CubeXpert2-Look PLL: Permute the Last Layer
PLL (Permutation of the Last Layer) is the final step of CFOP: the top face is already all yellow, and PLL moves the last‑layer pieces to their correct places. Full PLL has 21 algorithms. 2‑look PLL does it in two steps with just six: first place the corners (T‑perm or Y‑perm), then the edges (Ua, Ub, H or Z). We checked the recognition rules below against all 288 possible PLL positions.
You need the top face fully yellow first — see 2‑look OLL.
Step 1: Place the corners
Look at the side stickers of the top‑layer corners. Two corners on the same side with the same color are headlights.
| What you see | What to do | Algorithm |
|---|---|---|
| Headlights on every side | Corners are done | Go to step 2 |
| Headlights on one side | Turn the top so the headlights are on the left, then do the T‑perm | R U R' U' R' F R2 U' R' U' R U R' F' |
| No headlights | Two diagonal corners need swapping — do the Y‑perm from any side | F R U' R' U' R U R' F' R U R' U' R' F R F' |
One algorithm is always enough for this step. The T‑perm also swaps two edges, but that doesn’t matter — step 2 fixes the edges anyway.
After this step, turn the top layer until the corners match the centers on every side.
Step 2: Place the edges
With the corners lined up, look at the edges:
| What you see | What to do | Algorithm |
|---|---|---|
| One side fully solved | Hold the solved side at the back. If the front edge belongs on the right, do Ua | R U' R U R U R U' R' U' R2 |
| If the front edge belongs on the left, do Ub | R2 U R U R' U' R' U' R' U R' | |
| No side solved, front edge belongs at the back | Opposite edges swap — do H‑perm | M2 U M2 U2 M2 U M2 |
| No side solved, edges swap with neighbours | Hold it so the front and right edges need to swap, then do Z‑perm | M2 U M2 U M' U2 M2 U2 M' |
| All four edges match | Done | — |
Finish by turning the top layer until everything lines up. The cube is solved.
Mturns the middle slice in the same direction asL.M2is a half turn, so direction doesn’t matter there. See notation.
Memorizing the six algorithms
- T‑perm is the most famous algorithm in cubing. Split it into three chunks:
R U R' U'·R' F R2 U' R'·U' R U R' F'. - Y‑perm is two halves:
F R U' R' U' R U R' F'followed byR U R' U' R' F R F'— the second half is itself a common OLL algorithm. - Ua and Ub are inverses of each other — Ub undoes Ua. Learn one and practise the other as “Ua backwards”.
- H and Z use only
MandUmoves. Hold the cube loosely and flick the middle slice with your ring finger.
Common mistakes
- Not aligning corners before step 2. If the corners aren’t lined up with the centers, a solved side can be hidden and you’ll pick the wrong edge case.
- Misjudging “belongs on the right”. Look at the color of the front edge’s front sticker and find the center with that color.
- Rotating mid‑algorithm. Keep the same front face from the first move to the last.
Beyond 2-look PLL
Full PLL replaces the two looks with one algorithm per case (21 in total) and is the next step for most cubers averaging under 30 seconds. After that, advanced solvers learn sets that combine steps, such as COLL and ZBLL, which solve the entire last layer at once when the edges are already oriented.