How to Fold a Traditional Origami Crane
The traditional paper origami crane is probably the most famous of all origami models. It’s designed after the Japanese red-crowned crane. In Japanese mythology, this crane is known as the “Honourable Lord Crane,” and its wings carry souls up to heaven.
The Japanese name for this model is “Orizuru” which simply means “Folded crane.” “Ori” is the same “Ori” that you find in the word origami.
An ancient Japanese legend promises that if anyone folds a thousand paper cranes, they will be granted a wish by the gods. In some cases, you are granted happiness or good luck.
If you’ve never tried origami before, we recommend you check out our beginner’s guide first. Once you know the basic folds, then this will be much easier.
Traditional Paper Crane Step-by-Step Instructions
- Difficulty: Intermediary
- Folding time: 10-15 minutes
- Model designer: Traditional
- Paper: We used Roketsu paper in the tutorial below. However, we recommend a thinner paper if it’s your first trial. The classic Kami 15×15 will do well. Chiyogami is also a great choice if you want a fancier-looking crane like the one in the featured image.
Step 1
Start with the white side of the paper facing up and fold in half diagonally.
Step 2
Fold in half again along the dotted line.
Step 3
Fold that flap back and squash fold this flap down.
Step 4
Turn the model over. We’re going to repeat the last few steps on the other side.
Step 5
Fold the flap over to the left along the dotted line and squash fold this flap down.
Step 6
You now have a completed square or preliminary base. With a few more folds, we’ll turn it into a bird base.
Fold the side flap to the center along the dotted line.
Crease this fold well and then unfold it.
Step 7
Fold the flap on the other side to the center along the dotted line.
Crease this well and unfold.
Step 8
Fold the top down along the dotted line.
Crease this well and unfold.
Step 9
Lift the top flap of paper up along the crease you just made. We’re going to make a petal fold.
Continue lifting up and push in the sides along the creases you made in the previous couple of steps.
Flatten everything along the creases you already made.
Step 10
The completed petal fold.
Turn the model over. We’re going to make a petal fold on the other side, too.
Step 11
Fold the side to the center along the dotted line.
Crease this well and then unfold.
Step 12
Fold the other side to the center along the dotted line.
Crease this well and unfold.
Step 13
Fold the top down along the dotted line.
Crease this well and unfold.
Step 14
Lift the top flap of paper up along the crease you just made. We’re going to make another petal fold.
Continue lifting up and push in the sides along the creases you made in the previous couple of steps.
Flatten everything along the creases you already made.
Step 15
The completed petal fold. At this point, you also have a completed a bird base.
Next, we’re going to fold the neck and the tail. Fold the top flap on the right to the center along the dotted line.
Step 16
Fold the top flap on the left to the center along the dotted line as well.
Step 17
Turn the model over. We’re going to repeat the last two steps on the other side.
Step 18
Fold the top flap on the left to the center along the dotted line.
Step 19
Fold the top flap on the right to the center along the dotted line as well.
Step 20
Fold the long, thin section of paper on the right up along the dotted line.
Crease this well and unfold.
Step 21
Fold the long, thin section of paper on the left up just like you did on the other side.
Crease this well and unfold.
Step 22
Turn the model over. We’re going to repeat the last couple of steps on the other side.
Step 23
Fold the long, thin section of paper on the right up along the dotted line. There’s already a crease here, but now you’re going to fold it the other way.
Crease this well and unfold.
Step 24
Fold the long, thin section of paper on the left up just like you did on the other side. There’s also a crease here already, and you’re also going to fold it the other way.
Crease this well and unfold.
Step 25
Now, we’re going to make an inside reverse fold along the creases you just made on the right side of the model.
Lift the paper up inside the model along the creases you already made and flatten everything.
👉 Folding tip: With some practice, you can skip steps 20 to 24 and directly make the inside reverse fold.
Step 26
Make another inside reverse fold along the creases you already made along the left side of the model.
Lift the paper up inside the model along the creases you already made and flatten everything.
Step 27
Now, we’re going to fold the head. Fold the long, thin section of paper on the left down along the dotted line.
Crease this well and unfold.
Step 28
Turn the model over so we can repeat this on the other side.
Step 29
Fold the long, thin section of paper on the left side now down along the dotted line. This is folded the opposite way along the crease you already folded on the other side.
Crease this well and unfold.
Step 30
Turn the model over again so it’s facing the way it was before.
Step 31
Fold the head by making an inside reverse fold along the creases you made in the previous couple of steps. The head is then folded inside the neck.
👉 Folding tip: With some practice, you can skip steps 27 to 30 and directly make the inside reverse fold.
Step 32
Fold down the wings on both sides along the dotted line.
👉 Shaping tip: You can make the back of the crane flatter by pulling on the wings and adjust it to your taste.
The completed origami crane, good job!
Other Origami Cranes:
The Thousand Paper Cranes
In Japan, cranes are said to live for 1,000 years, which is why one must fold 1,000 of them. To make your wish come true, you have to hold onto all the cranes. If you fold one and give it away, that one doesn’t count.
The origami crane’s popularity is largely due to a children’s book written by author Eleanor Coerr called “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.”
The story follows a Japanese girl named Sadako, who was two years old when the United States bombed Japan at the end of World War II. Due to the fallout from the bombs, Sadako developed leukemia.
In the hospital, she spent her time folding origami cranes, hoping to make 1,000 of them.
According to Sadako’s family, she managed to fold approximately 1,400 paper cranes. Many of these cranes have been donated to places such as the 9-11 Memorial in New York City, Pearl Harbour, the Museum of Tolerance, and more places as a symbol of peace.
How did you do? Tell us in the comments, and feel free to share a photo of your origami crane with us. We’d love to see it.
Download the Full Origami Crane Printable PDF Instructions
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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