How To Fold A Paper Box: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Fold a Paper Box PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Coco Sato

Last Updated: September 23, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Making Structural Folds
    • |
  • Creating the Walls of the Box
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Expert Interview
    • |
  • Expert Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
|Show more |Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was co-authored by Coco Sato. Coco Sato is an Origamist and Contemporary Artist based in Brighton, UK. She is an award-winning contemporary artist specializing in origami and geometric sculptures. With a multidisciplinary practice encompassing sculpture, performance, psychology, and geometry, she explores shifting perspectives through the intricate art of origami. Coco’s work bridges cultures by combining traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary concepts, inviting audiences to reconsider their relationship with the world. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,781,803 times.

A folded paper origami box, also called a masu box, is beautiful in its functional simplicity. All you need is a piece of square paper. The finished box makes a great hiding place for small treasures. With a pair of boxes, you can use one as the box and the other as a lid to wrap small gifts. Read on to learn how to make a folded paper box. Become an absolute expert. Take our wikiHow Origami Bootcamp!

Things You Should Know

  • Begin with a perfectly square sheet of paper. Use origami paper or cut any sheet you have into a square.
  • Make a series of folds to create structural creases in your paper. The creases will guide you while you create the box shape.
  • Fold and tuck the flaps of paper along the creases to create the base and walls of the box.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 2:

Making Structural Folds

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  1. Step 1 Begin with a piece of square paper. 1 Begin with a piece of square paper. You can use origami paper or fold any piece of paper diagonally from the corner to the opposite edge and trim off the excess. It is important that the paper is square since you are creating a box.[1] A trick is to fold your paper like a sail on a boat and cut the excess.[2]
    • As you make each fold, run your fingernail or a creasing tool, such as a bone folder, along the crease. This will make each fold sharp and crisp, giving the box a clean, professional look.[3]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Fold a Paper Box 2 Fold the paper in half horizontally (bottom edge to top edge), then unfold it.This will create a horizontal crease line across the center.[4] [5] Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Fold a Paper Box 3 Rotate the paper 90 degrees and fold it in half horizontally again, then unfold. Use your finger to crease the fold, then open the paper again.[6] You should now have two intersecting crease lines that form a cross in the center of the paper.[7] [8]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Fold a Paper Box 4 Fold the corners to the center. Bring each corner to the center, so that the points are all touching. Crease the folds with your finger.[9] Rotate the paper so it sits squarely in front of you, but don't unfold it this time.[10]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Fold a Paper Box 5 Fold the top and bottom edges to the center of the square. Crease the edges of both folds to secure them.[11]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Fold a Paper Box 6 Unfold the square along one side. Unfold the halfway folds and the triangles beneath those folds. Leave the side triangles folded in.[12]
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Fold a Paper Box 7 Fold the long edges to the center. Fold over the bottom of the still folded triangles. Crease the bottom edge. You should have what looks like a necktie with two points.[13]
    8. Advertisement
Part 2 Part 2 of 2:

Creating the Walls of the Box

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Fold a Paper Box 1 Reinforce the creases. For the purposes of the guide, the diamond furthest away from you formed by the "necktie" folds will be the "head" and the diamond closest to you will be the "foot." Match the bottom tip of the foot diamond to the bottom of the head diamond. Then, match the top tip of the head diamond to the top of the foot diamond. Crease along the long sides to solidify the folds.[14]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Fold a Paper Box 2 Create the side walls of the box. Pull up the flaps along the long side to create the side walls of the box.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Fold a Paper Box 3 Construct the head wall when the side walls are assembled. As you lift the head wall flap, the creases from previous folds should form two triangle shaped flaps that you will want to fold inwards. Be sure these triangles are folded inwards before proceeding. The head wall will fold over these triangle corners and the top triangle of the head wall will fit neatly into the bottom of the box where you will want to crease it snugly against the sides to keep the box together. After creasing, you should see a triangle on the bottom of the box.[15]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Fold a Paper Box 4 Repeat the process for the opposite end or the foot wall. Try to make sure the folds are clean and not crinkly.[16]
  5. Step 5 Finished. 5 Finished.
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Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question What's the best type of paper when making a paper box? Coco Sato Coco Sato Origamist and Contemporary Artist Coco Sato is an Origamist and Contemporary Artist based in Brighton, UK. She is an award-winning contemporary artist specializing in origami and geometric sculptures. With a multidisciplinary practice encompassing sculpture, performance, psychology, and geometry, she explores shifting perspectives through the intricate art of origami. Coco’s work bridges cultures by combining traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary concepts, inviting audiences to reconsider their relationship with the world. Coco Sato Coco Sato Origamist and Contemporary Artist Expert Answer I'd say the type of paper will depend on where you plan to use the box for. If it's a simple storage box for holding lightweight items like paper clips, small notes, or trinkets, you can use regular printer or copy paper. It’s accessible, easy to fold, and holds its shape well. However, if you’re making a box for food—say, for snacks or serving treats—parchment paper is a fantastic choice. It’s grease-resistant, won’t leak, and can handle a bit of moisture without falling apart. But regardless of the type of paper you use, the secret to a sturdy paper box is in your folds. Precise, sharp folds create clean edges and give the box structure. Take your time to align the edges perfectly as you fold and press down firmly to secure each crease. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 16
  • Question How do you make the top? Community Answer Community Answer Simply follow the same steps as above, but make the box roughly 1" bigger in every direction. This top will fit right over the bottom you made earlier. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 368 Helpful 534
  • Question How can I make a bigger box? Community Answer Community Answer Use a bigger, square-shaped sheet of paper. If the sheet is a rectangle, fold it diagonally from the top corner to the opposite edge, trim off the excess along the bottom, then follow the article. A sheet of poster paper may work, but keep in mind that the larger the paper is, the more difficult it will be to work with. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 269 Helpful 402
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

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Reader Videos

Tips

  • You might want to dab some glue on the bottom of the triangular flaps in order to make them stay down, or you can use tape. Thanks Helpful 98 Not Helpful 36
  • Use diagonal folds when you start, along with the straight folds. It will help a lot at the end. Thanks Helpful 72 Not Helpful 36
  • Make a lid by using slightly larger paper to create a second box in the same way. Thanks Helpful 27 Not Helpful 13
Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • Be aware of your paper size. The larger and thinner the paper, the weaker the box. Certain boxes might not be able to hold heavy things without a lid.
  • You may find it helpful to draw some guidelines on the paper to help you get the creases more precise.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Don't put anything too heavy in the box, or it will collapse. Remember, it is paper. Thanks Helpful 281 Not Helpful 109
  • Watch out for paper cuts. Thanks Helpful 260 Not Helpful 143
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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about origami, check out our in-depth interview with Coco Sato.

References

  1. ↑ Robert Homayoon. Origami Expert. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.origami-fun.com/origami-rectangle-box.html
  3. ↑ Coco Sato. Origamist and Contemporary Artist. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ Coco Sato. Origamist and Contemporary Artist. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ https://www.origami-fun.com/origami-rectangle-box.html
  6. ↑ Robert Homayoon. Origami Expert. Expert Interview
  7. ↑ Coco Sato. Origamist and Contemporary Artist. Expert Interview
  8. ↑ https://www.origamiway.com/origami-box.shtml
  9. ↑ Robert Homayoon. Origami Expert. Expert Interview
More References (7)
  1. ↑ https://www.origamiway.com/origami-box.shtml
  2. ↑ Robert Homayoon. Origami Expert. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ https://origamijapan.net/box-type-3/
  4. ↑ https://origamijapan.net/box-type-3/
  5. ↑ https://www.origamiway.com/origami-box-2.shtml
  6. ↑ https://www.origamiway.com/origami-box-2.shtml
  7. ↑ https://alltogether.swe.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Oragami-box-Online-PDF-DRAFT.pdf

About This Article

Coco Sato Co-authored by: Coco Sato Origamist and Contemporary Artist This article was co-authored by Coco Sato. Coco Sato is an Origamist and Contemporary Artist based in Brighton, UK. She is an award-winning contemporary artist specializing in origami and geometric sculptures. With a multidisciplinary practice encompassing sculpture, performance, psychology, and geometry, she explores shifting perspectives through the intricate art of origami. Coco’s work bridges cultures by combining traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary concepts, inviting audiences to reconsider their relationship with the world. This article has been viewed 2,781,803 times. 19 votes - 74% Co-authors: 155 Updated: September 23, 2025 Views: 2,781,803 Categories: Featured Articles | Origami Article SummaryX

"To fold a paper box, start by folding a square pieces of paper in half both horizontally and vertically to create two creases. Then, fold each corner to the center so that the points are touching. When all points are in the center, fold the top and bottom edges to the center and crease them. Next, fold the edges and the triangles beneath them so they’re out to the sides. Bring the top and bottom edges to the center, then make them stand up vertically. Finally, construct the other two walls by folding the triangles inwards. " Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Susan Hochgraef

    Susan Hochgraef

    Dec 9, 2020

    "I used to make these as a kid for a trinket or gift boxes and wanted to show my Dad who has Alzheimer's how I..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Coco Sato Co-authored by: Coco Sato Origamist and Contemporary Artist 19 votes - 74% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 155 Updated: September 23, 2025 Views: 2,781,803 Susan Hochgraef

Susan Hochgraef

Dec 9, 2020

"I used to make these as a kid for a trinket or gift boxes and wanted to show my Dad who has Alzheimer's how I..." more Linda Abrahamson

Linda Abrahamson

Nov 17, 2016

"I always need to review how to fold a box. Your tutorial is perfect. You show each step, and I can play each step..." more . .

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Jul 19, 2020

"I enjoy making jewelry, and have a variety of small things that I have trouble keeping track of. This tutorial has..." more Rated this article: Siddhartha Karmakar

Siddhartha Karmakar

Sep 17, 2016

"Nice article. Every step is very clear. This is the best way I have seen on the internet to teach origami. Very..." more Abi Gustin

Abi Gustin

Dec 22, 2016

"Super easy to understand. When you are trying to read how to do origami, it can be a little confusing, but this..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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