Introduction Notation Solving Steps Algorithms Tips FAQ

Try: "white star", "corner permutation", "R notation"

⬡ Complete Beginner Guide

Solve the Megaminx
Step by Step

Master the 12-sided dodecahedron puzzle with clear algorithms, illustrated steps, and tips from speedsolvers.

✍️ By Alex Rivera 📅 Updated June 2026 ⏱ 25 min read 🏷 Puzzles
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Introduction

What is a Megaminx?

The Megaminx is a dodecahedral twisty puzzle — a puzzle shaped like a 12-sided solid, where each face is a regular pentagon. With 12 faces, each a different color, and 50 moveable pieces (20 corners, 30 edges), it looks terrifying at first glance. In practice, if you can solve a 3×3 Rubik's Cube, the Megaminx is well within reach.

Total Pieces62 pieces
Corner Pieces20 corners
Edge Pieces30 edges
Center Pieces12 centers
Color Faces12 faces
DifficultyIntermediate
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Good news: The Megaminx uses the same basic principles as a 3×3 cube. Many algorithms are direct adaptations — you won't be starting from zero.

Fundamentals

Megaminx Basics

Before diving in, understand the anatomy. The Megaminx has 12 pentagonal faces. Each face rotates independently by 72° increments (pentagon geometry). The standard color scheme has white on top and grey on the opposite bottom face, with 10 colors arranged around them.

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Key insight: Unlike the 3×3, each face turn moves 5 edges and 5 corners at once. The logic is the same; just more pieces to track per layer.
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Color scheme: Memorize your cube's specific color arrangement before starting. Different brands use different schemes, and mixing them up mid-solve is the #1 source of confusion for beginners.

Notation

Move Notation Guide

Megaminx notation follows the same conventions as standard cube notation, with a few extras for the additional faces.

RRight face clockwise
R'Right face counter-CW
LLeft face clockwise
L'Left face counter-CW
UTop face clockwise
U'Top face counter-CW
DDown face clockwise
D'Down face counter-CW
FFront face clockwise
F'Front face counter-CW
R2Right face double turn
RwWide right move
yRotate puzzle on U axis
xRotate puzzle on R axis
++Double-layer clockwise
--Double-layer counter-CW
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Prime (') always means counter-clockwise. A number after a letter (R2) means repeat that move. Get comfortable with these before attempting algorithms.

The Method

7 Steps to a Solved Megaminx

01

Create the White Star

Start by solving the 5 white edges around the white center, forming a "star." This is intuitive — no algorithm required. Focus on matching the edge's side color to the adjacent center color. The star must have each white edge correctly oriented and color-matched on the sides.

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Pro tip: Work one edge at a time. Use the 3×3 principle of inserting edges from the top — even at this stage, avoid disturbing edges you've already placed.
02

Complete First Layer Corners

Place the 5 white corners to complete the white face. Each corner has 3 colors and must sit between its matching edge pieces. Use the standard Right Insert or Left Insert algorithms from 3×3 solving.

Right Insert: R U R' U'
Left Insert: L' U' L U
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Repeat the insert trigger multiple times if the piece doesn't slot in on the first try. Usually 2–3 repetitions work.
03

Solve the Second Layer

The second layer contains 5 more edges. Each edge must be moved from the top layer and inserted into its correct slot without disturbing the first layer. This is where orientation matters — a flipped edge requires an additional setup move.

Insert Right: U R U' R' U' F' U F
Insert Left: U' L' U L U F U' F'
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Make sure the edge is in the top layer before inserting. Never force an edge from the middle layer directly — always bring it up first.
04

Solve the Remaining Middle Layers

Continue the same edge-insertion process through layers 3, 4, and 5. By this point you're building the "equator" of the puzzle. Work from the top down, and rotate the puzzle when needed to position new edges.

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As the puzzle fills up, you'll need to use setup moves before insertions. Slow down and look 2–3 moves ahead to avoid undoing progress.
05

Last Layer Star

Flip the puzzle so grey is on top. Create a grey star using the Star Algorithm. Orient the 5 grey edges to point inward. One edge is used as an anchor and the algorithm cycles the remaining edges into orientation.

Star Alg: (R U R' U') × 5 — applied until star forms
06

Last Layer Corners

Orient and then permute the 5 grey corners. First twist them all so the grey sticker faces up (orientation), then cycle them into their correct positions (permutation). These are 2 separate sub-steps.

Orient: R' D' R D (repeat 2× or 4× per corner)
Permute: U R U' L' U R' U' L
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Critical: When orienting corners, only move the D and R faces. Don't rotate the entire puzzle mid-algorithm or you'll scramble completed faces.
07

Final Edge Permutation

The last step: cycle the 5 grey edges to their correct positions. Only permutation is needed here (the star step handled orientation). Apply a 3-cycle algorithm to swap edges until all 5 are solved. Take your time — you're one step from a fully solved Megaminx!

3-cycle: R++ D-- R++ U++ R-- D++ R-- U-- (×3)
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If you reach 4 edges solved with 1 remaining misplaced, something went wrong 1–2 steps back. Don't despair — back up to step 6 and re-check your corners.

Reference

Algorithm Cards

Quick-copy algorithm reference for every stage of the solve. Tap the copy button to grab a sequence.

Right Insert Beginner

Place first layer corner from top layer, right side.

R U R' U'
4 moves
Left Insert Beginner

Place first layer corner from top layer, left side.

L' U' L U
4 moves
Edge Insert Right Beginner

Insert second layer edge, right orientation.

U R U' R' U' F' U F
8 moves
Edge Insert Left Beginner

Insert second layer edge, left orientation.

U' L' U L U F U' F'
8 moves
Corner Orient Intermediate

Twist last layer corners in place. Repeat per corner.

R' D' R D
R' D' R D
8 moves (×n)
Corner Permute Intermediate

3-cycles 3 last layer corners clockwise.

U R U' L' U R' U' L
8 moves
Edge 3-Cycle Advanced

Cycles 3 last layer edges without disturbing corners.

R++ D-- R++ U++ R-- D++ R-- U--
8 moves (×3)
Y-Perm Advanced

Diagonal corner swap for last layer speedsolving.

F R U' R' U' R U R' F' R U R' U' R' F R F'
18 moves

Pro Advice

Tips for Success

01

Learn Notation First

Spend 30 minutes getting comfortable with R, L, U, D, F moves before trying any algorithm. Muscle memory starts here.

02

Solve Slowly First

Speed comes after accuracy. Your first 10 solves should be methodical — pause and verify at each step before proceeding.

03

Don't Memorize Immediately

Understand the goal of each algorithm before memorizing the moves. Comprehension prevents "what step am I on?" confusion.

04

Watch Edge Orientation

Edges can be flipped. Misoriented edges in the lower layers will cause big problems in the last layer. Verify each edge as you insert it.

05

Practice Finger Tricks

The R U R' U' trigger is the most common. Practice executing it smoothly without looking at your hand — this alone shaves minutes off your time.

06

Use a Quality Cube

A good Megaminx (GAN, YuHu, Moyu) turns smoothly and prevents lock-ups mid-algorithm. Avoid cheap entry-level cubes that catch.

Watch Out

Common Mistakes

  • Wrong edge placement — Inserting an edge into the correct slot but facing the wrong direction. Always check both colors before inserting.
  • Incorrect corner orientation — Skipping the orientation check and assuming corners are correct. Every corner must have its grey sticker facing up before permuting.
  • Forgetting color order — Not knowing which face colors are adjacent. Learn the color scheme before starting.
  • Using the wrong algorithm — Applying a right-insert when a left-insert is needed. Verify edge position relative to its slot before choosing.
  • Rotating the cube mid-algorithm — Especially dangerous during corner orientation. The D face must stay fixed throughout the orientation algorithm.
  • Forcing turns — If a face doesn't turn smoothly, stop and check alignment. Forcing can pop pieces and ruin the puzzle's mechanism.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

A Megaminx is a dodecahedral twisty puzzle with 12 pentagonal faces, each a different color. It has 62 total pieces (12 fixed centers, 20 corners, 30 edges) and over 1068 possible permutations.
Not as much as it looks. The logic is nearly identical — just more pieces per layer. If you know the 3×3 beginner method, you can learn Megaminx in a day. The main challenge is scale and tracking 12 colors.
Beginners typically take 20–45 minutes for their first solve. With practice, sub-5 minutes is achievable with the beginner method. World record holders solve in under 30 seconds.
Not required, but strongly recommended. The edge and corner insertion algorithms are identical to the 3×3 beginner method. Having that foundation cuts learning time significantly.
The MoYu Meilong Megaminx and YuHu V2 M are excellent budget options. For a more premium feel, the GAN Megaminx is highly rated. Avoid no-brand cubes from discount marketplaces — they turn poorly and break quickly.
With guidance, children 10 and older can learn the beginner method. The main hurdle is memorizing notation and multiple algorithms, which requires patience. Younger children may do better starting with a 2×2 or Pyraminx first.
Use a timer app (CubeDesk, csTimer) to track progress. Drill individual steps in isolation. The biggest speed gains come from look-ahead (planning the next step while executing the current one) and reducing pauses between algorithms.
Most speedsolvers move to the Ortega method for corners and then to full CFOP-based Megaminx solving. The Yau method adapted for Megaminx is also popular. Once you're consistently under 5 minutes, exploring these is worthwhile.