Folding Guide
Fold a paper crane
17 animated steps · one square sheet · sharp creases. The 3-D moves (the petal fold and reverse folds) are broken into extra frames and shown from an angle.—Then build the lily →
Prefer video or photos? Watch a tutorial · Photo step-by-step
Start coloured-side up
A true square — 15 cm is a forgiving size to learn on.
Fold corner to corner
Valley-fold one diagonal and unfold — watch it loop.
Then the other diagonal
The first crease is now flat; add the second.
Flip, then fold in half
Turn the paper over and fold edge to edge.
Crease the last line
Eight creases now meet at the centre — a star.
Collapse into a square
Push the two side corners in; all four corners meet at the bottom.
The square base
Open seam at the bottom; two loose flaps on each side.
Lower edges to the centre
Front layer only. The back face shows as you fold.
Fold the top down, then unfold
Front layer only. This just sets the crease for the petal fold.
Petal fold ① — lift the front flap
Take the bottom point of the front layer only and raise it straight up. The inside opens.
Petal fold ② — squeeze sides in, press flat
As it stands up the two side edges pinch to the centre; flatten it into a long point.
Petal fold done — a tall diamond
Pressed flat, the front is one smooth narrow point.
Repeat behind → the bird base
Do steps 8–12 on the back layer too. Now both faces are smooth, with two thin points below.
Narrow the two points
Fold each lower outer edge to the centre line — front and back.
Reverse-fold a point up (neck)
Side view. Open the layers a little and swing one point up between them so it locks — an inside reverse fold.
Reverse-fold the tail; make the head
Do the same to the other point for the tail, then a tiny reverse fold at the neck tip forms the head.
Open the wings — done!
Gently pull the two wings outward and round the body with a puff of air. Your crane stands.