Beginner method · step 4 of 7

Step 4: Make the yellow cross.

The last layer takes four steps. First, a yellow cross on top. You will see one of three patterns: a dot, an L-shape or a line. One algorithm turns each of them, in the right order, into a cross.

Goal of this step The four yellow edges on top form a cross with the yellow centre. The corners do not matter yet.

What you can see

Look at the top face. You will see the yellow centre and some of the four yellow edge pieces. There are four possible patterns: a dot (only the centre), an L-shape (two edges next to each other), a line (two edges opposite each other) or a cross, which means you are finished. The pictures show how to hold the cube for each one.

DotDo the algorithm 3 times, with a half turn of the top layer after the first.

L-shapeDo the algorithm 2 times.

LineDo the algorithm once.

CrossDone: go to step 5.

The algorithm

One algorithm does it all: F R U R' U' F'. Hold the cube so the pattern looks like the pictures. The sequence is a trigger inside the front face, so it keeps the first two layers safe.

Line

Hold the cube so the line goes from left to right, as in the picture. Do F R U R' U' F' once. You have a cross.

L-shape

Hold the cube so the two yellow edges are at the back and on the left, as in the picture. Do the algorithm once and you have a line from left to right. Do it again to make the cross. That is two times in all.

Dot

With a dot, do the algorithm once and you get an L-shape. Turn the top layer a half turn (U2) so the L sits at the back and on the left, then carry on as for the L-shape. In all you do the algorithm three times.

Watch it, step by step

Press play to watch the moves on a cube, or step through them one at a time. Drag the cube to look from another side.

Line to crossA line becomes a cross after one go.

Turn on JavaScript to watch this on a 3D cube. The moves are: F R U R' U' F'

L-shape to crossThe L-shape becomes a line, then a cross.

Turn on JavaScript to watch this on a 3D cube. The moves are: F R U R' U' F' F R U R' U' F'

Dot to crossThe dot becomes an L-shape, then a line, then a cross.

Turn on JavaScript to watch this on a 3D cube. The moves are: F R U R' U' F' U2 F R U R' U' F' F R U R' U' F'

Common mistakes

Holding the cube in a different way each time. Keep the pictures in mind: the L points back and left, and the line goes left to right.
Stopping at the line. The cross has four yellow edges, not two.
Worrying about the corners. They will be turned yellow in step 7.

FAQ

Step 4: questions

What if the cross already looks done?

Then go straight to step 5. Some cubes arrive here with the yellow cross already made.

Why is the same algorithm used for all three cases?

Each time it flips two of the top edges, so a dot turns into an L, an L into a line and a line into a cross.

Does this algorithm break the first two layers?

It moves them while it runs, but at the end of the algorithm they are exactly as you left them.

How many times will I use it?

A line takes one go, an L-shape two and a dot three.

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