Easy Rubik’s Cube Patterns (with Moves)

Rubik’s Cube patterns are move sequences that turn a solved cube into a design. The easiest is the checkerboard: U2 D2 F2 B2 L2 R2 — six half turns, and every face becomes a checkerboard. Below are four classic patterns, each checked move by move, plus how to undo them.

Start every pattern from a solved cube, hold it with the same face toward you throughout, and use standard notation.

Checkerboard

Every face alternates between two opposite colors, like a chessboard.

Because every move is a half turn, doing the same sequence again takes you back to solved. For a faster version with slice moves, try M2 E2 S2.

Dots (spot pattern)

Each face ends up with a center that doesn’t match the rest of the face — a single dot in the middle.

To undo it, do the moves in reverse order with each direction flipped: D U' B F' L R' D U'.

Pillars

Four sides get vertical stripes while the top and bottom stay solved. It’s a quick one to learn because it only uses half turns.

Do the same sequence in reverse order to undo it: L2 B2 R2 L2 B2 R2.

Cube in a cube

The most famous pattern: a smaller 2×2×2 cube appears to sit inside a corner of the big one.

It’s 15 moves, so take it slowly and check each turn. To undo it, reverse it: U' L2 B D B' L U L2 F2 U' R' U F' L' F'.

How to undo any pattern

Every pattern can be undone by its inverse: read the moves backwards and flip each direction (R becomes R', R' becomes R, and half turns like R2 stay the same). That works for any move sequence, including algorithms.

If you lose track mid‑pattern, you can always solve the cube normally — with the beginner method or a solver app.

Patterns on other cubes

Bigger cubes have their own versions of these designs — the dots and cube‑in‑a‑cube ideas extend to 4×4 and 5×5 with wide and inner‑slice moves — and even the 2×2 has a few simple ones. Once you can solve a 3×3, patterns are also a good way to practise notation without the pressure of a timed solve.