Learn origami, one fold at a time
Every model is made of a few simple folds.
A crane, a box, a thirty-piece star: all of them are built from the same small set of folds. Learn each one here and you can read any origami diagram in the world.
Start with the valley foldHow it works
- 01
Read the symbol
Every fold has its own line and arrow in origami diagrams. Learn what each one means.
- 02
Watch it move
See the paper fold in 3D, step by step. Pause or drag the slider to go at your own pace.
- 03
Fold it yourself
Drag the paper on screen to make the fold, then try it with real paper.
Fold with others
Take part in the monthly challenge, and share photos of what you fold in the community gallery.
All 18 folds
From the first valley fold to Miura-ori. Folds marked 3D can be watched and folded on screen; the rest are being animated next.
Basics
Valley fold Every model. In the Pyramid Box, the diagonal creases are valley folds. 3D Mountain fold Pleats, crimps, and tessellations such as Miura-ori. 3D Crease and unfold Pyramid Box: the diagonal and cross creases before the collapse. 3D Turn over Almost every model. 3D Rotate Most diagrams. 3D Pleat Fans, tessellations, Miura-ori. 3D Intermediate
Inside reverse fold Crane neck and tail. Outside reverse fold Bird heads and beaks. Squash fold Frog base, many flowers. Petal fold Crane, lily, bird base. Rabbit ear Fish base. Crimp Legs, necks, bent tails. Advanced
Swivel fold Animal legs, narrowing points. Open sink Insects, complex bases. Closed sink Advanced insects and complex models. Collapse Pyramid Box (collapsing the base), tessellations. Tessellation
Miura-ori Maps, space solar panels, tessellation art. 3D Twist fold Origami tessellations.