even cubes are initially easy to solve, but you'll potentially encounter parity problems
you'll have to fix. For the 4x4x4 there are 5 possible parity problem states. Fortunately, you
only need to remember 3 series of moves, where 2 of them resemble each other closely.
Unfortunately, there is one parity problem that involves very difficult to understand/remember
steps.

Each side is made up of 4 centers, 8 edges, and 4 corners. With 6 sides this makes for 24
centers, 48 edges, and 24 corners, for a grand total of 96 faces. Each center is alone, each edge
is paired with 1 other edge, and each corner is paired with 2 other corners. This makes for a
grand total of 24 + 24 + 8 = 56 blocks.

The pictures show you how to go about solving the cube. The solution assumes you have at least
some basic knowledge of how to handle the cube, so not all of the basic steps are shown. Make
sure you always have the exact correct orientation or the supplied moves will not work properly.

Remember to first check the general instructions page if you're new to my solutions.


Steps to solve the 4x4x4 cube

Do the top center and the bottom center Step 1
Result
Do the side centers Step 2
Result
Swap 3 wings

Make sure the LB and UB blocks are correct so you can place 2 blocks per move
Step 3a
2L  F'  L  F  2L'
Step 3b
Result
Only do the following parity fix if your cube has exactly 2 unsolved wings left

Then swap 3 wings
Step 4a
2R  U2  2R  U2  2R  U2  2R  U2  2R
Step 4b
Result
Solve the cube as a 3x3x3 Step 5a Step 5b
Result
Only do the following parity fixes if your cube looks like this

Then solve the cube as a 3x3x3
Step 6a
2R2  U2  2R2  2U2  2R2  2U2
Step 6b
2R2  U2  2R2  2U2  2R2  2U2
Step 6c
2R2  U2  2R2  2U2  2R2  2U2
Only do the following parity fixes if your cube looks like this

Then solve the cube as a 3x3x3
Step 6d
2R2  B2  U2  2L  U2  2R'  U2  2R  U2  F2  2R  F2  2L'  B2  2R2