How to Make an Origami Crane
Traditional/Unknow 
If there’s one model that feels inseparable from origami, it’s the crane. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to fold a traditional origami crane, the same way it has been folded in Japan for generations.
The crane is built from the bird base, one of the most important bases in origami. Once you learn it, you’ll start seeing it everywhere, in birds, animals, and many classic designs.
In Japan, many children learn how to fold a crane in kindergarten or early elementary school. It’s not a difficult model, but it does require a bit of care and patience. If you take your time and follow the steps calmly, it’s a very approachable fold, even if you’re still fairly new to origami.
Here, we’ll go through the steps calmly and clearly, so you can focus on the process and end up with a balanced, elegant crane.
Traditional Origami Crane Step-by-Step Instructions
- Difficulty: Easy – Beginner level 3
- Folding time: 5-10 minutes
Recommended Paper
15×15 cm (6×6 in) Kami or Chiyogami (patterned paper).
This tutorial was updated in February 2026 with clearer steps and improved visuals.
Step 1
Start with the colored side of the paper facing up in a diamond position. Fold and unfold along both diagonals (horizontal and vertical).
🕊️ Folding tip: The first creases are often the most important. Take your time and align everything carefully.
Step 2
Turn the paper over.
Step 3
Fold and unfold the paper side to side, in both directions.
Step 4
Collapse along the existing creases to form a Square base by bringing the left and right corners down to meet the bottom corner.
Step 5
Fold the top layer’s left and right edges to meet the vertical centerline.
Step 6
Fold the top corner down, aligning it with the top edges of the flaps you just made in Step 5.
Step 7
Unfold Step 5.
Step 8
Lift the top layer and bring the bottom corner up to form a Petal fold. The outer edges will meet the vertical centerline.
Step 9
Turn the model over.
Step 10
Fold and unfold the left and right edges to meet the vertical centerline.
Step 11
Just like in Step 8, lift the top layer and bring the bottom corner up to form another Petal fold.
You now have a completed Bird base 🐦
Step 12
Fold the left and right edges to the vertical centerline.
🕊️ Folding tip: Don’t fold right up to the centerline and leave a small gap. This will make the upcoming steps easier. Do the same in Step 14.
Step 13
Turn the model over.
Step 14
Again, fold the left and right edges to the vertical centerline, leaving a small gap.
Step 15
Fold the top right flap over to the left.
Step 16
Turn the model over.
Step 17
Fold the top right flap over to the left, just like in Step 15.
Step 18
Fold the bottom corner of the top flap upward along the existing horizontal crease.
Step 19
Turn the model over.
Step 20
Repeat the same fold as in Step 18.
Step 21
Fold the top right flap over to the left.
🕊️ Folding tip: This is where those small gaps you left earlier come in handy. Things fold more smoothly now with all the layers involved.
Step 22
Turn the model over.
Step 23
Fold the top right flap over to the left again.
Step 24
Grab the crane’s tail (it’s between the wings) and Swivel fold it to the left. Align it with the outer edge and flatten the paper.
Step 25
Do the same on the right side.
Step 26
Mountain fold the crane’s head to the right. There’s no exact reference point here, so adjust the position to your liking. Crease well, then unfold.
🕊️ Note: In the video, I used a valley fold. It won’t affect the next step. But if you’re folding in the air, a mountain fold is usually easier to manage.
Step 27
Push down the crane’s head, and inside reverse fold the head along the creases you just made.
Step 28
Gently open the wings.
🕊️ Folding tip: You can round out the back of the crane by pulling the wings gently in opposite directions. Totally optional, but super satisfying 😊
Your Paper Crane Is Ready to Be Displayed!
The Thousand Paper Cranes
In Japan, the crane is traditionally said to live for a thousand years. From this belief comes the idea that folding one thousand paper cranes can bring good fortune, healing, or the fulfillment of a wish. Over time, this story became one of the most well-known traditions connected to the origami crane.
The crane’s worldwide recognition is closely tied to Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, a children’s book written by Eleanor Coerr. It tells the story of Sadako Sasaki, a young Japanese girl who was exposed to radiation as a toddler during the Hiroshima bombing and later developed leukemia.
While in the hospital, Sadako folded paper cranes, inspired by the hope that reaching one thousand would help her recover. According to her family, she folded well over a thousand cranes. After her death, her classmates continued folding cranes in her memory.
Today, paper cranes are widely used as symbols of peace and hope. They are often sent to memorials, museums, and remembrance sites around the world, where they stand not just for a single story, but for resilience, care, and the quiet power of a simple fold.
I hope you enjoyed folding this paper crane and taking the time to slow down with such a classic model. It’s one of those folds that becomes more satisfying each time you come back to it.
If you make one, feel free to share a photo in the comments. Different papers, sizes, and small variations always give the crane a slightly different feel, and it’s always nice to see how others approach it.
If you’d like to keep folding, you can explore our easy origami collection for simple, relaxing projects, or browse our origami bird category to see how the bird base evolves into many other designs.
And if you’d like to stay connected, don’t forget to subscribe to our origami YouTube channel for step-by-step tutorials, and join our newsletter to receive new models, tips, and inspiration straight to your inbox.
Other Origami Cranes:
Download the Full Origami Crane Printable PDF
Instructions
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Watch the Origami Crane Video Tutorial
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step 14-16 cant be done I need help
This is impossible. Step 16 can only be done by defying the laws of physics
I am stuck still on the first step ????????????????????????????. Can someone please help me?
You just need to fold it into a triangular shape. Make sure that you don’t have any parts that are off.
i am confused trough 25-29 can some one help me?
that is a good origin crane ^..^
I’m really proud to make my first ORIZURU. I just need to do more practice and ensure i hit the 1,000 target to get the wish and happiness in my life… hehe
hello can someone help me i am little……… please!!!!!
^><^
How do you do steps14-16?
no idea
hi this wasn’t very easy but i got a good result
how did you do step 14?
easy peasy
This is a nice example how to make origami. Thank you Mr Peacock!
there are a ridiculous amount of unnecessary steps in this
The instructions are designed for beginners. I’ve had a bunch of people tell me they had trouble with instructions that just said things like “repeat these steps on the other side” which is why I drew out every step here. Once you’re familiar with the folding sequence you can definitely skip over some of these steps, especially with some of the Inside Reverse Folds.
I got about halfway through and got confused. Any suggestions?
Which step are you stuck on?
How do you do step 4
You open that flap of paper and push the whole thing flat into the diamond shape you see in the next step.
I definitely would not recommend this version. I was a kid and made over a hundred cranes to put on a string- I think I got close to 300 in just a weekend. This version is extremely difficult and full of unnecessary foldds so that if you are working with 3×3 paper (I am working with 4×4) and the folds were still ridiculous and created creases that you can’t do anything with.
Try a different website. There are way too many steps and I think that other versions look way better than this.
When you get better you can definitely skip some of the folds like the ones that make reverse folds a bit easier but these are really detailed instructions for beginners. If it’s a traditional origami crane everyone will follow the same steps. You might be confusing this model with the traditional flapping bird. That has less steps and a thicker neck and tail.
Yeah, I agree. Way too confusing an extra unnecessary steps.
Once done with 13, you raise the top flap of the paper and pull it to the top of the model, whilst you’re doing that, both sides fold inwards along the folds in #13
Wow, it’s so easy to fold paper with your instructions! Thanks for your work!
Just i can say “such a wow”
Tank you so much.
Your drawings are exquisite. Would you be willing to allow them to be reprinted in a memoir?
Hi, what do you mean?
I’m writing a family memoir about my adult son, who has a serious brain injury. We folded a thousand paper cranes for him. One of the things I’m writing about is that experience. I’d like to include in the book (which, yes, I would like to eventually publish) instructions for how to fold a paper crane. Your directions are beautiful, elegant and exactly what I’m looking for. You can reach me directly at my email address if you’re willing to talk about letting me use the drawings.
Thanks.
It’s my first craft ever…Can’t express the joy I’m feeling right now.
Instructions were very clear.
Thank you.
Yo, Hullo You bunch are awesome people. I wanna make an origami kingdom. Will you immigrate their?
i will gladly move if u have origami mashed potatoes
Hahah me too!
I will come!!
Ummmm……. I did not understand anything past step 14…
My brother can make paper cranes that is smaller than his fingernail, and I can’t make anything… Lol
Wow, that’s tiny.
Who cooollll
Thanks for the explanation
thanks for the instructions
What size paper do I need to start with to end up with a crane that fits into a 2″x2″ box?
Roughly speaking I’d say you need around 3″ x 3″ of paper to get the crane to fit in that box.
This is going to depend a bit on how you fold it, what angles the neck and tail are at, if the wings are folded up or down, etc.
Try with a 3″ x 3″ square of paper and see if that works and then adjust up or down if you need.
That’s going to be a pretty tiny crane though so good luck!
paper cranes are easy
hard actually
No it’s not gurl I’ve made like more than 3 cranes in a day.this is what I call…Pro skills!!!
I have made almost 500 cranes this summer. My goal is to reach 1000 before the end of the year. Once you get going they are really easy!
These are the best directions ever!
This is a great introductory origami guide, great job!
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