How To Fold A Traditional Origami Crane

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If there’s one model that feels inseparable from origami, it’s the crane. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to fold a traditional origami crane, the same way it has been folded in Japan for generations.

The crane is built from the bird base, one of the most important bases in origami. Once you learn it, you’ll start seeing it everywhere, in birds, animals, and many classic designs.

In Japan, many children learn how to fold a crane in kindergarten or early elementary school. It’s not a difficult model, but it does require a bit of care and patience. If you take your time and follow the steps calmly, it’s a very approachable fold, even if you’re still fairly new to origami.

Here, we’ll go through the steps calmly and clearly, so you can focus on the process and end up with a balanced, elegant crane.

Traditional Origami Crane Step-by-Step Instructions

Difficulty: Easy – Beginner level 3
Folding time: 5-10 minutes

Recommended Paper

15×15 cm (6×6 in) Kami or Chiyogami (patterned paper).

Shop Paper

This tutorial was updated in February 2026 with clearer steps and improved visuals.

Printable Instructions Watch Video Ask Questions

Step 1

Start with the colored side of the paper facing up in a diamond position. Fold and unfold along both diagonals (horizontal and vertical).

🕊️ Folding tip: The first creases are often the most important. Take your time and align everything carefully.

Step 2

Turn the paper over.

Step 3

Fold and unfold the paper side to side, in both directions.

Step 4

Collapse along the existing creases to form a Square base by bringing the left and right corners down to meet the bottom corner.

Step 5

Fold the top layer’s left and right edges to meet the vertical centerline.

Step 6

Fold the top corner down, aligning it with the top edges of the flaps you just made in Step 5.

Step 7

Unfold Step 5.

Step 8

Lift the top layer and bring the bottom corner up to form a Petal fold. The outer edges will meet the vertical centerline.

Step 9

Turn the model over.

Step 10

Fold and unfold the left and right edges to meet the vertical centerline.

Step 11

Just like in Step 8, lift the top layer and bring the bottom corner up to form another Petal fold.

You now have a completed Bird base 🐦

Step 12

Fold the left and right edges to the vertical centerline.

🕊️ Folding tip: Don’t fold right up to the centerline and leave a small gap. This will make the upcoming steps easier. Do the same in Step 14.

Step 13

Turn the model over.

Step 14

Again, fold the left and right edges to the vertical centerline, leaving a small gap.

Step 15

Fold the top right flap over to the left.

Step 16

Turn the model over.

Step 17

Fold the top right flap over to the left, just like in Step 15.

Step 18

Fold the bottom corner of the top flap upward along the existing horizontal crease.

Step 19

Turn the model over.

Step 20

Repeat the same fold as in Step 18.

Step 21

Fold the top right flap over to the left.

🕊️ Folding tip: This is where those small gaps you left earlier come in handy. Things fold more smoothly now with all the layers involved.

Step 22

Turn the model over.

Step 23

Fold the top right flap over to the left again.

Step 24

Grab the crane’s tail (it’s between the wings) and Swivel fold it to the left. Align it with the outer edge and flatten the paper.

Step 25

Do the same on the right side.

Step 26

Mountain fold the crane’s head to the right. There’s no exact reference point here, so adjust the position to your liking. Crease well, then unfold.

🕊️ Note: In the video, I used a valley fold. It won’t affect the next step. But if you’re folding in the air, a mountain fold is usually easier to manage.

Step 27

Push down the crane’s head, and inside reverse fold the head along the creases you just made.

Step 28

Gently open the wings.

🕊️ Folding tip: You can round out the back of the crane by pulling the wings gently in opposite directions. Totally optional, but super satisfying 😊

Your Paper Crane Is Ready to Be Displayed!

The Thousand Paper Cranes

In Japan, the crane is traditionally said to live for a thousand years. From this belief comes the idea that folding one thousand paper cranes can bring good fortune, healing, or the fulfillment of a wish. Over time, this story became one of the most well-known traditions connected to the origami crane.

The crane’s worldwide recognition is closely tied to Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, a children’s book written by Eleanor Coerr. It tells the story of Sadako Sasaki, a young Japanese girl who was exposed to radiation as a toddler during the Hiroshima bombing and later developed leukemia.

While in the hospital, Sadako folded paper cranes, inspired by the hope that reaching one thousand would help her recover. According to her family, she folded well over a thousand cranes. After her death, her classmates continued folding cranes in her memory.

Today, paper cranes are widely used as symbols of peace and hope. They are often sent to memorials, museums, and remembrance sites around the world, where they stand not just for a single story, but for resilience, care, and the quiet power of a simple fold.

I hope you enjoyed folding this paper crane and taking the time to slow down with such a classic model. It’s one of those folds that becomes more satisfying each time you come back to it.

If you make one, feel free to share a photo in the comments. Different papers, sizes, and small variations always give the crane a slightly different feel, and it’s always nice to see how others approach it.

If you’d like to keep folding, you can explore our easy origami collection for simple, relaxing projects, or browse our origami bird category to see how the bird base evolves into many other designs.

And if you’d like to stay connected, don’t forget to subscribe to our origami YouTube channel for step-by-step tutorials, and join our newsletter to receive new models, tips, and inspiration straight to your inbox.

Other Origami Cranes:

Origami Celebration Crane

Origami Sitting Crane

Download the Full Origami Crane Printable PDFInstructions

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Watch the Origami Crane Video Tutorial

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Author Peter Saydak

I've been into origami for quite some time now, and I've been teaching it here on Origami.me for over 14 years. My other hobbies include martial arts, travel, video games and Go. I'm also the author of Everyone Can Learn Origami. You should definitely check it out!

Designer Traditional/Unknow

Traditional origami refers to classic models that are timeless, widely known, and/or have no known creator. Usually passed down through generations, they belong to everyone and form the foundation of modern origami.

Diagrammer Nick Robinson

Nick Robinson is a British origami artist, author of over 100 books, and former president of the British Origami Society. He’s been teaching paper folding for more than 40 years in schools, galleries, and online. His work focuses on clarity and simplicity, and when he’s not folding, he tours with his bands.

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Label Name* Email* 108 Comments Inline Feedbacks View all comments

Tara

I decided that I want to try and fold 1000 paper cranes. So I went out and bought some paper. I realized this paper was 15×15 which is twice the size of the recommended 7.5×7.5 paper for Orizuru cranes.

But 1000 paper cranes that 4 times the size of another 1000 paper cranes would seem all the more impressive. Anyway, here is 1/1000 (Attempt 2)

1 Reply

Florent Fabre Admin Reply to Tara

Hi Tara, that’s a great start! Using 15×15 cm paper will take up quite a bit of space, especially if you’re planning to assemble them into a senbazuru. You can also cut each sheet into quarters to make four smaller cranes from a single sheet. A tool like this is very handy for cutting origami paper neatly and evenly.

1 Reply

Tara Reply to Florent Fabre

Nearly a month later, I have around 700 cranes. But I recently notices that the wings are not as long as they are in the guide. I think I have folded them the wrong way and I am worried that the wish will not come true.

1 Reply

Florent Fabre Admin Reply to Tara

Wow Tara, 700 cranes, that’s serious dedication.

Your cranes are actually the same as mine. The only difference is that I spread the wings by gently pulling them in opposite directions. This stretches the back and makes the wings look longer. You can see how I do it in the video at Step 28.

And about the wish, I can’t guarantee the magic part… but folding 1000 cranes definitely says something about patience and determination. That alone is pretty powerful.

0 Reply

Dairy-talks

First try.. better then i expected… good one it is… right.?

0 Reply

Florent Fabre Admin Reply to Dairy-talks

Well done! 🙂

0 Reply

Fat Crane

1 Reply

Olivia

Thank you. These are great instructions. Very detailed. 🙂

1 Reply

Florent Fabre Admin Reply to Olivia

Nice paper! Do I see an open sink on the back of the crane?

0 Reply

Olivia Reply to Florent Fabre

Yes! I did it on purpose 🙂 I made others without.

1 Reply

Ari

Bro this looks soo bad. Is this good enough?

0 Reply

Florent Fabre Admin Reply to Ari

Hi Ari, It’s a good first fold with a sticky note. Sticky notes make it harder because the paper is thick and not exactly squared. Well done!

0 Reply

Mary Jo

First time to get it right! Thanks for the very helpful guide!

0 Reply

Florent Fabre Admin Reply to Mary Jo

Lovely! One of many 😉

0 Reply

Sam_gg

this is cool. its the first set of instructions that actually gives me a good understanding on what to do.

0 Reply

oppq3

Hello, this is my first time doing this. Do you think dis is good?

3 Reply

Folding learner

Whoops wrong bird

6 Reply

hamza

I made this with a sticky note i am very proud of my artwork i hope you enjoy my comment

1 Reply

liz Reply to hamza

WOW Hamza. Its looks very cool i like the colour. Keep going!

0 Reply

Rifka eryanti.A.N.W

ini pengalaman pertama saya membuat burung dari kertas origami,saya sangat senang sekaligus bangga dengan hasil lipatan tangan saya,tutorial ini sangat membantu sekali buat saya

1 Reply

Zaneta

I think i did quite well

WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-18-at-20.14.29_19bb24f0

0 Reply

Viven Verma

I made my very first paper crane and I was really happy how it turned out.BTW this is a really good tutorial

0 Reply

Florent Fabre Admin Reply to Viven Verma

Thank you for sharing, Viven! It’s looking really good for a first crane 🙂

1 Reply

levi

i think i did something wrong

1 Reply

Florent Fabre Admin Reply to levi

You’ll get it right next time! Keep folding 🙂

0 Reply

Folding learner Reply to levi

Is good for a 1st try

0 Reply

Evelyn Reply to Folding learner

I think its a challenge but its super fun to try

0 Reply « Previous 1 2 3

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Traditional Origami Crane Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9

Step 10

Step 11

Step 12

Step 13

Step 14

Step 15

Step 16

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Step 21

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Step 23

Step 24

Step 25

Step 26

Step 27

Step 28

Your Paper Crane Is Ready to Be Displayed!

The Thousand Paper Cranes

Other Origami Cranes:

Download the Full Origami Crane Printable PDFInstructions

Watch the Origami Crane Video Tutorial

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