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Commutator

2026-06-08T18:15:49Z

Ck10390: Swap order of words "other disturbing"

A '''commutator''' is a sequence of moves that consists of doing a sequence A, then a sequence B, then the inverse of the sequence A (aka A') and finally the inverse of the sequence B (aka B'). As a result, only specific pieces are affected. It allows one to finish the cube without disturbing other pieces that are already in place.

== Mathematical definition ==

Given a group, a '''commutator''' is an element of the form ghg'h' (also denoted [g, h]), where g and h are elements of the group with inverses g' and h'.

Cube notation is very close: A B A' B' = [A, B]

== Fundamental principle ==

It is straightforward that A A' does nothing, as well as B B', because A' is the inverse of A and B' the inverse of B. Also A A' B' B.

So the commutator A B A' B' does change something only because B A' is not the same as A' B. When B A' = A' B, or B A = A B, we say that the elements A and B commute. In this case, A B A' B' = A (B A') B' = A (A' B) B' = I where I is the identity.

For example for L and R or U and D. In this case, the commutator does nothing:
L R L' R' = L L' R R' = I

So in some way, the commutator allows you to measure to which extent the moves do not commute.

== Effect ==
[[File:COMM Effects section Definitions.png|450px|thumb|right|This image defines the terms '''J''', '''K''', '''N''', '''N'''A’,'''N'''B’ used to describe how the commutator works. ]]
To help us discuss how a commutator works we will first define some terms. 
The image on the right gives a visual indication of which pieces of a cube are affected by the different sequences of a commutator. In the example commutator chosen, the sequence A is F and the sequence B is U, giving the simple commutator [F, U].
Referring to the image, the sequence A changes the pieces at a set of locations we will call '''J'''. The sequence B changes the pieces at a set of locations we will call '''K'''. We will call the intersection of '''J''' and '''K''', '''N'''. If '''J''' and '''K''' have no intersection, such as when A equals L and B equals R, then A and B are said to commute, and the commutator [L, R] does nothing. However if, as in the image, when '''J''' and '''K''' do have an intersection, A and B generally do not commute and the cube, as a result, is changed by the commutator. Note that the changes which this particular commutator make to the cube are rather difficult to understand, however more straight forward commutator examples will be discussed in a moment.

There is a set of locations that we will be calling '''N'''A'. This name is appropriate because the pieces can be identified by applying the inverse of A to the locations '''N'''. Referring to the lowest right hand cube, these particular locations are identified using two shades of grey. Pieces that are lighter grey are pieces that will be brought into the intersection region '''N''', pieces that are darker grey are pieces that are already within the intersection region and will remain in the region. Such pieces will however be moved within the region, as in this case, or will be twisted in place.

All of the above statements regarding the '''N'''A' region is also true for '''N'''B' region.

The only pieces that are affected by any commutator are the ones located in the union of '''N''', '''N'''A' and '''N'''B'. In other words, pieces that are affected by a commutator are those who are at the intersection of both moves, or are brought into the intersection by A or B. Other pieces, even if they are temporarily mixed up after the sequences A and B are executed, will be put back into their original locations with sequences A' and B'. 
This restoration of all the pieces that are not in the union of '''N''', '''N'''A' and '''N'''B' is the reason the commutator is such a powerful tool.

Click the following thumbnail for an image similar to the one just discussed which instead uses the more common commutator [B' D B, U'].
[[File:COMM Effects section Example.jpg|70px ]]
=== Trivial case ===

When '''J''' and '''K''' have no intersection, A and B commute, so the commutator does nothing.

=== B inplace ===

If '''N'''B' = '''N''', the sequence B only moves affected pieces that are inside the intersection. It may also move pieces that are outside the intersection, but those moves will be cancelled at the end. Affected pieces will only be '''N''' and '''N'''A'. So those pieces will be in '''J''', i.e. among pieces that are directly affected by A.

In this case, it is relevant to consider that [A, B] = (A B A') B' = [A: B] B'. First part is the [[conjugate]] of B by A, and second part is the inverse of B.

If [A: B] and B' interfere, there is a quirk part PQ (see general case).

==== Examples ====
Let's consider [M', U2] = M' U2 M U2

In this example, '''N''' are the top-front and top-back edges. '''N'''B' is '''N'''U2, which is exactly '''N''', and '''N'''A' are front-bottom and front-top edges. So affected pieces are top-back, top-front, and front-bottom edges, which are directly affected by M and M'. In other words, affected pieces are in the middle slice.

The conjugated move is U2. Because only middle slice pieces are changed at the end, we can safe ignore top-left and top-right pieces. The relevant part of U2 is just a swap of top-back and top-front edges. Thus, M' U2 M swaps front-top and front-bottom edges.

So [M', U2] can be understood as: swap front-top and front-bottom edges, then swap top-back and top-front edges, which yields a 3-cycle of edges.

There is a quirk part, the front-bottom edge, which is affected by both [M': U2] and U2, i.e. by all four moves of the commutator.

Let's consider [M2, U2] = M2 U2 M2 U2

Again, '''N''' are the top-front and top-back edges. But there is no more interference between [M': U2] and U2, thus no quirk part. Simply, top-front and top-back edges are swapped, as well as bottom-front and bottom-back edges.

=== A inplace ===

[[File:COMM_Effects_Twist_Corn.png|450px|thumb|right|This commutator twists two corners in place. It is an example of a commutator in which '''N'''A'='''N'''. [http://alg.garron.us/?alg=M2_D2_M2_U_M2_D2_M2_U-__&scheme=brogwy Applet of commutator] ]]
The image on the right breaks down a commutator that twists two corner pieces. In the type of commutator being discussed in this section, the sequence A does not move pieces into the intersection region but only moves or twists pieces that are already within the region. As a result, the '''N'''A' region and intersection region '''N''' are the same. In this particular commutator, the sequence A twists the single piece that is in the intersection region counter-clockwise. (Refer to the cube image which shows the effects of sequence A on the cube) Note that, as for all commutators, sequence A moves or twists all of the pieces that are in the '''J''' region, however any changes to that region which are outside of the intersection region are undone by sequence A'. If one performs this commutator on a cube or runs this [http://alg.garron.us/?alg=R-_D-_R_D_R-_D-_R__U_R-_D_R_D-_R-_D_R_U-&scheme=brogwy applet] they will see that the piece at '''N'''B' gets twisted clockwise when sequence A' is restoring the rest of the '''J''' region.

To appreciate sequence B's interaction with the intersection region one can observe the general nature of a commutator. Looking at the mathematical structure of a commutator, A B A' B' one can see that it has two overlapping [[conjugates]]. ie A B A' B' = (A B A') B' = A (B A' B'). (If one is unfamiliar with conjugates it is critical that one read the lead of the conjugate page now before continuing.) It is the action of the second conjugate, B A' B', that is apparent in this type of commutator. Because sequence A' only alters the contents of the intersection region, sequence B can be viewed as the initial setup move of a conjugate, A' can be viewed as the actual manipulation move and B' can be viewed as the restoring move. Regarding this specific commutator, because sequence A twists the corner piece at '''N'''A' counter-clockwise, the sequence A', which is acting as the middle manipulation sequence of a conjugate, twists the corner piece at '''N'''B' clockwise.
 
[[File:COMM_Eff_Exchange_Edges.jpg|450px|thumb|right|It is an example of a commutator in which '''N'''A'='''N'''. [http://alg.garron.us/?alg=M2_D2_M2_U_M2_D2_M2_U-__&scheme=brogwy Applet of commutator] ]]
In this next example, the sequence A again does not move pieces into the intersection region resulting in the '''N'''A' region and intersection region '''N''' being the same. However in this commutator, the sequence A moves pieces around within the intersection region. Specifically, it exchanges the only two pieces that are in the intersection region.

Everything else discussed regarding the previous example applies here as well. 
Here is an [http://alg.garron.us/?alg=M2_D2_M2_U_M2_D2_M2_U-__&scheme=brogwy applet of this commutator]

In summary: Sequence A initially alters the pieces that are in the intersection region, then sequence B, acting as the setup move of a conjugate, moves a different group of pieces into that intersection region. Sequence A' then, while restoring the rest of region '''J''', "reverse alters" those new pieces and sequence B' finally returns both altered groups of pieces back to their original locations.

==== Examples ====

Let's consider the inverse of [M', U2] which is (M' U2 M U2)' = U2 M' U2 M = [U2, M'] = U2 [M': U2]. The relevant part of U2 consists in swapping top-back and top-front edges, and [M': U2] swaps top-front and front-bottom edges.

Other examples:
* A = "rotating a corner" like [R' D' R D R' D' R, U]
* A = "flipping an edge" like [R' E' R2 E2 R', U]
* A = "exchanging two corners" like [R' L' D2 R L, U]
* A = "exchanging two edges" like [M2 D2 M2, U]

=== Three different sets ===

When '''N'''A' and '''N'''B' are not included in '''N''', there are three sets involved in the commutator:
* '''N'''A' : pieces that are brought into the intersection by A
* '''N'''B' : pieces that are brought into the intersection by B
* '''N''' : the intersection of '''J''' and '''K''', i.e. where A and B interfere.

Note that '''N'''A' can have locations in common with '''N''' and '''N'''B' can have locations in common with '''N'''. In other words, it is possible that a sequence (A or B) does two different things in the context of a commutator:
# moving pieces inside the intersection (from '''N''' to '''N''')
# bringing pieces into the intersection (from '''N'''A' \ '''N''' to '''N''' or from '''N'''B' \ '''N''' to '''N''')

When there is only case 1, it is in fact the cases studied before. So we are left with those possible cases:
* Case 2 only: the three sets '''N'''A', '''N'''B' and '''N''' are completely separated (no overlap)
* Case 1 and 2 at the same time: the three sets overlap

==== No overlap ====

Referring to the animation below, when sets do not overlap, the commutator can be summed up by:
* A stores the content of the intersection PN in '''N'''A, and replace it with some pieces PA from '''N'''A'
* B stores PA in '''N'''B, and bring some pieces PB from '''N'''B' into the intersection
* A' retrieves PB from the intersection and places them in '''N'''A', and brings to the intersection previously stored pieces PN in '''N'''A
* B' retrieves PN from the intersection and places them in '''N'''B', and finally places PA in the intersection.

So it is a 3-cycle of (PN, PA, PB) into (PA, PB, PN)

We notice that '''N'''A and '''N'''B are used as temporary storage:
* The content of the intersection, PN, is first hidden by A in its storage '''N'''A, and comes back with A', so that the only transformation applied to these pieces is B'.
* The content of '''N'''A' is brought by A, and is then hidden by B in '''N'''B, so that the only transformation applied to these pieces is A.
* The content of '''N'''B' is brought by B, and then is placed immediately in '''N'''A' by A'. So the transformation applied to these pieces is B A'.

Note that '''N'''A may or may not overlap with '''N'''A', and '''N'''B may or may not overlap with '''N'''B', but that it does not have any implication, except that the location where the pieces come from can also be the location where they are temporarily stored. The most obvious case is when '''N'''A equals to '''N'''A', or '''N'''B equals to '''N'''B', which means that pieces of the intersection '''N''' are swapped with pieces of '''N'''A' or '''N'''B', as in [R2, F2]

In other words, all the commutator does is:
* PA goes A
* PB goes B A'
* PN goes B'
[[File:Break down of Commutator A B A B If there is no overlap.gif]]

===== Examples =====

* [R' E2 R, U'] is a 3-cycle of edges, where PA is the back-left edge, PB is the top-front edge and PN is the top-right edge.
* [R' D' R, U'] is a 3-cycle of corners

==== Overlap ====

This is the most complex case, because it is like the "no overlap" case, but with additional interferences.

===== Safe part =====

Some pieces in the intersection '''N''' are hidden in a storage, thus protecting them from being scrambled by the interference due to the overlap.

Let's call '''H'''B the location of pieces hidden by B:

'''H'''B = (('''N'''B) \ '''N''') B'

Similarly, pieces are hidden by A:

'''H'''A = (('''N'''A) \ '''N''') A'

We will also use pieces that are hidden by A' so that they are not affected by B':

'''H'''A' = (('''N'''A') \ '''N''') A

In order to get the same results as in the "no overlap" case, we will redefine the set of pieces:
* PA will be pieces that are brought into '''H'''B by A, i.e. pieces that are at the beginning in '''H'''BA'. This set may overlap with the intersection '''N'''.
* PB will be pieces that are brought into '''H'''A' by B, i.e. pieces that are at the beginning in '''H'''A'B' \ '''N'''
* PN will be pieces that are hidden by A, which are at the beggining in '''H'''A.

We get the same result as before:
* PA goes A
* PB goes B A'
* PN goes B'

====== Example ======

Let's consider [R', F]. The intersection '''N''' is the front-right column (containing the front-right-top corner, the front-right-bottom corner and the front-right edge).

'''H'''B = (('''N'''B) \ '''N''') B' = (('''N'''F) \ '''N''') F'
which is the set of locations containing the front-right edge and the front-right-bottom corner.

So PA are front-right-top corner and top-right edge.

'''H'''A = (('''N'''A) \ '''N''') A' = (('''N'''R') \ '''N''') R

So PN are front-right edge and front-right-bottom corner.

'''H'''A' = (('''N'''A') \ '''N''') A = (('''N'''R) \ '''N''') R'
which is the set of locations containing the front-right-top corner and the front-right edge.

PB are pieces at '''H'''A'B, i.e. front-top edge and front-top-left corner.

So the safe part of [R', F] is similar to a 3-cycle pairs, but is clearly not a 3-cycle of pairs.
* PA goes R', thus replacing PN
* PN goes F, thus replaces a part of PA and a part of PB
* PB goes FR, thus replacing a part of PA and the top-right-back corner (the quirk part '''Q''')
* the top-right-back corner is affected by all moves, R'FRF' = [R': F] F' equivalent to UF', or R'FRF' = R' [F: R] equivalent to R'U, thus going to the top-front-right position, replacing a part of PB

The quirkiness is that the locations of those pairs overlap, and that an extra location is used, the top-right-back corner. Pieces that are initially in this location are moved according a special scheme (see below).

In this example, the top-right-back corner goes to the top-front-right position, thus being separated from the edges around it.

===== Quirk and conjugated part =====

Some pieces are outside of the pseudo 3-cycle and never hidden. Let's call their starting location the quirk part '''Q'''.

'''Q''' = ('''H'''A' \ '''H'''B) A'

Those pieces PQ are never hidden, thus being affected by all moves of the commutator:
* PQ goes A B A' B'

Some pieces are outside of the pseudo 3-cycle, but are hidden by A or B at some point. So they are [[conjugate|conjugated]]. Let's call them PC and their starting location '''C'''.

'''C''' = ('''J''' union '''K''') \ ('''H'''A union '''H'''BA' union '''H'''A'B union '''Q''')

In the overlap case, either '''Q''' or '''C''' is non empty, so there are at least 4 sets of pieces: PA, PB, PN and PQ or PC.

In complex cases, there may be five sets with both PQ and PC.

The quirk part and the conjugated part are used as final locations for pieces that go outside of the pseudo 3-cycle.

====== Example ======

Let's consider [R', F']

'''H'''A is the front-right edge and the front-right-bottom corner. So PN is the set of pieces at these locations.

'''H'''B is the front-right edge and the front-right-top corner. So PA is the top-right edge and the top-right-back corner.

'''H'''A' is the front-right edge and the front-right-top corner. So PB is the front-bottom edge only.

The quirk part is :
'''Q''' = ('''H'''A' \ '''H'''B) A' = empty

The conjugated part is :

'''C''' = ('''J''' union '''K''') \ ('''H'''A union '''H'''BA' union '''H'''A'B union '''Q''') = front-right-top corner and front-bottom-left corner

The front-right-top is affected by R'F'R so it is equivalent to x'F'x which is U'.

The front-bottom-left is affected by F'RF so it is equivalent to z'Rz whichi is D.

So this move does :
* PN, i.e. front-right edge and front-right-bottom corner, goes F
* PA, i.e. top-right edge and top-right-back corner, goes R'
* PB, i.e. front-bottom edge, goes F'R
* the front-right-top corner goes U'
* the front-bottom-left goes D

== General case ==

Pieces can be affected by one, two, three of four elements of the sequence A B A' B'. The gives use the different sets of pieces. For each element of the sequence, there are two possibilities, either a piece is affected by this element, or it is not. So there is a maximum of 24 = 16 sets.

If a piece is not affected by any element, it means that it is completely outside of the commutator.

=== Pieces affected by one element only ===

If a piece is affected by A only, then it is not affected by B and then it is necessarily affected by A', so it is impossible. Same thing for B. If a piece is affected by A' only, it means that it was not affected by B before that, so that it was affected by A. Impossible again. If a piece is affected by B' only, it means that it was not affected by A' before that, so that it was affected by B. Impossible again.

=== Pieces affected by two elements ===

If a piece is affected by A and A', or by B and B', it means that it comes back finally where it comes from. We can ignore them.

If a piece is affected by A and B only, it means that it is not affected by A', so it is necessarily affected by B'. Impossible. If a piece is affected by A and B' only, it is not affected by B, so it is necessarily affected by A'. Impossible again.

If a piece is affected by B and A', it means that it is brought into the intersection by B. They are denoted PB.

=== Pieces affected by three elements ===

If a piece is affected by A and A' B', it means that it is hidden by A so that it is not affected by B. These pieces are denoted PN because they come from the intersection.

If a piece is affected by A B and B', it means that it is brought into the intersection by A, and then hidden by B from A'. These pieces are denoted PA.

If a piece is affected by B A' B', it means that it is brought into the intersection by B and then moved inplace by A. If a piece is affected by A B A', it means that it is affected by the conjugate of B. In both of these cases, let's denote them PC to express that they are affected by conjugates.

=== Pieces affected by all four elements ===

If a piece is affected by all four elements, it means that it is never hidden from the intersection. Thus it is in the quirk part. They are denoted PQ.

=== Summary of sets of pieces ===

In all cases, pieces that are moved by the commutator are in one of these sets:
* PA : pieces moved into the intersection by A and then hidden by B
* PB : pieces moved into the intersection by B and then hidden by A
* PN : pieces hidden by A and then moved out of the intersection of B'
* PC : pieces affected by a conjugate, in all inplace cases and some overlap cases
* PQ : pieces moved by all elements of the sequence of the commutator, in complex inplace cases and some overlap case

== Classification ==

If PA is not empty, then B can hide pieces, thus PB is not empty either. Conversely, if PB is not empty, then PA is not empty.

If PN is not empty, then A and B can hide pieces, thus PA and PB are not empty. Conversely if PA is not empty, it means that pieces are brought into the intersection so that pieces are brought out of the intersection by A, thus PN is not empty.

So either the three sets PA, PB and PN are not empty or the three sets are empty. If these sets are empty, it means that at least A, B or both A and B move pieces inside the intersection '''N''' only. So it is either a trivial case or an inplace case. If both A and B move pieces inside the intersection, let's call it "double inplace".

If it is an inplace case and not a "double inplace", then some pieces are affected by a commutator. Thus PC is not empty.

If the sets PA, PB and PN are not empty, we cannot deduce anything about PQ or PC. If it is the no overlap case, then pieces are hidden either by A or B, so PQ is empty. Conversely, if PQ is empty, then pieces brought by A into the intersection are completely hidden by B. The inverse of the commutator B A B' A' shows that also A hides pieces brought by B, so that it is a no overlap case.

So we get the following possible types of commutators:
* trivial commutator which is equivalent to the identity: [L, R]
* double inplace, A and B move pieces inside the intersection
* single inplace without quirk part, the same transformation is applied twice (the second time in reverse order) without interference: corner twist, edge flip, double swap
* single inplace with quirk part, there is an interference between the conjugated and the non conjugated version of the transformation: [M', U2]
* no overlap, 3-cycle: [R' D' R, U']
* overlap with quirk part and without conjugated part: [R', F]
* overlap with conjugated part and without quirk part: [R', F']
* overlap with both quirk and conjugated part

== See also ==
* [[Commutators and Conjugates]]
* [[Conjugate]]
* [[Transformation]]

[[Category:Puzzle theory]]

Talk:NxNxN Notation

2026-06-04T08:25:18Z

Ck10390: /* Naming of Double Moves */

I think the notation page should mention only basic notation ideas (like UDRBLF) and like to pages like "3x3x3 notation," "WCA notation," etc.

:Yes, that's good, else the page will be wery hard to overview. -- [[User:Kenneth|Kenneth]] 06:35, 28 August 2008 (UTC)

== Definition for E ==

As it was, it was inconsistent. I changed it so that "relative to you", "following D", and the picture were all consistent. However, it strikes me that the original "left relative to you" (i.e., following U) would have been the more obvious way to define it. Given the previous inconsistency, it strikes me that the picture could be wrong, and that "following U" was what really had been intended. Is there a way to resolve this for certain? [[User:DrHow|DrHow]] ([[User talk:DrHow|talk]]) 20:24, 2 July 2015 (UTC)

==Swiss Notation==

I added a section for Swiss Notation. I support the following:
* Splitting the page into separate articles for each flavour of notation.
* Splitting the image into separate images for each section, and floating them to the right.
* Adding system-wide CSS to improve and standardize the appearance of tables.

Perhaps I'll fix these some day.

== Naming of Double Moves ==

It seems somewhat ambiguous the way that "double moves" are worded. There are "double moves", as in a 180 degree rotation, but there are also "double moves" a.k.a. "double standard moves", as in rotating two layers at once.

Maybe we should call the former "double moves" and the latter "wide moves"? The latter would also neatly align with the "w" symbol used in WCA notation for these.

Talk:NxNxN Notation

2026-06-04T08:24:06Z

Ck10390: /* Naming of double moves */

I think the notation page should mention only basic notation ideas (like UDRBLF) and like to pages like "3x3x3 notation," "WCA notation," etc.

:Yes, that's good, else the page will be wery hard to overview. -- [[User:Kenneth|Kenneth]] 06:35, 28 August 2008 (UTC)

== Definition for E ==

As it was, it was inconsistent. I changed it so that "relative to you", "following D", and the picture were all consistent. However, it strikes me that the original "left relative to you" (i.e., following U) would have been the more obvious way to define it. Given the previous inconsistency, it strikes me that the picture could be wrong, and that "following U" was what really had been intended. Is there a way to resolve this for certain? [[User:DrHow|DrHow]] ([[User talk:DrHow|talk]]) 20:24, 2 July 2015 (UTC)

==Swiss Notation==

I added a section for Swiss Notation. I support the following:
* Splitting the page into separate articles for each flavour of notation.
* Splitting the image into separate images for each section, and floating them to the right.
* Adding system-wide CSS to improve and standardize the appearance of tables.

Perhaps I'll fix these some day.

== Naming of Double Moves ==

It seems somewhat ambiguous the way that "double moves" are worded. There are "double moves", as in a 180 degree rotation, but there are also "double moves", as in rotating two layers at once.

Maybe we should call the former "double moves" and the latter "wide moves"? The latter would also neatly align with the "w" symbol used in WCA notation for these.

Talk:NxNxN Notation

2026-06-04T08:23:44Z

Ck10390: /* Naming of double moves */ new section

I think the notation page should mention only basic notation ideas (like UDRBLF) and like to pages like "3x3x3 notation," "WCA notation," etc.

:Yes, that's good, else the page will be wery hard to overview. -- [[User:Kenneth|Kenneth]] 06:35, 28 August 2008 (UTC)

== Definition for E ==

As it was, it was inconsistent. I changed it so that "relative to you", "following D", and the picture were all consistent. However, it strikes me that the original "left relative to you" (i.e., following U) would have been the more obvious way to define it. Given the previous inconsistency, it strikes me that the picture could be wrong, and that "following U" was what really had been intended. Is there a way to resolve this for certain? [[User:DrHow|DrHow]] ([[User talk:DrHow|talk]]) 20:24, 2 July 2015 (UTC)

==Swiss Notation==

I added a section for Swiss Notation. I support the following:
* Splitting the page into separate articles for each flavour of notation.
* Splitting the image into separate images for each section, and floating them to the right.
* Adding system-wide CSS to improve and standardize the appearance of tables.

Perhaps I'll fix these some day.

== Naming of double moves ==

It seems somewhat ambiguous the way that "double moves" are worded. There are "double moves", as in a 180 degree rotation, but there are also "double moves", as in rotating two layers at once.

Maybe we should call the former "double moves" and the latter "wide moves"? The latter would also neatly align with the "w" symbol used in WCA notation for these.

NxNxN Notation

2026-06-04T08:18:04Z

Ck10390: Fix to say that "2" moves are 180 degrees instead of 90

While there have been many other ways to keep notation on [[Rubik's Cube]] moves, the most common method is the use of letters to represent sides or layers of the cube. The following is a list of what those letters are and what they represent. Keep in mind that all designated notations are relative to the face of the cube directly in front of you. After a cube rotation, the letters will be relative to that new side. The lowercase letter ''i'' or an apostrophe or 'prime' symbol can be used to indicate a counterclockwise rotation of the face by 45 degrees. When the letters are lowercase, that side and a certain middle slice are both moved.

==Standard Notation==

'''Illustrated Notated Movements'''
[[File:Notation.png|200px|thumb|left|Click to Enlarge. Credit to Joel van Noort and Badmephisto, whose website is the origin of this picture.]]

'''Standard Moves'''
----
R (right side) = the right face is rotated 90 degrees clockwise (upwards relative to you)
----
L (left side) = the left face is rotated 90 degrees clockwise (downwards relative to you)
----
U (up face) = the top layer is rotated 90 degrees clockwise (left relative to you)
----
D (down face) = the bottom layer is rotated 90 degrees clockwise (right relative to you)
----
F (front face) = the front face is rotated 90 degrees clockwise (right relative to you)
----
B (back face) = the back face is rotated 90 degrees clockwise (left relative to you)
----
M (middle slice) = the middle vertical face is rotated 90 degrees clockwise (downwards relative to you, following L)
----
E (equator slice) = the middle horizontal face is rotated 90 degrees clockwise (right relative to you, following D)
----
S (back slice) = the middle horizontal back face is rotated 90 degrees clockwise (right relative to you, following F)
----
Notes that M, E, and S are considered 'slice' moves, not face moves.

'''Inverted Moves'''
Following any letter, the inverse symbol, whether it is an ''i'' or a prime symbol, will invert the move so that it goes counterclockwise instead of the usual clockwise. Therefore, the moves will be exactly opposite as they are in the Standard Moves section, i.e. R', D', F', etc.

'''Double Moves'''
Adding the number ''2'' after the letter (e.g. R2, E2, U2, etc.) will mean the rotation of that side 180 degrees rather than 90 degrees, so the move will be executed twice, thus the number 2.

'''Double Standard Moves'''
Double Standard Moves are the normal Standard Moves, but with the addition of a middle layer also being moved. This is indicated by either a "w" after the letter (WCA notation), or the letter not being capitalized, but lowercase (Singmaster notation). These moves can also be inverted:

----
Rw/r takes R and M clockwise
----
Lw/l takes L and M clockwise
----
Uw/u takes U and E clockwise
----
Dw/d takes D and E clockwise
----
Fw/f takes F and S clockwise
----
Bw/b takes B and S clockwise
----

Inversely:

----
Rw'/r' takes R and M counterclockwise
----
Lw'/l' takes L and M counterclockwise
----
Uw'/u' takes U and E counterclockwise
----
Dw'/d' takes D and E counterclockwise
----
Fw'/f' takes F and S counterclockwise
----
Bw'/b' takes B and S counterclockwise
----

M, E, and S cannot be moved doubly as the others can.

'''Many Layered Moves'''
Moving beyond [[5x5x5]], the above notations become inadequate, as it becomes impossible to notate the turning of the innermost layers, or any layer beyond the outermost two, and the middle slices. To notate the turning of many (more than two) layers, preface the lower case letter with the number or turned layers, or follow the w with the number of layers. Prime and two (" ' " and "2") still come at the end of the notation. Such notation can be demonstrated in the scrambles of cubes with dimensions higher than NxNxN when n = 5, in such timers as [http://www.qqtimer.net qqtimer.net].

Inversely works just as well. Simply notate the below notations with a prime (" ' ") to make such turns counterclockwise instead of clockwise.

----
3Rw/3r takes the rightmost three layers clockwise
----
3Lw/3l takes the leftmost three layers clockwise
----
3Uw/3u takes the top three layers clockwise
----
3Dw/3d takes the bottom three layers clockwise
----
3Fw/3f takes the front three layers clockwise
----
3Bw/3b takes the back three layers clockwise
----

'''Cube Rotations'''
Besides moving face, the entire cube moving (a cube rotation) can also be written with either an x, y, or z. Often times, since they are not face rotations, they will be enclosed in parenthesis, like (x), (y), or (z) respectively. They can also be inverted the same way as face rotations: x', y' and z'.

----
x = turn the entire cube so that what is on the bottom face is now facing you
----
x' = turn the entire cube so that what is on the top face is now facing you
----
y = turn the entire cube so that what is on the right face is now facing you
----
y' = turn the entire cube so that what is on the left face is now facing you
----
z = turn the entire cube so that what is on the top face is now on the right of you
----
z' = turn the entire cube so that what is on the top face is now on the left of you
----

==Swiss Notation==

Another notation which is occasionally seen is Swiss Notation. This substitutes numbers for the letters identifying the cube faces. Proponents tout the following advantages:
* The notation does not favor any particular language
* Memorization is easier
* Mirroring is easier

<table>
<caption>Swiss Notation</caption>
<tr><th>Face </th><th>CW </th></th><th>CCW </th></tr>

<tr><td>R</td><td>1</td><td>2</td></tr>
<tr><td>L</td><td>3</td><td>4</td></tr>
<tr><td>F</td><td>5</td><td>6</td></tr>
<tr><td>U</td><td>7</td><td>8</td></tr>
<tr><td>B</td><td>9</td><td>0</td></tr>
<tr><td>D</td><td>x</td><td>y</td></tr>

</table>

==Group Referencing==

To notate a group of pieces in a specific position, single turn and any existing wide turn notation can be overlapped. The block reference is the result of this overlap. On the 3x3x3 puzzle, for example, the wide turns u, f, and r notated as ufr reference a 2x2x2 block around the UFR corner. This notation addition was created by [[James Straughan]] as part of NBRS[https://sites.google.com/site/athefre/nbrs] and works for all notations on any puzzle.

[[image:NBRS_Block_Reference.png|600px]]

==External links==
*[https://youtu.be/24eHm4ri8WM?si=17-rgUYbrT3HS-fY J Perm's notation tutorial]

[[Category:Puzzle notations]]