2-look PLL solves the last layer in two steps once the top face is yellow. First you put the four corners in place (2 cases), then the four edges (4 cases). That's 6 algorithms instead of the 21 of full PLL. Together with 2-look OLL, it's the standard way to move from the beginner method to CFOP.
The arrows show where each piece needs to go. Press Watch to see the algorithm on an animated cube that starts from exactly the case shown.
Step 1: Solve the Corners
Look at the sides of the top layer for headlights: two corners on the same side whose side stickers are the same color.
For this corner-placement step, a full three-sticker bar counts as matching corners too: ignore the edge between them. The named PLL recognition guides use a narrower definition of headlights, with a different-colored edge between the matching corners. That distinction helps identify the complete PLL case, while this step only places corners.
- Headlights on one side: turn the top so the headlights are on the left, then do the T perm.
- No headlights anywhere: two corners are swapped diagonally. Do the Y perm. It works from any angle.
- Headlights on all four sides: the corners are already right. Skip to step 2.
After either algorithm, turn the top layer until the corners line up with the sides.
Step 2: Solve the Edges
With the corners in place, look at the edges.
- One side fully solved (a bar): hold the solved side at the back. If the edges need to cycle counterclockwise (seen from above), do Ua. If clockwise, do Ub.
- No side solved: if the edges swap with the ones opposite, it's H. If they swap with their neighbors, it's Z.
The Z perm is shown with the corners lined up, the way you'll usually see it. Its algorithm starts with a U' to match that position (shown in gray).
How to Learn 2-Look PLL
- Learn the T perm first. If every arrangement of the top layer were equally likely, the corner step would need the T perm 2 times in 3, the Y perm 1 time in 6, and nothing 1 time in 6. It's also part of full PLL.
- Then Ua and Ub. Under the same assumption, each one comes up in 1 of 3 edge steps, compared with 1 in 6 for Z and 1 in 12 for H. The edges are already solved in the remaining 1 in 12. Learn Ua and Ub as a pair, since each undoes the other.
- Add the Y, H and Z perms.
- Next: once 2-look feels smooth, full PLL replaces both steps with one algorithm per case. Track your times with the cube timer.
About those odds: they count every arrangement of the top layer as equally likely. They don't tell you how often each case shows up in real beginner solves, which can differ with the scramble and how you solve the earlier steps.
These are established, widely taught algorithms, not the only good ones. Which feels fastest depends on your hands, so if another version of a case suits you better, use it.
The algorithms are the standard 2-look set as listed by J Perm (each card links to the source). Every one is checked by our cube engine: each diagram is exactly the position its algorithm solves, the arrows match where the pieces end up, and the 6 cases cover every corner and edge arrangement. The hold-and-recognize rules above (headlights on the left for the T perm, the Y perm from any angle, the U perms with the solved side at the back) are checked against every possible last-layer position. Case names are checked against J Perm and SpeedCubeDB.