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5x5

Fixed centers (since it's not an even cube) so no PLL parity, but a heck of a lot more pieces.

Moderate
WCA event
5x5x5 Cube
Positions
2.8 × 10⁷⁴
Method
Reduction
Parity
Last edge only

Overview

The 5x5 has a fixed center piece in the middle of each face, like a 3x3, so you always know which color goes where. Each face has 9 center pieces and each edge has 3 pieces, consisting of a middle and two outer.

Solve it by reduction, just like the 4x4. Centers take longer, and edges are paired by matching the two outer pieces to each middle piece.

The only parity on a 5x5 shows up when pairing the last two edges where two side pieces of one edge end up swapped.

Notation

Same as the 4x4. w means wide turns, and a number in front picks how many layers or which inner layer.

RRight face clockwise (as if you were looking at it)
R'Right face counter-clockwise. A ' always means the reverse turn
R2Right face twice. Direction doesn't matter
RwRight two layers together. Also written r
2ROnly the second layer from the right
UwTop two layers together. Also written u
xTurn the whole cube like R
3RwRight three layers together. Also written 3r
3ROnly the third layer from the right

Reduction

Beginner

Turn the 5x5 into a big 3x3: solve the centers, pair up the edges, then solve it like a 3x3. The 3x3 part uses only outer turns.

  1. 1. Centers

    Each center is a 3x3 block. Solve two opposite centers first (white, then yellow), then the four side centers one at a time.

    Build a bar of center pieces, then move it next to the finished part with a wide turn, put the bar in, and undo the wide turn. Use Rw and Uw moves so you don't break centers you've already done.

    Tip: Get the last two centers right before moving on. it's easy to finish with two centers swapped.

    All six centers solved

  2. 2. Edges

    Each edge is 3 pieces that need to line up. Find pieces that belong together and bring them to the front left and front right edges, lined up so one slice turn would join them. The algorithm pairs both edges without breaking the centers.

    When pairing, line up both outer pieces with the middle piece. The first eight edges are easy to pair while there's free space; the last four take more care, using the same algorithm.

    If the very last edge has its outer pieces swapped (they're both in the right spot but flipped wrong) use the edge parity algorithm below.

    Centers solved, every edge paired

    Pair two edges

    Dw R F' U R' F Dw'

    Pairs the front left and front right edges without breaking the centers

  3. 3. Solve it like a 3x3

    This is the fun part. Using only outer turns (R, U, F, etc.,) you can basically solve the cube like it's a regular 3x3 using whatever method you already know. Treat each center block as one center and each paired edge as one edge.

    Odd cubes have fixed centers like a 3x3, so the only parity happens while pairing the last edge.

Algorithms

Edge pairing

1

Pairs an edge without breaking the centers.

Pair two edges

Dw R F' U R' F Dw'

Pairs the front left and front right edges without breaking the centers

Last edge parity

1

Swaps the two outer pieces of the front top edge. The middle piece stays put.

Edge parity

2R2 B2 U2 2L U2 2R' U2 2R U2 F2 2R F2 2L' B2 2R2

Hold the broken edge at the front of the top layer

Tips

  • ★Most of your time goes into centers and edges. Practice those on their own until you can do them without stopping to look.
  • ★Look for the next piece while you're placing the current one. On a 5x5 there's always something to look for.
  • ★Use the same 3x3 method you already know for the last step, or use steps from the beginner method if you're uncomfortable with turning the big cube sides.

Resources

Ready to time yourself? The timer has 5x5 scrambles built in.

Open the timer