Mountain and Valley Folds

These are the two basic folds in origami for beginners. Pretty much every fold is either a mountain fold, a valley fold or a combination of the two.

Mountain Fold

With a Mountain Fold the crease bends the paper down and the crease resembles a mountain.

With a Valley Fold the crease bends the paper up and the crease resembles a valley.

Common Origami Folds

Here are the most common folds with step by step instructions how to make them. These folds might not look exactly the same as they do in these examples all the time when you’re folding other models. However these examples should show you how they work so you’ll be able to figure out what you’re supposed to do when you’re following diagrams.

Note: These diagrams are intentionally exaggerated and distorted to show as many flaps of paper as possible and make them easier to follow. When you fold origami models on your own almost all the time you’ll need to crease each fold very well and press everything completely flat.

Inside Reverse Fold

This is a very common fold in origami where the paper is folded inside of the model.

Inside Reverse Fold Step 1

Step 1) Start with a square of paper, white side up and fold it in half diagonally. This isn’t actually part of the Inside Reverse Fold but it’ll give you a shape that you can use to make the Inside Reverse Fold on.

Inside Reverse Fold Step 2

Step 2) Fold along the dotted line. This is where you’re going to make the inside reverse fold. Your fold doesn’t have to match the exact position of the line so don’t worry if it doesn’t measure up exactly.

Inside Reverse Fold Step 3

Step 3) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Inside Reverse Fold Step 4

Step 4) Turn the paper over.

Inside Reverse Fold Step 5

Step 5) Make a fold along the dotted line. This will be the opposite side of the fold you made earlier. Now you’re folding this the other way.

Inside Reverse Fold Step 6

Step 6) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Inside Reverse Fold Step 7

Step 7) Turn the paper over again so it’s back the way it was before.

Inside Reverse Fold Step 8

Step 8) Push the paper inside the model following the two folds you made before.

Inside Reverse Fold Step 9

Step 9) Push the paper all the way inside the model and flatten along the creases you already made.

The Completed Inside Reverse Fold

The completed Inside Reverse Fold. The dotted line shows the path of the paper inside the model.

Outside Reverse Fold

The fold is the opposite of the Inside Reverse Fold. This time the paper is folded outside of the model.

Outside Reverse Fold Step 1

Step 1) Start with a square of paper, white side up and fold it in half diagonally. This isn’t part of the Outside Reverse Fold but it will give us a shape we can use to demonstrate the fold.

Outside Reverse Fold Step 2

Step 2) Fold the paper along the dotted line. This will be where you will make the Outside Reverse Fold. Your fold doesn’t have to line up exactly where the line is so don’t worry about making it completely perfect.

Outside Reverse Fold Step 3

Step 3) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Outside Reverse Fold Step 4

Step 4) Turn the paper over.

Outside Reverse Fold Step 5

Step 5) Fold the paper along the dotted line. This will be the opposite side of the crease you made earlier.

Outside Reverse Fold Step 6

Step 6) Crease this well and then unfold it.

Outside Reverse Fold Step 7

Step 7) Fold the paper outside the model along the creases you already made. To make it a bit easier you can open the model up.

Outside Reverse Fold Step 8

Step 8) Fold the paper down along the creases you already made.

Outside Reverse Fold Step 9

Step 9) As you fold the paper down close the model up again along the crease you made in step 1. The paper you folded down should flatten nicely on the outside of the model.

Outside Reverse Fold Step 10

The completed Outside Reverse Fold. It’s the opposite of the Inside Reverse Fold. The shape of the fold is essentially the same it’s just folded the other way and outside the model.

Rabbit Ear Fold

This fold results in a flap of paper that kind of resembles a rabbit's ear which is where the fold gets its name.

Rabbit Ear Fold Step 1

Step 1) Start with a square of paper with the white side up. Fold the paper in half along the dotted line and then unfold it. You will use this line a guide in later steps.

Rabbit Ear Fold Step 2

Step 2) Fold the paper along the dotted line. It should line up with the crease you made in step 1.

Rabbit Ear Fold Step 3

Step 3) Crease this well and unfold.

Rabbit Ear Fold Step 4

Step 4) Fold the paper on the other side along the dotted line. It should also line up with the crease you made in step 1.

Rabbit Ear Fold Step 5

Step 5) Crease this well and unfold it.

Rabbit Ear Fold Step 6

Step 6) Fold both sides of the paper along the dotted lines back to the centre following the two creases you just made. The paper will bunch up in the middle and you will make a new crease along that small vertical dotted line.

Rabbit Ear Fold Step 7

Step 7) After step 6 you should have a triangle shaped flap of paper. Fold this down to the side. In general it doesn’t matter which side you fold this flap down to. Different models will have different instructions for which side to fold it to.

Rabbit Ear Fold Step 8

The completed Rabbit Ear Fold.

Squash Fold

With this fold you essentially take a flap of paper and squash it flat.

Squash Fold Step 1

Step 1) This example starts with a Preliminary Base. The instructions for this base are further in this guide. Squash folds can be performed on a variety of different shapes, not just this base.

Squash Fold Step 2

Step 2) There are four flaps of paper on this base, lift one of them up. You will make a squash fold on this flap.

Squash Fold Step 3

Step 3) Push down on the crease so you completely flatten the flap. Make sure both sides are symmetrical.

Squash Fold Step 4

The completed Squash Fold.

Pleat

This is a very simple, basic fold.

Pleat Step 1

Step 1) This example uses a rectangle shaped sheet of paper but you can easily make this fold with a square or any other shape. Fold the paper to the side along the dotted line.

Pleat Step 2

Step 2) Fold the paper back the other way along the dotted line. Note that this new fold is a little bit to the left of the first fold you made.

Pleat Step 3

The Completed Pleat. If you look at the shape of the fold from the side it kind of looks like a letter Z.

Crimp

This is very much like a Pleat but made on the outside of the paper almost like an Outside Reverse Fold.

Crimp Step 1

Step 1) Start off with a square sheet of paper with the white side up. Fold the paper in half along the dotted line and then unfold it.

Crimp Step 2

Step 2) Next make a Pleat by folding the paper to the left along the dotted line. Your fold doesn’t have to match the one in the diagram exactly. It just needs to be roughly in the same place.

Crimp Step 3

Step 3) Fold the paper back to the right along the dotted line. Your fold doesn’t need to be exactly in the same place as the diagram. This is just practice. You now have a Pleat.

Crimp Step 4

Step 4) Fold the paper in half again along the crease you made in step 1.

Crimp Step 5

The completed Crimp. Notice how it’s kind of like a pleat made on the outside of both sides of the paper.

Petal Fold

This is a fairly common fold and it's part of the Bird Base.

Petal Fold Step 1

Step 1) For this example start off with a Square Base. The instructions for this base are later in this guide. This is the most common way to make a Petal Fold. Fold the top right flap of paper to the centre along the dotted line.

Petal Fold Step 2

Step 2) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Petal Fold Step 3

Step 3) Fold the top left flap of paper to the centre along the dotted line.

Petal Fold Step 4

Step 4) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Petal Fold Step 5

Step 5) Fold the top part of the model down along the dotted line. The end points of this line should line up with the tops of the lines from the two creases you just made.

Petal Fold Step 6

Step 6) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Petal Fold Step 7

Step 7) Open up the top flap of paper folding it upwards along the horizontal crease you just made.

Petal Fold Step 8

Step 8) As you lift the paper up also fold in the sides along the two creases you made on each side.

Petal Fold Step 9

Step 9) Lift the paper all the way up and flatten everything along the 3 creases you already made. If you made the creases well everything should fall into place easily.

Petal Fold Step 10

The completed Petal Fold.

Petal Fold Variation

This is a slightly less common variation of the Petal Fold. It's used in the Frog Base.

Petal Fold Variation Step 1

Step 1) Start off with a Square Base that has one of the four flaps Squash Folded. This is the exact shape that you’ll usually see this Petal Fold Variation made on. Fold the top right flap to the centre along the dotted line.

Petal Fold Variation Step 2

Step 2) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Petal Fold Variation Step 3

Step 3) Fold the top left flap to the centre along the dotted line.

Petal Fold Variation Step 4

Step 4) Crease this well and then unfold it.

Petal Fold Variation Step 5

Step 5) Lift the top flap of paper up along the dotted horizontal line opening it up. There is no pre-existing crease along this line so you’ll have to make it yourself as you fold the flap up.

Petal Fold Variation Step 6

Step 6) As you fold up the flap of paper also fold in the sides along the creases you already made on each side and push everything flat.

The Completed Petal Fold Variation

The completed Petal Fold Variation.

Swivel Fold

The Swivel Fold comes up a lot in origami and is somewhat similar to the Petal Fold Variation.

Swivel Fold Step 1

Step 1) Start off with a Square Base that has one of the four flaps Squash Folded. You can make a swivel fold on many different shapes but this one is easy to demonstrate. Fold the top left flap of paper to the centre along the dotted line.

Swivel Fold Step 2

Step 2) Crease this fold well and unfold it.

Swivel Fold Step 3

Step 3) Lift up the top flap of paper making a fold along the dotted line from the top of the previous fold to the corner of the top coloured section of paper. There isn’t a crease here already so you’ll have to make this fold on your own as best you can.

Swivel Fold Step 4

Step 4) As you fold along that dotted line the paper will automatically fold along the crease you already made on the left side. Push everything completely flat.

The Completed Swivel Fold

The completed Swivel Fold.

Open Sink

This is the most difficult fold in this guide. If you can't fold it now don't worry. Keep practicing and eventually you'll get it. You won't see this fold in any beginner level models anyways.

Open Sink Step 1

Step 1) For this example start off with a Square Base. The instructions for this base are later in this guide. Fold the top part of the model down along the dotted line. This is just practice so don’t worry about making your fold in exactly the same place as the diagram.

Open Sink Step 2

Step 2) Crease this fold very well and then unfold it.

Open Sink Step 3

Step 3) Turn the model over.

Open Sink Step 4

Step 4) Fold the top part of the model down along the dotted line. This will be along the crease you already made. Now you’re folding it the opposite direction.

Open Sink Step 5

Step 5) Crease this fold very well and then unfold it.

Open Sink Step 6

Step 6) The easiest way to make the Open Sink in this example is to open the paper up completely.

Open Sink Step 7

Step 7) Push the paper inside the model following the square of creases that you made.

Open Sink Step 8

Step 8) As you push the paper inside start to close the model back up folding along the creases that make the Square Base.

Open Sink Step 9

Step 9) Continue sinking the paper inside the model following the existing creases and continue to close the model back into the Square Base.

Open Sink Step 10

Step 10) Your paper should look something like this. Fold everything completely flat.

The Completed Open Sink

The completed Open Sink. The dotted line shows the path of the paper inside the model. Instead of sticking out like it was before the triangle at the top is now sunk inside the model.

Origami Bases

There are several bases in origami that are used to start many different models. For example the bird base is the start of many paper birds. Often times you’ll see instructions telling you to start with a particular base just to save some time or space in the instructions. There aren’t too many bases and you’ll see the same ones repeated a lot of times in different models.

Kite Base

This is the most simple base in origami and it kind of looks like a kite which is where the name comes from.

Kite Base Step 1

Step 1) Start with a square sheet of paper with the white side up. Fold it in half along the dotted line and unfold. You will use this line as a guide in later steps.

Kite Base Step 2

Step 2) Fold the right side of the paper along the dotted line to the centre.

Kite Base Step 3

Step 3) Fold the left side of the paper along the dotted line to the centre.

The Completed Kite Base

The completed Kite Base.

Square or Preliminary Base

This is probably the most common base in origami and is used in many different models. Sometimes this base is called a Square Base and sometimes it's referred to as a Preliminary Base.

Square Base Step 1

Step 1) Start with a square sheet of paper with the white side up. Fold it in half along the dotted line.

Square Base Step 2

Step 2) Fold the paper in half again along the dotted line.

Square Base Step 3

Step 3) Bring the top flap of paper up.

Square Base Step 4

Step 4) Squash fold this flap of paper down. Make sure you keep both sides symmetrical. You should end up with a diamond shape.

Square Base Step 5

Step 5) Turn the model over.

Square Base Step 6

Step 6) Lift up the top left flap of paper to the middle.

Square Base Step 7

Step 7) Squash fold this flap of paper down. Make sure you keep both sides symmetrical. You should end up with a diamond shape matching the one on the other side.

Square Base Step 8

The completed Square or Preliminary Base.

Water Bomb Base

This base is used to fold the traditional origami Water Bomb and that's where it gets its name. The base is used to fold lots of other things as well.

Waterbomb Base Step 1

Step 1) Start with a square piece of paper with the coloured side up. Fold it in half along the dotted line. Crease this well and then unfold.

Waterbomb Base Step 2

Step 2) Fold the paper in half the other way along the dotted line. Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Waterbomb Base Step 3

Step 3) Turn the paper over so the white side is now facing up.

Waterbomb Base Step 4

Step 4) Fold the paper in half diagonally along the dotted line. Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Waterbomb Base Step 5

Step 5) Fold the paper in half diagonally the other way along the dotted line. Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Waterbomb Base Step 6

Step 6) Fold the paper together following the two diagonal creases and the horizontal crease that you already made.

Waterbomb Base Step 7

Step 7) Push in the sides and fold the paper in half horizontally following the creases you already made.

Waterbomb Base Step 8

Step 8) The model should come together along the existing creases to make a shape that looks like this. Press everything flat along the existing creases.

The Completed Waterbomb Base

The completed Water Bomb Base.

Bird Base

This base is used to fold a lot of different origami birds including the paper crane and that's where it gets its name from. It's a very common base though and can also be used to fold all kinds of other things.

Bird Base Step 1

Step 1) Start with a square sheet of paper with the white side up. Fold it in half along the dotted line.

Bird Base Step 2

Step 2) Fold the paper in half again along the dotted line.

Bird Base Step 3

Step 3) Bring the top flap of paper up.

Bird Base Step 4

Step 4) Squash fold this flap of paper down. Make sure you keep both sides symmetrical. You should end up with a diamond shape.

Bird Base Step 5

Step 5) Turn the model over.

Bird Base Step 6

Step 6) Lift up the top left flap of paper to the middle.

Bird Base Step 7

Step 7) Squash fold this flap of paper down. Make sure you keep both sides symmetrical. You should end up with a diamond shape matching the one on the other side. You now have a Square Base.

Bird Base Step 8

Step 8) Fold the top right flap of paper to the centre along the dotted line.

Bird Base Step 9

Step 9) Crease this fold well and unfold it.

Bird Base Step 10

Step 10) Fold the top left flap of paper to the centre along the dotted line.

Bird Base Step 11

Step 11) Crease this fold well and unfold it.

Bird Base Step 12

Step 12) Fold the top of the model down along the dotted horizontal line. The end points of this horizontal line will line up with the tops of the creases on either side.

Bird Base Step 13

Step 13) Crease this fold well and unfold it.

Bird Base Step 14

Step 14) Petal Fold the top flap of paper up along the dotted line. There is already a crease here from the previous step.

Bird Base Step 15

Step 15) Continue lifting up the top flap of paper while folding in the sides along the existing creases.

Bird Base Step 16

Step 16) Push everything flat along the existing creases.

Bird Base Step 17

Step 17) The completed Petal Fold. Turn the model over.

Bird Base Step 18

Step 18) Fold the top right flap of paper to the centre along the dotted line.

Bird Base Step 19

Step 19) Crease this fold well and unfold it.

Bird Base Step 20

Step 20) Fold the top left flap of paper to the centre along the dotted line.

Bird Base Step 21

Step 21) Crease this fold well and unfold it.

Bird Base Step 22

Step 22) Fold the top of the model down along the dotted horizontal line. You already folded this on the opposite side of the model so there will already be a crease here. Now you will fold it the other way.

Bird Base Step 23

Step 23) Crease this fold well and unfold it.

Bird Base Step 24

Step 24) Petal Fold the top flap of paper up along the dotted line. There is already a crease here from the previous step.

Bird Base Step 25

Step 25) Continue lifting up the top flap of paper while folding in the sides along the existing creases.

Bird Base Step 26

Step 26) Push everything flat along the existing creases.

The Completed Bird Base

The completed Bird Base.

Fish Base

This base is used to fold a traditional origami fish which is where its name comes from.

Fish Base Step 1

Step 1) Start with a square sheet of paper with the white side up. Fold it in half along the dotted line and then unfold it. You will use this crease a guide line in later steps.

Fish Base Step 2

Step 2) Fold the bottom right part of the paper to the centre along the dotted line.

Fish Base Step 3

Step 3) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Fish Base Step 4

Step 4) Fold the top right part of the paper to the centre along the dotted line.

Fish Base Step 5

Step 5) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Fish Base Step 6

Step 6) Make a Rabbit Ear Fold on the right side of the model following the existing creases.

Fish Base Step 7

Step 7) Fold the flap of paper to the bottom and fold everything flat.

Fish Base Step 8

Step 8) Fold the bottom left part of the paper to the centre along the dotted line.

Fish Base Step 9

Step 9) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Fish Base Step 10

Step 10) Fold the top left part of the paper to the centre along the dotted line.

Fish Base Step 11

Step 11) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Fish Base Step 12

Step 12) Make a Rabbit Ear Fold on the left side of the model following the existing creases.

Fish Base Step 13

Step 13) Fold the flap of paper to the bottom and fold everything flat.

The Completed Fish Base

The completed Fish Base.

Frog Base

This is the start of a traditional origami frog which is where this base gets its name. This is probably the most complicated one of the traditional origami bases.

Frog Base Step 1

Step 1) Start with a square sheet of paper with the white side up. Fold it in half along the dotted line.

Frog Base Step 2

Step 2) Fold the paper in half again along the dotted line.

Frog Base Step 3

Step 3) Bring the top flap of paper up.

Frog Base Step 4

Step 4) Squash fold this flap of paper down. Make sure you keep both sides symmetrical. You should end up with a diamond shape.

Frog Base Step 5

Step 5) Turn the model over.

Frog Base Step 6

Step 6) Lift up the top left flap of paper to the middle.

Frog Base Step 7

Step 7) Squash fold this flap of paper down. Make sure you keep both sides symmetrical. You should end up with a diamond shape matching the one on the other side. You now have a Square Base.

Frog Base Step 8

Step 8) Bring the top left flap of paper up and towards the middle.

Frog Base Step 9

Step 9) Squash Fold this flap down.

Frog Base Step 10

Step 10) Push everything flat and make sure everything is squashed symmetrically.

Frog Base Step 11

Step 11) Fold the top right flap of paper over to the left.

Frog Base Step 12

Step 12) Bring the top right flap of paper up and towards the middle.

Frog Base Step 13

Step 13) Squash Fold this flap down.

Frog Base Step 14

Step 14) Push everything flat and make sure everything is squashed symmetrically.

Frog Base Step 15

Step 15) Turn the model over.

Frog Base Step 16

Step 16) Bring the top left flap of paper up and towards the middle.

Frog Base Step 17

Step 17) Squash Fold this flap down.

Frog Base Step 18

Step 18) Push everything flat and make sure everything is squashed symmetrically.

Frog Base Step 19

Step 19) Fold the top right flap over to the left.

Frog Base Step 20

Step 20) Bring the top right flap of paper up and towards the middle.

Frog Base Step 21

Step 21) Squash Fold this flap down.

Frog Base Step 22

Step 22) Push everything flat and make sure everything is squashed symmetrically.

Frog Base Step 23

Step 23) Take a moment to make sure your model looks like the diagram above. There should be 4 flaps of paper on each side.

Frog Base Step 24

Step 24) Fold the top right flap of paper to the middle along the dotted line.

Frog Base Step 25

Step 25) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Frog Base Step 26

Step 26) Fold the top left flap of paper to the middle along the dotted line.

Frog Base Step 27

Step 27) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Frog Base Step 28

Step 28) Fold a Petal Fold Variation along the horizontal dotted line and the creases you made earlier.

Frog Base Step 29

Step 29) Lift up along the dotted line in the previous step and fold everything flat along the existing creases.

Frog Base Step 30

Step 30) The completed Petal Fold Variation. You’re going to do this 3 more times.

Frog Base Step 31

Step 31) Fold the top left flap of paper along the dotted line in the centre over to the right.

Frog Base Step 32

Step 32) Fold the new top left flap of paper along the dotted line in the centre over the right.

Frog Base Step 33

Step 33) Fold the top right flap of paper to the centre along the dotted line.

Frog Base Step 34

Step 34) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Frog Base Step 35

Step 35) Fold the top left flap of paper to the centre along the dotted line.

Frog Base Step 36

Step 36) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Frog Base Step 37

Step 37) Fold a Petal Fold Variation along the horizontal dotted line and the creases you made earlier.

Frog Base Step 38

Step 38) Lift up along the dotted line in the previous step and fold everything flat along the existing creases.

Frog Base Step 39

Step 39) Turn the model over.

Frog Base Step 40

Step 40) Fold the top right flap of paper to the centre along the dotted line.

Frog Base Step 41

Step 41) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Frog Base Step 42

Step 42) Fold the top left flap of paper to the centre along the dotted line.

Frog Base Step 43

Step 43) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Frog Base Step 44

Step 44) Fold a Petal Fold Variation along the horizontal dotted line and the creases you made earlier.

Frog Base Step 45

Step 45) Lift up along the dotted line in the previous step and fold everything flat along the existing creases.

Frog Base Step 46

Step 46) Fold the top left flap of paper along the dotted line in the centre over to the right.

Frog Base Step 47

Step 47) Fold the new top left flap of paper along the dotted line in the centre over the right.

Frog Base Step 48

Step 48) Fold the top right flap of paper to the centre along the dotted line.

Frog Base Step 49

Step 49) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Frog Base Step 50

Step 50) Fold the top left flap of paper to the centre along the dotted line.

Frog Base Step 51

Step 51) Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Frog Base Step 52

Step 52) Fold a Petal Fold Variation along the horizontal dotted line and the creases you made earlier.

Frog Base Step 53

Step 53) Lift up along the dotted line in the previous step and fold everything flat along the existing creases.

The Completed Frog Base

The Completed Frog Base. What you just did was take a Square Base, Squash Fold each of the 4 flaps and then made a Petal Fold on each one. You can fold each of the flaps in any order you want but if you followed these instructions exactly everything should be perfect. Take a moment to check that you have the same number of flaps of paper on each side of the model.

Folding Your First Model, the Traditional Origami Crane

Once you’ve got the hang of all the above folds and bases you’re more than ready to fold the traditional paper crane. The crane will start off with a bird base and after that most of the work is already done. This is probably the most famous model in origami and is the first thing I learned how to fold.

According to legend if you fold a thousand of these you get a ton of good luck or you're granted a wish.

Click Here for the Paper Crane Instructions

Paper Cranes

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You’ll find easy-to-follow instructions for all of these models:

The diagrams in this book are incredibly detailed and very easy to follow. You won’t find any intimidating instructions like “repeat steps 20 to 30 on the other side” without any visual guides. The models are grouped by difficulty and by the techniques you’ll practice.

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Looking for Even More Origami Instructions?

We have an absolutely massive database of origami diagrams that you can find for free on the Internet. If you’ve successfully understood all the techniques on this page you should have no trouble folding anything that’s either Beginner or Easy level difficulty.

If you prefer video instructions we have a giant database of those too. Video instructions can be especially helpful as you can see exactly how the paper moves between each step.

Instructions for the best origami models can only be found in books. If you’re still looking for more awesome things to fold check out our list of favourite books. We’ve written reviews and made lists of the models you’ll find in each one. No matter what you’re looking for you’ll definitely find some cool things to fold.