How to Cut a Pentagon From a Square Paper

A regular pentagon is the starting point for some of the prettiest origami flowers, including the five-petal lily. Origami paper comes as a square, though, so before you can fold one, you have to make the pentagon yourself.

This is a quick, beginner-friendly way to do it. A few folds set up the reference points, and a single straight cut turns the square into a clean, regular pentagon.

It takes about five minutes. Once the sequence clicks, you can prep a pentagon whenever a model calls for one.

Square to Pentagon Step-by-Step Instructions

• Difficulty: Easy – Beginner level 2
• Folding time: About 5 minutes

Step 1

Start with the white side of the paper facing up. Fold the paper in half from bottom to top.

Step 2

Fold the top layer in half from top to bottom. Make a small pinch mark at the right edge only, then unfold.

Step 3

Fold the right edge of the top layer onto the bottom edge. Make a pinch mark where the new fold line crosses the pinch mark from Step 2, then unfold.

Step 4

Fold the bottom left corner to the reference point created by the two pinch marks.

Step 5

Fold the top flap in half so the right edge meets the left edge.

Step 6

Fold the bottom edge to the left until it meets the nearest edge.

Step 7

Turn the paper over.

Step 8

Fold the paper in half again so the right edge meets the left edge.

Step 9

Cut along the edge closest to you.

Step 10

Unfold the paper completely.

Nice work, your pentagon paper is finished!

With your pentagon ready, you can move straight on to folding. It is the perfect base for the 5-petal lily and other five-petal flowers.

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