How to Fold an Origami Frog (Easy Step-by-Step)

What You’ll Need

One square sheet of paper (origami paper, or cut any paper into a square; 15×15 cm / 6×6 in works well)
A flat, clean surface to work on
Optional: a pen or marker to draw eyes on the frog

Step-by-Step

Start with the colored side down. Place your square paper flat on the table with the colored or patterned side facing down. If using plain paper, either side is fine.
Fold in half vertically. Bring the left edge to the right edge, crease well, then unfold. You should have a vertical crease down the middle.
Fold in half horizontally. Bring the top edge to the bottom edge, crease, then unfold. Now you have a cross-shaped crease.
Fold diagonally both ways. Bring the top-left corner to the bottom-right corner, crease, unfold. Repeat with the top-right corner to bottom-left corner. You should now have an asterisk-like crease pattern.
Collapse into a triangle. Push the left and right sides inward along the horizontal crease, while pressing the top and bottom edges down. The paper should collapse into a smaller triangle (a square base folded in half). Flatten it so you have a triangle with the open end facing down.
Fold the bottom corners up. Take the two bottom corners of the triangle and fold them up to meet the top point. Crease well. This forms the frog’s front legs.
Fold the side corners inward. Now take the two outer corners of the folded-up flaps (the ones you just made) and fold them inward toward the center line. These will become the frog’s front feet.
Fold the bottom point up. Take the bottom point of the triangle (the one pointing down) and fold it up to meet the top edge of the front legs. Crease firmly.
Fold the same point down. Now fold that same point back down so that it meets the bottom edge of the triangle. This creates a zigzag fold that will become the frog’s back legs.
Flip the frog over. Turn the whole model over. You should see the frog’s body with two front legs and a folded back section.
Shape the back legs (optional). Fold the two back legs outward slightly to give the frog a more natural stance. Press the back down gently to flatten the body. Your frog is complete!

Common Mistakes

Using paper that’s too thick – Thick paper makes the folds hard to press and can tear at the creases.
Skipping the crease steps – If you don’t crease well (especially the diagonal folds), the collapse step won’t work cleanly.
Misaligning edges – When folding corners up or inward, if the edges don’t meet exactly, the frog will look lopsided and may not jump well.
Folding the wrong direction – The zigzag fold for the back legs must go up then down; if you fold both the same way, the frog won’t have a spring.

Tips

Use origami paper (thin, crisp) for best results. If using regular paper, cut it to a perfect square.
Crease every fold firmly with your fingernail or a bone folder. Sharp creases make the final frog sturdier.
To make the frog jump, press down on the back (the zigzag part) with your finger, then slide it off quickly. The spring action will launch the frog.
If you want a smaller frog, start with a smaller square—just keep it square.
Draw eyes on the front of the head (the top point) after folding to give your frog personality.

Troubleshooting

The frog won’t collapse into a triangle. Make sure all four creases (vertical, horizontal, both diagonals) are sharp. If the paper resists, re-crease each fold and try again.
The frog looks uneven. Unfold the steps and check that each fold aligns edge-to-edge. It’s often easier to start over with a fresh square than to fix misaligned folds.
The frog doesn’t jump. The back legs need a strong zigzag. Press the fold firmly and make sure the final fold is sharp. Also, try pressing down on the back with a quick sliding motion.
The paper tears. Use thinner paper and avoid over-folding in the same spot. If a tear happens, start with a new sheet.
The frog flops instead of standing. Reinforce the body by pressing the center folds flat. If the paper is too soft, try a stiffer sheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size paper should I use?

Any square works, but 15×15 cm (6×6 in) is standard and easy to handle. Smaller squares make tiny frogs; larger ones are easier for beginners.

Can I use regular printer paper?

Yes, but it’s a bit thicker than origami paper. Cut it into a perfect square and be extra careful with the creases. The frog may be less springy.

How do I make the frog jump higher?

Press down firmly on the back (the zigzag part) and slide your finger off quickly. The sharper the fold, the more spring it has. Also, lighter paper tends to jump farther.

Why does my frog keep unfolding?

Your creases might not be sharp enough. Go over each fold with your fingernail to set it. If the paper is too thick, it won’t hold its shape.

Can I make a frog without cutting the paper?

Yes, as long as you start with a square. If your paper is rectangular, fold one corner to the opposite edge, cut off the excess strip, and you’ll have a square.

How long does it take to fold?

Once you’ve practiced, it takes about 5 minutes. For a first-timer, allow 10–15 minutes to get the folds right.

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