Cube Notation

Introduction

Cube algorithms notation is a system of characters or symbols used to represent specific sequences of moves or turns applied to a cube or one or more of its faces or slices (layers). These systems help cubers write, share, and use algorithms.

There are three widely recognized types of notations:

1. Alphanumeric Notation, which uses letters, often referencing cube faces or axes names, along with additional characters and digits to represent different turn kinds.
2. Finger Trick Notation, which also contains letters and numbers, is used in addition to other notations to indicate the ergonomic use of specific finger or wrist to reduce the solving time.
3. Pictographic Notation, which uses a sequence of small pictures or cube symbols to graphically depict the slices (layers) to be turned and the direction of turns.

The CubePal app supports classic and other multilingual alphanumeric notations and offers the possibility to switch between them and convert them. Pictographic and finger trick notations are not supported by CubePal.

CubePal Notations

The CubePal app supports the following notations:

1. English Default
2. English Lowercased
3. English Big Cubes
4. English Superset
5. Dutch (Nederlandse notatie)
6. French (Notation française)
7. German (Deutsche Notation)
8. Italian (Notazione italiana)
9. Russian Standard (Русское стандартное обозначение)
10. Russian Simplified (Русское упрощенное обозначение)
11. Spanish (Notación española)

Switching Notations

You can switch between different notations in the CubePal app Settings. To do this, tap the Settings button in the top left corner, then select Notations... and choose your preferred notation from the list. A notation preview is provided in the notations list and in the Algorithm Settings header.

CubePal Links Notation

The CubePal Links use English Default notation to ensure that all algorithms are consistent and unambiguous. This default notation is used for the import and export of CubePal Links.

Example: https://alg.cubepal.app?=R-_F_U_R

In any case, if you selected a different notation in App Settings, CubePal Links will automatically convert the algorithm when opened in the app, using your preferred notation. Additionally, if applicable, shared algorithms will be exported in both your preferred and the default notations.

General Guidelines

Regardless of the notation used, the app uses the following general guidelines:

• Half turns (180-degree rotations) are represented by appending 2 after the respective turn like in R2. It is important to note that the CubePal app does not support other digits to denote different non-standard multiple turns or inversions like R3.
• Move inversions are marked by appending an apostrophe ' after the respective turn like in U'. The app provides a set of different inversion marks: ',′,ⁱ and -, which can be modified in the app Settings. Furthermore, the CubePal app accommodates differences in keyboards or personal preferences by allowing pasting and automatic conversion to your preferred inversion mark of dozens of non-standard characters used for inverted moves. Please note that other notations (French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish) prefer to represent some inversions of middle or inner slices turns without using inversion marks, as shown in the tables below.
• The app supports inverted half turns like R2'. This notation is disabled by default, but you can enable it in the app Settings. Take note that the inversion mark is always appended after half turn digit 2 like in F2'.

Supported notations

The CubePal app supports notations for the most common turns of cubes ranging from 2×2×2 up to 5×5×5 and may or may not include some specific notations for non-standard multiple slices (layers) turns.

While the app supports notation for all its cubes, certain move notations intended for big cubes may be applied differently or unexpectedly, or simply ignored in case of smaller cubes. For more information, please check the tables below.

CubePal Notations

Face (Single Outer Slices) Turns

Wide (Two Outer Slices) Turns

Single Inner Slice Turns

Middle Slice Turns

Cube Turns (Entire Cube Rotations)

Disclaimer

The provided notations within the CubePal app are presented "as is" and are based on common or widely recognized conventions used by a substantial number of cubers worldwide. These notations are intended to facilitate a more straightforward understanding and sharing of algorithms within the cubing community, especially for learning purposes.

Users are advised that variations and preferences in notation may exist, and the choice of using a particular notation remains at the discretion of the individual. It's important for users to recognize that discrepancies in notation could potentially cause confusion and errors. The CubePal app aims to support popular notations while simultaneously promoting standard notation to enhance accessibility and collaboration among users.

Contributions

If you have suggestions or corrections regarding CubePal notations, feel free to contact us using our contact form. Your feedback is helping us make the CubePal app even better.

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