How to make an Easy Origami Butterfly
Traditional/Unknow If you’re in the mood for a gentle, timeless fold, this is a lovely model to start with. In this post, you’ll learn to fold this origami butterfly, a traditional design that’s simple, elegant, and still very expressive.
Butterflies are often associated in Japan with change and transformation, which makes them a natural subject for origami. This model doesn’t rely on complexity. A few clean folds are enough to give it a soft, balanced shape that works just as well as a small decoration as it does as a gift.
It also happens to be a great match for patterned paper. Smaller chiyogami sheets, around 2×2 in or 3×3 in, really shine here and give each butterfly its own personality.
All you need is a square sheet of paper and a few quiet minutes to end up with a delicate butterfly that’s easy to display, gift, or keep nearby.
Traditional Origami Butterfly Step-by-Step Instructions
- Difficulty: Easy – Beginner level 3
- Folding time: 5-10 minutes
Recommended Paper
15×15 cm (6×6 in) Kami. This model also does well with smaller paper and chiyogami.
This tutorial was updated in February 2026 with clearer steps and improved visuals.
Step 1
Start with the white side of the paper facing up. Fold the paper in half horizontally and unfold. Then fold it in half vertically and unfold.
Step 2
Turn the paper over.
Step 3
Fold and unfold both diagonals.
Step 4
Fold and unfold all four corners to the center point.
🦋 Folding tip: Instead of aiming directly for the center point, focus on where your folds intersect the horizontal and vertical crease lines. You’re creating diagonal folds within each of the four square areas.
Step 5
Turn the paper over again.
Step 6
Fold and unfold each side to the centerline.
🦋 Folding tip: Use the creases you’ve already made as guides. Everything should line up cleanly.
Step 7
Collapse the model along the existing creases. Start by folding the left and right edges to the vertical centerline. Then, fold the top edge downward.
Step 8
Push the bottom edge of the bottom layer upward, folding along the existing crease. The bottom corners will shift outward as you do this.
Step 9
Fold the bottom left and right flaps downward along the existing creases.
Step 10
Mountain fold the top section backward, behind the model.
Step 11
Fold the top left flap inward along the dashed line. The crease should go from the top corner to the middle of the bottom edge. Repeat on the right side. This will to narrow the body of your butterfly.
🦋 Folding tip: To help with symmetry, pinch the bottom edges in half to mark small reference points. This makes it easier to line up both sides evenly.
Step 12
Fold the entire model in half from left to right.
Step 13
Fold the top flap to the left along the dashed line. There’s no exact reference here, so adjust based on the look you want.
Step 14
Turn the model over.
Step 15
Fold the top flap to the right. Then gently spread the wings and slightly fold the butterfly in half to give it a more natural, lifted shape.
Your Paper Butterfly Is Ready to Fly! 🦋
I hope you enjoyed folding this origami butterfly and taking a small pause with paper. It’s one of those models that looks simple but always feels rewarding to finish.
If you give it a try, feel free to share a photo in the comments. We always enjoy seeing different papers and small variations, especially when patterned paper is involved.
If you’d like to keep folding, you might enjoy browsing our easy origami models or exploring our origami animals collection. They’re both great places to find your next project.
And if you want to stay in the loop, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for step-by-step video tutorials, and join our newsletter to get new models, tips, and ideas straight to your inbox.
Other Origami Butterflies:
Download the Full Origami Butterfly Printable PDF
Instructions
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Watch the Origami Butterfly Video Tutorial
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I think I miraculously ended up with a correct butterfly, although I didn’t understand Steps #28-#30 because I don’t understand the terminology of Valley Fold and Mountain Fold.
If you click on the link at the top names “Paper Guide” the first entry explains what mountain and valley folds are
I finally did it ????????
How can i upload a photo of it?
Super its really easy I like it
Super
Hi everyone, I’m 11 and this was tricky for me too but I would definitely recommend an adult to help you.
Overall its easy , but there are certain step that get me to think how. My butterfly is perfect.
It’s easy…. But little difficult too
This is really hard I think I will give this a 3 star rating because I’m 11 and this is difficult.
Mine didn’t turn out right, the tail was in one piece.
I got 19 just I don’t know how to do 20
I don’t get number 19 and when I did it it just turned into a square
its easy but also hard
Steps 19-20 make absolutely no sense to me at all. Can someone please explain in plain English??
I loved it, I just had to search separately how to do a boat base but that did help.
What’s step 19?
Fold just along the dotted lines and the rest of the paper should start to take on the shape from step 20 based on the previous creases you made.
Yes! Thank you. I couldn’t understand why my butterfly kept ending with a one-piece tail.
Hi! I had the same problem, but when looking through the other comments found Frank’s, which said “I think step 21 is wrong. You should turn it 90 degrees to have the two separate triangles pointing down that will form the tails at the end.” I tried it and it worked for me, maybe it’ll work for you too.
This site is really very helpful for beginners. I have learned to make origami butterflies from here and also tried many things for surprising my kids. They have also become a fan of your tutorials. Thanks a lot for sharing such unique step by step tutorials with us.
We were having trouble from step 19 because we couldn’t figure out how to decipher step 20. Still struggling.
Step 19 is not working please show how to do it as it won,t come out that way like in step 20
The tops turn into 3D triangle sort of things
I think step 21 is wrong. You should turn it 90 degrees to have the two separate triangles pointing down that will form the tails at the end.
I haven’t finished step ten. I think I having trouble with folding. Please send help. But I completed a Wasa origami bowl. But can’t figure the step ten in the butterfly. It looks easy, but I haven’t figured it out. It looks easy, we with the mountain and valley folds.
Step 10 is simply unfolding the paper from the previous step. Was it a different step that was giving you difficulty?