Origami
Fold a single square of paper into a crane, a box or a flower. A pack of paper costs less than a lunch and lasts for months.
What it is like
Origami folds one square of paper, with no cuts and no glue, into a shape. Almost every traditional model grows from a few bases - the square base, the bird base, the waterbomb base - so learning a crane is also learning the start of a hundred other models.
It is the cheapest hobby on this site to begin and one of the deepest: a pack of paper lasts for months, and the same skills scale up to models with hundreds of steps. What makes the difference is precision in the first few creases, and patience with diagrams.
Most origami is learned from diagrams: drawings of each step with a small set of symbols for valley folds, mountain folds, turning the paper over and repeating a move. The notation looks cryptic for a day and then reads like a language, and once it does, thousands of published models open up - from five-step boats to insects with legs and antennae folded from a single uncut square.
The craft rewards precision more than speed. A crease placed a millimetre off at the start becomes a visible flaw twenty steps later, which is why experienced folders line up every corner before pressing and make firm, deliberate creases. It is quiet, tidy and portable: a pack of paper and a flat surface are all it needs, and a finished model can be made on a train or at a kitchen table.
Origami is also unusually good company. Simple and action models delight children, modular pieces are easy to share out among a group, and paper cranes and stars make cheap, personal gifts and decorations.
- A session
- 10 minutes for a simple model to a few hours for a complex one.
- A week
- As little or as much as you like; many folders do a few models a week.
- Season
- All year.
Indoors or out · Solo, For two, With kids, A club
Kinds and styles
The crane, the frog, the boat, the waterbomb: folded from one square with no cuts, passed down for generations. The place every folder starts.
Many identical simple units folded separately and slotted together into stars, balls and geometric solids - no glue needed.
Jumping frogs, flapping birds and fortune tellers that move when you press or pull them. Great with children.
Repeating geometric patterns of twists and pleats folded across a single sheet, often held up to the light.
Dampening thicker paper so it can be shaped into soft curves for animals and figures, then letting it dry hard.
Insects, dragons and figures with dozens of points, designed with crease patterns; hours per model and thin, strong paper.
Is it for you?
You will probably love it if
- You like puzzles and following a precise sequence
- You want a hobby that costs almost nothing and fits in a pocket
- Making small gifts and decorations appeals
Maybe not, if
- Reading step-by-step diagrams frustrates you
- You want something big; most models fit in a palm
- Precise creasing with fingertips is hard for you
What to buy first
- 01Origami paper, 6-inch squares, 500 sheetsThe standard size for learning; thin kami paper holds a sharp creaseFind it on Amazon$14
- 02Bone folderSharpens creases on thick or many-layered folds and saves the fingernailsFind it on Amazon$7
- Everything you need to beginAbout $2 a month after that$21
Typical US prices for entry-level gear, rounded. Last checked October 2026. How we get the numbers
The Amazon links open a search for that type of item, not a product chosen for us, and the prices in the list are our typical figures, or the listing of the shop a line names, not Amazon's price for any listing. If you buy through one we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What to buy next
- 01Larger kami, 10 inchBigger paper makes small details and thick layers easierFind it on Amazon Models with many points
- 02Double-sided and foil paperColor on both sides for boxes and modulars; foil holds sculpted shapesFind it on Amazon Models where both sides show
- 03Origami diagram booksBooks lay out models by difficulty and teach notation properlyFind it on Amazon After the traditional models
- 04Tant or other thicker paperHeavier paper that holds a curve when dampened and driedFind it on Amazon Wet-folding
- 05Paper trimmerClean, exact squares from larger sheetsFind it on Amazon Cutting your own squares
No prices here on purpose: these are later buys, and what to spend depends on how far the hobby has taken you. The Amazon links work like the ones above: a search for the type of item, and a possible commission for us at no extra cost to you.
Origami kits and paper compared
Three book-and-paper kits and two paper packs from one publisher, Tuttle, with what each contains by its own list. The kits teach from diagrams, for when free diagrams have hooked you; the packs are paper to practise on.
| Model | Type | Specs | Who it suits | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Origami for Beginners Kit (Michael G. LaFosse) | Book and paper kit | A 64-page colour booklet with step-by-step diagrams for 45 projects, traditional and new (kite, duck, sailboat, pinwheel, pagoda and more), and 98 sheets of 6 3/4 in paper in 8 colours and patterns plus a sheet of gold foil | A first year of models from diagrams | Find it on AmazonMaker's page |
| Ultimate Origami for Beginners Kit (LaFosse and Alexander) | Book, paper and video | 19 projects with a colour instruction book and video tutorials to stream or download, and 62 double-sided sheets in three sizes; no glue or paint needed | Learning from video as well as diagrams | Find it on AmazonMaker's page |
| My First Origami Kit (Joel Stern) | Kit for children | 60 double-sided 6 in sheets printed for each model, 150 reusable stickers and a 48-page booklet with photos; Tuttle aims it at ages 5 to 10 | Children folding with an adult | Find it on AmazonMaker's page |
| Tuttle Origami Paper, 200 sheets, Vibrant Colors, 6 in (15 cm) | Paper pack | 200 sheets in 12 colours, each with a different colour on the back, and instructions for 5 easy projects | Practice paper in the standard size | Find it on AmazonMaker's page |
| Tuttle Origami Paper, 100 sheets, Colorful Patterns, 8 1/4 in (21 cm) | Paper pack, large | 100 sheets of 8.25 in paper in 12 colour combinations, printed on both sides, with instructions for 5 easy projects | Models that need a bigger square | Find it on AmazonMaker's page |
How we put this together. All contents come from Tuttle Publishing's own product pages, read on 26 October 2026; no prices, because they change. We have not folded through these kits side by side. Checked on 26 October 2026. There are no prices in this table: the Amazon link searches for the exact model, and we may earn a commission if you buy through it.
From reading diagrams to a first crane, and beyond, step by step
Every origami book uses the same diagram language, so learning it once opens all of them. This guide goes from paper and notation to the bases, the folds and the traditional crane, then to the kinds of folding that follow, with the choices at each step. Notation and terms follow Wikipedia.
The short version: a traditional crane in 5 stepsFold the square in half both ways and diagonally both ways, then collapse it along those creases into a small layered square with the open end at the bottom.
Fold the lower edges of the top layer to the center line, fold the top triangle down over them, and unfold all three. These creases guide the next step.
Lift the bottom point of the top layer up along the creases so the sides fold in. Turn over and repeat. This is the bird base.
Narrow both lower flaps by folding their edges to the center, front and back, then inside-reverse-fold them up to make the neck and the tail.
Inside-reverse-fold the tip of the neck to make a head, fold the wings down and gently pull them apart to puff out the body.
The crane, base by base
Three stages drawn flat, with the two fold lines every diagram uses.
- A Square base Collapse Open end down. Step 3 →
- B Bird base Petal fold, twice Front and back. Step 5 →
- C Crane Head, wings Neck and tail reverse-folded first; body puffed out. Step 7 →
Steps 1-2Paper and notation
- Step 1 of 8 · Paper and notation
Choose the paper
Squares from about 2.5 cm to 25 cm are sold for folding (Wikipedia).
Most people: kami, 6-inch squares (learning).
Start here Kami, 6-inch squaresBest forLearning
Thin, coloured on one side, holds a sharp crease.
Copy paperBest forSimple models
Wikipedia notes 70-90 g/m² works for the crane and waterbomb, cut square.
Foil-backed paperBest forModels that hold shape
Thin foil on paper; keeps its shape but creases cannot be undone.
Goes wrong: Card or thick printer paper. It cracks and will not take many layers.
- Step 2 of 8 · Paper and notation
Learn the diagram symbols
Diagrams use the Yoshizawa-Randlett system, proposed by Akira Yoshizawa in the 1950s and the international standard since Samuel Randlett's 1961 book. A dashed line is a valley fold (towards you), a dash-dot line a mountain fold (away from you), a thin line a crease from an earlier step, and a dotted line a hidden crease; arrows show the movement, and separate symbols mean turn over, fold and unfold, rotate, inflate or sink (Wikipedia).
Goes wrong: Ignoring the symbols. Dashed and dash-dot lines mean opposite folds.
Steps 3-7The crane
- Step 3 of 8 · The crane
Fold the square base
The preliminary or square base is one of the standard starting shapes (Wikipedia). Fold the square in half both ways and diagonally both ways, then collapse it along those creases into a small layered square, open end at the bottom.
- Step 4 of 8 · The crane
Make the kite folds
Fold the lower edges of the top layer to the centre line, fold the top triangle down over them, and unfold all three: these creases guide the next step.
Goes wrong: Rushing the precreases. Later steps fold along them; sloppy creases make the collapse impossible.
- Step 5 of 8 · The crane
Petal fold to the bird base
Lift the bottom point of the top layer up along the creases so the sides fold in - a petal fold. Turn over and repeat. The result is the bird base, the intermediate stage of the flapping bird (Wikipedia).
- Step 6 of 8 · The crane
Reverse-fold the neck and tail
Narrow both lower flaps by folding their edges to the centre, front and back, then inside-reverse-fold them up to make the neck and the tail.
- Step 7 of 8 · The crane
Shape the head and wings
A small inside reverse fold near the tip of the neck turns it into the head. Fold both wings down, then hold them and pull gently apart so the body puffs out.
Step 8Next
- Step 8 of 8 · Next
Choose where to go next
Wikipedia describes the main directions folders take.
Most people: modular origami (stars and balls).
Start here Modular origamiBest forStars and balls
Many identical units assembled into one model; kusudama are the best known.
Wet-foldingBest forSoft, sculpted animals
Akira Yoshizawa's method: heavier paper, about 100 g/m² or more, dampened and shaped into curves.
TessellationsBest forGeometric patterns
Repeated twist folds linked by pleats across one sheet, studied systematically by Shuzo Fujimoto in the 1960s.
Technical foldingBest forComplex designs
Crease patterns planned before folding, often by circle packing or box-pleating.
In shortIf it goes wrong
- Card or thick printer paper.
- Step 1 · Choose the paper
- Ignoring the symbols.
- Step 2 · Learn the diagram symbols
- Rushing the precreases.
- Step 4 · Make the kite folds
How you get better
- Week 1Basic folds and a crane
Valley and mountain folds, the square base and the bird base, ending with a crane that looks clean.
- Weeks 2 to 4The traditional set
Frog, waterbomb, boat, box and flapping bird, learning to read diagram symbols along the way.
- Month 2 to 3Modular and action models
A modular star or ball from several units, jumping frogs and other moving models.
- Months 3 to 6Intermediate diagrams
Models with sink folds and many steps; better paper; folding from books rather than videos.
- After thatComplex, wet-folded and your own designs
Insects and figures from crease patterns, tessellations, wet-folded animals and designing models of your own.
- Valley and mountain folds
- Precise creasing
- Reading diagrams
- Square and preliminary base
- Bird base
- Waterbomb base
- Petal fold
- Inside and outside reverse folds
- Squash fold
- Sink fold
- Assembling modular units
- Wet-folding
Small things that help
- Line up corners and edges exactly before pressing the crease - small errors grow with every step.
- Crease firmly with a fingernail or a bone folder; soft creases make the later steps go wrong.
- Look at the next diagram step to see what the current move should produce.
- Practice a new model on cheap paper before folding it from a sheet you like.
- Fold on a hard, flat surface rather than in the air.
- Bigger paper is easier while learning a new model.
Beginner mistakes
- 01Starting with complex modelsDozens of steps and sink folds stall beginners. Master the bases first.
- 02Ignoring diagram symbolsDashed and dotted lines mean different folds, and arrows show direction. Learn the notation once and every diagram becomes readable.
- 03Wrong paperPrinter paper is too thick for many-layered models and cardstock cracks. Thin kami is made for folding.
- 04Rushing the precreasesMany steps fold along creases made earlier. Skipping or rushing them makes the collapse impossible.
Papers for folding
| Paper | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Kami | Thin, colored on one side, cheap | Learning and most traditional models |
| Double-sided | Thin, color on both sides | Models where both sides show |
| Foil-backed | Holds any shape, hard to unfold | Small detailed models, not for re-folding |
| Washi | Fibrous, strong, soft | Gifts and display pieces |
Why people quit
- 01Sloppy first creasesA crease a millimetre off at the start is a centimetre off at the end. Line up the corners exactly and crease firmly before moving on.
- 02Stuck on a diagram stepDiagrams compress a 3D move into a drawing. Look at the next picture too - it shows what the move should produce.
- 03Starting too complexModels with dozens of steps defeat beginners. Cranes, boxes and simple animals teach the bases the complex ones are built on.
Words you will meet
- Valley fold
- Folding the paper toward you, making a V-shaped crease.
- Mountain fold
- Folding the paper away from you, making a ridge.
- Precrease
- A fold made and unfolded to guide a later step.
- Square base
- A small layered square, the first stage of the crane and many other models; also called the preliminary base.
- Bird base
- A long diamond with four flaps, made from the square base with petal folds.
- Petal fold
- Lifting a layer along precreases so the sides fold inward into a long point.
- Reverse fold
- Pushing a flap inside or wrapping it outside itself to change its direction, as for a crane's neck.
- Squash fold
- Opening a flap and pressing it flat into a new shape.
- Kami
- Thin, inexpensive origami paper, colored on one side.
- Crease pattern
- A drawing of all the creases of a model on the unfolded square, used for complex designs.
Questions people ask
Is origami good for kids?
Yes. Simple and action models suit children from about the age they can fold a straight edge; complex models are for patient adults.
Can I use printer paper?
For simple models, cut into squares, yes. Thin origami paper folds more crisply and handles many layers far better.
Do I need scissors or glue?
Traditional origami uses one uncut square and no glue. Some modular and other forms use several squares, still usually without glue.
How do I read origami diagrams?
Learn a handful of symbols - valley and mountain lines, arrows, turn-over and repeat signs. OrigamiUSA's free diagrams are a good place to practice them.
How long does it take to fold a crane?
A first crane takes ten to twenty minutes with a diagram; after a few, a couple of minutes.
How do I fold an origami envelope?
Most folded envelopes are a named designer's model, so fold from the designer's own diagrams. A popular one is Keiji Kitamura's envelope, which locks closed with no glue or scissors; origami.me's free step-by-step tutorial puts it at about 10 minutes from a 24 cm (9.5 in) square of kraft, wrapping or origami paper, or a 15 cm (6 in) square for a smaller one, and suggests printer paper for the first try. It holds a note, a gift card or money.
How do I fold an origami shark?
Nick Robinson's shark is a good next model after the crane: origami.me publishes it free with his permission, rated low-intermediate, 15-20 minutes from a 15 cm (6 in) square of kami. It starts from the square base and petal folds used for the crane above. The eyes are the tricky step; the tutorial says beginners can skip them or fold them bigger.
Where to go next
- 01PapermakingMaking your own sheets - thin, strong washi-style paper folds beautifully. $44 to start
- 02Decorative knotsAnother craft of precise, repeatable steps written in its own notation. $11 to start
How it compares
| Origami | Papermaking | Bookbinding | Decorative knots | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start cost | $21 | $44 | $37 | $11 |
| Each month | $2 | $3 | $5 | $3 |
| Space | A chair | A kitchen counter | A kitchen table | Your lap |
| Noise | Quiet | Low | Quiet | Quiet |
| First result | 20 minutes | 1 weekend | 1 afternoon | 1 evening |
| Mess | None | Water and pulp | Paper trimmings | None |
Where to learn more
- 01OrigamiUSA - free diagramsThe US national origami society, with a free collection of PDF diagrams, conventions and local groups.
- 02British Origami SocietyA long-standing origami society with beginner resources and a large library of diagrams for members.
Sources: Wikipedia, Origami (history) · OrigamiUSA, free diagrams · origami.me, Keiji Kitamura's envelope (free tutorial) · origami.me, Nick Robinson's shark (free tutorial) · Tuttle Publishing, origami kits and paper · Wikipedia, Yoshizawa-Randlett system
Researched and written by the Fjords Team.