Rubik's Cube Guides
3x3x3

Intro

This is the standard Rubik's cube, with dimensions 3x3x3. It is the most common and popular Rubik's cube.
The method for solving is based on the CFOP method.
CFOP stands for 'Cross', 'First 2 layers', 'Orient the last layer' and 'Permutate the last layer'.

Process

Step 1
White cross

Goal

In this step, we want to create a white cross: so the edge pieces next to the white center piece are all white.
We will also make sure to align the edge pieces with the center color on the side.
3x3x3 - White cross

How?

This step is intuitive, you should be able to create the cross without much problems, if you play around with the cube.
Tip: if an edge is not aligned with the center color on the side, rotate that side layer 180 degrees, so the edge piece is next to the yellow center.
Next rotate the layer with the yellow center to position the edge piece next to the correct center color.
Finish by rotating the side layer again 180 degrees, to position the edge piece next to the white center again.

Step 2
First 2 layers

Goal

Next we will solve the complete first 2 layers, so the layer with the white center and the middle layer.
Note that we will also align the corners and edges with the correct colors.
3x3x3 - First 2 layers

How?

In this step it is important to keep track of which layers you rotate, to avoid messing up pieces you already solved, else you will never finish this step.
You will solve one side at a time, so a combination of a corner and the matching edge piece on the bottom 2 layers.
You start by moving the 2 pieces into the top layer.
From then on, it is important to rotate the cube, so that the 2 center pieces of those colors are facing you.
And you can only use the following combination of moves:
So rotating the side layer away from you, a number of rotations of the top layer, followed by rotating the side layer back towards you.

This way, any color that has already been solved, will not be messed up.
It sounds complicated, but it will become clear soon.

For example: the image shows the setup for red and green.
3x3x3 - White cross
Note that: At this point, there are 3 possible scenarios.

Scenario 1 - The white face on the corner is on top

As you can see in the picture, the white face on the red-green-white corner is on the top layer.
3x3x3 - White cross
To solve this side: This will align the 2 pieces and place them in the correct position.

Scenario 2 - The same colors are on top

You can see in the following picture, that red is on top for the corner and edge piece.
3x3x3 - White cross
To solve this side: This will align the 2 pieces and place them in the correct position.

Scenario 3 - Different colors are on top

The last scenario is where the edge and corner have different colors in the top layer, as shown here:
3x3x3 - White cross
To solve this side: This will align the 2 pieces and place them in the correct position.

Conclusion

This part looks complicated, but play around with the scenarios and you will find out it is actually straightforward and intuitive.

Step 3
Orient the last layer

Goal

The next step is to make the top layer all yellow on top. This consists of 2 steps: making the yellow cross and then finishing the yellow face.
3x3x3 - White cross

Create the yellow cross

For this step we will use the following algorithm: F U R U' R' F'
At this point, you will cycle through a number of patterns: for each pattern, rotate the cube to orient the pattern as described below and keep performing the algorithm until the yellow cross is formed.

Finish the yellow face

To complete the yellow face, use the 'Sune' and 'Anti-Sune' algorithms:
(There seems to be different versions of Anti-Sune...?)

Sune: R U R' U R U2 R'
Anti-Sune: R' U' R U' R' U2 R

Again, you will cycle through a number of patterns: for each pattern, rotate the cube to orient the pattern as described below and keep performing one of the algorithms until the yellow face is completed.
There is more info online about exactly which algorithm to use in which orientation, but this approach is easy and rather efficient to get started.
You can always dig deeper into this step, once you get more advanced.

Step 4
Permutate the last layer

Goal

The last step will of course finish the cube.
It also takes 2 steps: making the 'headlights' and then rotating the edges.

Making the 'headlights'

'Headlights' is when you have the same color faces on 1 side of the top layer.
For example: in the situation below, you can see the blue headlights.
3x3x3 - White cross
You are going to solve all the headlights, using the following algorithm:
(R' F R') B2 (R F' R') B2 R2
If you already have a pair of headlights, rotate the cube so that the headlights are in the back and perform the algorithm until you have all of them.
(You should have to perform this algorithm 1 or 2 times, but not more than that.)

Rotate the edges

At this point, the cube is almost finished, except for the edges in the top layer.
You will solve this using the following algorithm, which rotates the edges of the left, right and front layer in a clockwise direction:
F2 U (R' L) F2 (R L') U F2
If you have 1 edge which is already in the correct position, rotate the cube so that this edge is in the back and perform the algorithm until all edges are in the correct position.
Again, there are different algorithms for each specific situation, which solve the cube in 1 step. But this approach only requires you to memorize 1 algorithm.

Solved!

3x3x3 - White cross
Congratulations, you have solved the cube!
Using this approach, you only need to memorize 4 algorithms, which is great for getting started.
My fastest time using this method is about 1 minute.