How to Fold a Crane: Step-by-Step Origami Guide

What You’ll Need

One square sheet of origami paper (15×15 cm or 6×6 inches works well). If you only have rectangular paper, cut it into a square first.
A flat, hard surface to fold on (a table or desk is ideal).
Optional: a bone folder or the back of a spoon to make sharp creases (your fingernail works too).

Step-by-Step

Start with the colored side up. Place the square paper on your surface so the colored or patterned side faces up. If your paper is white on both sides, that’s fine—just pick one side to be the outside.
Fold in half diagonally both ways. Fold the paper in half from corner to corner to form a triangle, then unfold. Repeat with the other two corners. You’ll have an X-shaped crease.
Fold in half both ways. Fold the paper in half horizontally (top edge to bottom edge), then unfold. Repeat vertically (left edge to right edge). Now you have a grid of creases: an X and a plus sign.
Collapse into a square base. Bring the left and right corners together while pushing the top corner down. The paper should collapse along the creases into a smaller square, with the open end pointing down. This is called a square base or preliminary fold.
Fold the top flaps to the center. With the open end of the square facing down, fold the top layer’s left and right edges into the center crease. Then fold the top triangle down over these flaps. Unfold all three folds—you’ll see a crease pattern that looks like a kite.
Lift the top layer and flatten. Open the top flap upward, using the creases you just made. Press the sides in and flatten the paper into a long, narrow diamond shape. This is a petal fold. Flip the paper over and repeat steps 5 and 6 on the other side.
Fold the narrow flaps to the center. Now you have a diamond shape with two “legs” at the bottom. Fold the top layer’s left and right edges into the center crease, like a paper airplane. Flip over and repeat on the other side. This creates the neck and tail.
Fold the legs up. Take one of the bottom points (the legs) and fold it up to the top point, making a crease. This will become the neck. Flip over and do the same with the other leg—this becomes the tail.
Inside reverse fold the neck and tail. To make the neck and tail point outward, open the folds slightly and push the tip inward, reversing the crease. Pull the neck and tail out to the sides, then flatten. The neck should point forward, the tail backward.
Shape the head. On the neck, fold the tip down to create the head. Use an inside reverse fold: open the neck, push the tip down, and flatten. The head should point forward and slightly down.
Fold the wings down. Fold the top layer of the wings down on both sides, so they point outward horizontally. The crease should be about a third of the way down from the top of the body.
Finish and adjust. Pull the wings gently apart to round the body. If you want the crane to flap, hold the chest and pull the tail—the wings will move up and down.

Common Mistakes

Skipping creases: Not making sharp, full-length creases in the early steps makes later folds hard to align. Always crease firmly with a fingernail or bone folder.
Misaligning edges: If the edges don’t meet exactly when folding to the center, the final crane will be lopsided. Take time to match corners perfectly.
Forgetting to reverse folds: The neck and tail require an inside reverse fold—if you just fold them up, they’ll stick straight out and won’t look like a crane.
Folding the head too early: If you fold the head before the wings are set, the paper may tear or the head may be too thick to shape. Follow the order: neck, tail, head, then wings.
Using thick paper: Cardstock or double-sided thick paper makes the final folds hard and the crane bulky. Use standard origami paper (thin, crisp) for best results.

Tips

Work on a hard surface, not a soft bed or carpet, to get clean creases.
Watch the orientation of the open end of the square base—it should always point down during the petal fold.
If a fold feels too thick, use a bone folder or the back of a spoon to press it flat.
Practice with scrap paper first; even printer paper cut into a square works for learning.
When pulling the wings apart at the end, do it gently to avoid tearing the thin paper.
To make the crane flap, hold the chest with one hand and pull the tail with the other—the wings will move.

Troubleshooting

The paper won’t collapse into a square base: Make sure all creases are sharp and complete. If the paper resists, re-fold the diagonal and horizontal creases firmly, then try again.
The petal fold won’t flatten: You may have skipped the step of folding the top triangle down before unfolding. Re-check the crease pattern—the triangle fold creates the hinge that allows the petal to open.
The neck and tail point straight up instead of out: You likely didn’t do an inside reverse fold. Open the leg, push the tip inward, and flatten so the leg points sideways, not up.
The head is too small or too big: The head fold should be about one-third to one-half the length of the neck. Adjust the fold position before flattening.
The crane is lopsided: This usually happens from misaligned edges in step 5 or 7. Unfold and redo those steps, ensuring edges meet exactly at the center.
The paper tears: Use thinner paper and avoid over-folding the same line. If a tear is small, you can still finish—just be gentle with the final adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size paper should I use?

Standard origami paper is 15×15 cm (about 6×6 inches). Any square will work, but smaller paper is harder to fold; larger paper is easier for beginners.

Can I use regular printer paper?

Yes, cut a sheet of printer paper into a square. It’s slightly thicker than origami paper, so make sharp creases and be careful with the final folds.

Why does my crane not flap?

The flapping action comes from the wing fold and the body shape. Make sure the wings are folded down at the correct angle (about 30 degrees from horizontal) and that the body is rounded by pulling the wings apart gently. Then pull the tail while holding the chest.

What is the meaning of the origami crane?

In Japanese culture, the crane is a symbol of peace, hope, and longevity. Folding 1,000 cranes is said to grant a wish, a tradition known as senbazuru.

How long does it take to learn?

Most people can learn the basic folds in one sitting, but it may take a few tries to get the reverse folds smooth. With practice, you can fold a crane in under two minutes.

Can I make a crane from a dollar bill?

Yes, but a dollar bill is rectangular, so you’ll need to fold it into a square first by tucking the excess paper. The thicker paper makes it trickier, but it’s a fun challenge.

Sources: Origami USA. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.