Have you ever tried to get faster at the Rubik’s Cube only to find your hands getting tired from all the rotations? The ZZ method might be exactly what you’re looking for. While CFOP is the most popular method, ZZ offers a unique and highly efficient approach that prioritizes ergonomics and low move counts
So, what is the ZZ method? It’s a speedsolving technique developed by Zbigniew Zborowski that splits the solve into three main steps. But here’s the cool part: it orients all the edges at the very beginning. This means you can solve the rest of the cube with just R, U, and L moves, almost completely eliminating the need for cube rotations and F or B turns.
The Main Steps of the ZZ Method
- Step 1: EOLine (Edge Orientation and Line)This is the heart of the ZZ method and what sets it apart. The goal is to solve the two edges on the bottom face (DF and DB) while simultaneously orienting all 12 of the cube’s edges. An “oriented” edge is one that can be solved into its correct position using only R, U, and L moves. Any edge that can’t is called a “bad edge.” Your job in this step is to make all the edges “good.” It’s often considered the most challenging part for beginners, but once you nail it, the rest of the solve is incredibly smooth.
- Step 2: ZZ-F2L (First Two Layers)With all the edges already oriented, you solve the first two layers by building 1x2x3 blocks on the left and right sides of the “line” you made in the previous step. Because you don’t need to use F or B moves, the process feels very fluid and intuitive. You just focus on pairing up corner and edge pieces and inserting them with a minimal number of moves.
- Step 3: Last Layer (LL)Since you oriented all the edges in the EOLine step, you will always have a cross on the top face when you get to the last layer. This makes solving the LL much more consistent. For beginners, the standard approach is to use a two-look method (OLL and PLL). For advanced solvers, there’s a huge library of ZBLL algorithms that can solve the entire last layer in one shot, which is what makes ZZ so incredibly fast for some top cubers.
Why Switch to ZZ? A Quick Comparison
| Feature | ZZ Method | CFOP Method |
| Move Count | Generally lower | Higher |
| Cube Rotations | Few to none | Frequent |
| Ergonomics | Very high (R, U, L moves) | Lower |
| First Step | EOLine (all edges oriented) | Cross (4 edges solved) |
| Difficulty | EOLine is difficult at first | F2L can be hard to master |
For one-handed (OH) solving, ZZ is a very strong contender because you can keep your hand on the same side of the cube for most of the solve. The efficiency and lack of rotations also make it a great choice for those aiming for a lower move count and a more methodical approach to cubing.
If you’re already familiar with CFOP and are looking for a new challenge or a way to improve your efficiency, the ZZ method is a fantastic next step. The initial learning curve for EOLine is worth it for the speed and comfort you’ll gain in the later stages.
This video from J Perm provides an excellent tutorial on the ZZ method for CFOP solvers.