How to Fold an 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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simple and beautiful
nice
so easy and helpful now i can teach my class for the day of the dead
This video was very helpful
ezzzzzz
It turned lovely, will try with a less thick paper next time. Very easy to follow tutorial, thanks!
Hi Ahlem, your butterfly looks wonderful! We really appreciate you sharing it with us!
how does it look ?
Awesome job so far, Damien! You’re really close. Just a few more folds and you’ll have it all done. Keep it up!
thanks
could be easier but in the end really really really cute
I made a garland with these and origami flowers and it is really pretty! This tutorial is really useful and easy for beginners.
Thank you for sharing with us
Beautiful folds! Thank you for sharing your creation with us, Geeshani.
Absolutely lovely tutorial! Just decided to get into origami, and this was the first tutorial I landed on. Perfectly paced, explained, and provided additional detail where I would need it. Genuinely- Thank you. 🙂
Thank you for your kind comment Pascal! I hope you’ll enjoy the rest of the site and everything that’s to come 🙂
I believe that steps 19-20 require either more pictures, or maybe a video. Thank you.
I updated the step 19 with a gif and a video.
Hey everyone! I just wanted to let you know that we’ve added some images, gifs, and videos to make this traditional origami butterfly a lot easier for you. Steps 19 and 20 are now step 12. Enjoy 🦋
I am going 2 make these for a party what type of paper do u suggest
Hi Tia, The Kami 15×15 is great in terms of budget and colors. You can go smaller for cuter butterflies, but it’s going to be more difficult to fold them. You can find our paper guide here.
Sorry for the frustrated message, the step 19 to 20 makes absolutely no sense to me either. I think we see here the limits of following instruction in 2D. I don’t think origami is for me, at least with instruction in 2D.
How do you post a photo?
Hi Kathryn, There is a small icon just above the “Post Comment” button. I’d love to see more pictures in the comments 🙂
I did the crane, jumping frog, box and butterfly. I think I did pretty good for my first try! Thanks for the easy diagrams, they are so easy to follow!
What is step #20 a picture of? Can someone take a picture and show a picture of what that step looks like? I’m struggling to understand it. Please help me.
and 20
i got stuck with 21 and 22