How to make a paper crane
The orizuru: the most famous origami of all. Here's the traditional origami crane, step by step: a diagram for every fold below, and every step playing in 3D in Crease, so you can watch the paper move and turn it round.
You need: a square of paper (15 cm or 6 in is ideal). Coloured on one side is best, but any paper works.
Free in your browser. Watch each fold, slow it down, turn it round.
Step by step
The dashed line is a valley fold (fold towards you); dash-dot is a mountain fold (fold behind). The arrow shows where the paper goes.
Fold the paper in half corner to corner, crease it well and open it again. Then do the same with the other two corners.
Turn the paper over.
Fold it in half edge to edge and open it. Then fold it in half the other way and open it.
Bring the four corners together at the bottom. The creases fold it into a small square: the preliminary base.
Fold the lower edges of the top flaps in to the centre line, and open them again.
Fold the top triangle down over the creases you just made, and open it again.
Petal fold: lift the bottom corner of the top layer up, and let the sides fold in along the creases until it lies flat.
Turn it over.
Fold the lower edges in to the centre line again, and open them.
Petal fold this side too: lift the bottom corner up and flatten it. This is the bird base.
Fold the lower edges of the top layer in to the centre line, to make the legs thin.
Do the same behind: fold the back edges in to the centre too.
Inside reverse fold the right leg up: open its layers a little and push it up between them, so it points up and out. This is the neck.
Inside reverse fold the other leg up the same way, for the tail.
Inside reverse fold the tip of the neck down to make the head.
Fold the front wing down, and the back wing down behind.
Hold the base of the neck and the tail and gently pull the wings out. Your crane is ready to fly!
Done! Well folded.
Tips
- Line up the corners or edges first, then press the crease flat from the middle outwards.
- Run a fingernail along every crease: sharp creases make the later steps easier.
- Stuck on a step? Open Crane in Crease and watch it fold in 3D, as slowly as you like.
More easy origami
Origami for beginners: the folds, the bases and where to start →