How to make an origami heart
For Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or just because. Here's an easy origami heart, 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 side to side and open it again, to make a centre line.
Fold the top edge down to the middle.
Fold the bottom edge up to meet the top edge.
Fold the right side up so its bottom edge lies along the centre line. Then the left side the same way. It makes a V.
Turn it over.
Fold the four top corners behind, to round off the heart: the outside corners, then the two in the middle. Give it to someone you love!
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 Heart 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 →