The Movement Symbols

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Here are all the symbols used in the 4 stages for solving the Rubiks Cube.
If you're following a pattern and you're not sure what a certain symbol means, just hover the mouse over the image and a little prompt will brief you.

The 'Reference' Face

The picture here shows you how the moves relate to the cube.
The highlightled side is the reference face for all these moves.
Each diagram used in the stages has the same orientation like this one.

The reference face is the one directly in front of you as you hold the cube.

NOTE: Some moves require you to turn the whole cube left or right.
If so, the new face in front of you becomes the reference face.

Understanding the symbols

All the symbols used in this guide use dots (at the end of a line) to indicate which direction to turn a face. Some have a dot either side which means "turn the face 180º around". See the examples below for more help.

When you are following a pattern, DO NOT turn the cube itself unless a symbol indicates so. I say this because you can easily lose track of where you are during the procedure and you'll end up turning the wrong face.

Some example symbols and what they mean

Top Edge LEFT once This symbol means "Turn the top row LEFT by 90º.
The top row in this instance is the one which is above you
as you hold the cube out in front.
Middle Section UP Once This symbol means "Rotate the middle column UP by 90º.
The middle column would be the one you see in front of you
as you hold the cube out.
Top Edge LEFT or RIGHT by 180 Degrees This symbol means "Turn the top row 180º around.
NOTE: There are two dots on this symbol which means
that you can turn the cube either LEFT or RIGHT but
you need to turn the face twice in whichever direction
you prefer.
Whole Cube LEFT Once This symbol means "Turn the WHOLE cube LEFT by 90º.
To understand this furthur, image that the RED colour face
is in front of you; after turning the whole cube to the left, the
RED face will be on the left and you'll have a new colour
in front (which becomes the new reference face).

I have used this method to prevent you from having to do
awkward moves such as rotating the back face. I find this a
lot easier and quicker (once you get the hang of it).

A full table of the Movement Symbols
Symbol Meaning Example
Top Edge LEFT once Top row left once
Top Edge RIGHT once Top row right once
Top Edge LEFT or RIGHT by 180 Degrees Top row 180º around
     
Bottom Edge LEFT once Bottom row Left Once
Bottom Edge RIGHT once Bottom row Right Once
Bottom Edge LEFT or RIGHT by 180 Degrees Bottom row 180º around
     
Left Edge UP once Left column up once
Left Edge DOWN Once Left column down once
Left Edge UP or DOWN by 180 Degrees Left column 180º around
     
Right Edge UP Once Right column up once
Right Edge DOWN Once Right column down once
Right Edge UP or DOWN by 180 Degrees Right column 180º around
Symbol Meaning Example
Middle Section LEFT Once Middle row once
Middle Section RIGHT Once Middle row once
Middle Section LEFT or RIGHT by 180 Degrees Middle row left/right by 180º
     
Middle Section UP Once Middle column up once
Middle Section DOWN Once Middle column down once
Middle Section UP or DOWN by 180 Degrees Middle column up/down by 180º
     
Front Face LEFT Once Front face anti-clockwise once
Front Face RIGHT Once Front face clockwise once
Front Face LEFT or RIGHT by 180 Degrees Front face 180º around
     
Whole Cube LEFT Once Turn whole cube left once
Whole Cube RIGHT Once Turn whole cube right once