PLL Algorithms
Permute Last Layer - All 21 Cases
Good News: PLL is easier than OLL! Only 21 cases and many have similar algorithms.
🎨 Pattern Guide: In the diagrams, different colors show which pieces need to swap. Yellow pieces are solved (corners).
What is PLL?
PLL (Permute Last Layer) is the final stage of CFOP. After OLL makes the top face all one color, PLL moves the pieces to their correct positions to solve the cube!
21
Total Cases
1-2s
Target Time
100%
Cube Solved!
Edges Only (4 cases)
All corners solved, only edges need permuting
Ua Perm
3 edges cycle clockwise
R U' R U R U R U' R' U' R2
Ub Perm
3 edges cycle counterclockwise
R2 U R U R' U' R' U' R' U R'
H Perm
Opposite edges swap (2 pairs)
M2 U M2 U2 M2 U M2
Z Perm
Adjacent edges swap (2 pairs)
M' U M2 U M2 U M' U2 M2
Corners Only (3 cases)
All edges solved, only corners need permuting
Aa Perm
3 corners cycle clockwise
x R' U R' D2 R U' R' D2 R2 x'
Ab Perm
3 corners cycle counterclockwise
x R2 D2 R U R' D2 R U' R x'
E Perm
Opposite corners swap (2 pairs)
x' R U' R' D R U R' D' R U R' D R U' R' D' x
Adjacent Swap (6 cases)
Very common - swap adjacent edges and corners
T Perm
Adjacent edge + corner swap
R U R' U' R' F R2 U' R' U' R U R' F'
Ja Perm
Left block adjacent swap
x R2 F R F' R U2 r' U r U2 x'
Jb Perm
Right block adjacent swap
R U R' F' R U R' U' R' F R2 U' R'
F Perm
Opposite edge pairs swap
R' U' F' R U R' U' R' F R2 U' R' U' R U R' U R
Ra Perm
Right bar
R U R' F' R U2 R' U2 R' F R U R U2 R'
Rb Perm
Left bar
R' U2 R U2 R' F R U R' U' R' F' R2
Diagonal Swap (2 cases)
Corners swap diagonally
V Perm
Diagonal corners + adjacent edges
R' U R' U' y R' F' R2 U' R' U R' F R F
Y Perm
Diagonal corners + opposite edges
F R U' R' U' R U R' F' R U R' U' R' F R F'
G Permutations (4 cases)
All look similar - practice recognition!
Ga Perm
Adjacent corners + edges clockwise
R2 U R' U R' U' R U' R2 D U' R' U R D'
Gb Perm
Adjacent corners + edges CCW
R' U' R U D' R2 U R' U R U' R U' R2 D
Gc Perm
G perm variant
R2 U' R U' R U R' U R2 D' U R U' R' D
Gd Perm
G perm variant
R U R' U' D R2 U' R U' R' U R' U R2 D'
N Permutations (2 cases)
Less common but important
Na Perm
Adjacent block swap
R U R' U R U R' F' R U R' U' R' F R2 U' R' U2 R U' R'
Nb Perm
Adjacent block swap (mirror)
R' U L' U2 R U' R' U2 R L U'
Learning Order (Recommended)
Stage 1: 2-Look PLL
Learn just 6 algorithms:
- Ua, Ub (edges)
- Aa, Ab (corners)
- H, Z (special)
Stage 2: Common PLLs
Add frequently used:
- T, Ja, Jb
- F, Ra, Rb
Stage 3: Full PLL
Complete the set:
- Ga, Gb, Gc, Gd
- Na, Nb, V, Y, E
PLL Recognition
- Look for blocks: 1x2 solved blocks of corners+edges
- Check headlights: Two matching colors on adjacent corners
- Count bars: Vertical color bars on sides
- Opposite colors: Check if opposite sides match
- Practice AUF: After PLL, turn U face to solve (Adjust Upper Face)
Pro Tips
- ? Learn 2-look PLL first before full PLL
- ? PLL recognition is faster with practice than OLL
- ? Many algorithms have similar patterns (Ja/Jb, Ra/Rb, etc.)
- ? Practice recognition without solving - just identify the case
- ? Use finger tricks - PLL should be very fast!
Complete Your CFOP Journey! 🎉
Learning full PLL is the final step to becoming a speedcuber!