How To Fold Paper Into A Secret Note Square: 10 Steps - WikiHow

Home » How To Fold A Note » How To Fold Paper Into A Secret Note Square: 10 Steps - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Secret Note Square PDF download Download Article Surprise your friends with this cute gesture Explore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Questions & Answers Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Co-authored by Nicole Bolin

Last Updated: April 20, 2025

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This article was co-authored by Nicole Bolin. Nicole Bolin is a Crafting Specialist and the CEO of Stencil, a DIY Craft Studio in Phoenix, Arizona. Nicole specializes in interior design and various craft and DIY projects. Nicole holds a Certificate in Interior Design from the New York Institute of Art and Design. She opened Stencil in 2017 to teach others to create DIY projects that fit their home and lifestyle. This article has been viewed 1,629,792 times.

Want to fold a note in a compact and unique way? Folding a piece of paper into a secret note square is very fun and easy, and is a simple way to pass the time in class. Secret note squares are a great way to pass along a secret message to one of your friends during class and to impress your friends with your folding skills.

Steps

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  1. Step 1 Use a letter-size piece of paper. 1 Use a letter-size piece of paper. Letter size is 8.5" by 11". (If you're outside the US, use A4. You need to cut it or else this doesn't work.)
    • If your piece of paper is too big, cut it down to size using an exacto knife.[1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Paper Into a Secret Note Square 2 Fold the paper hot-dog style, along the vertical axis. Make sure the side with writing on it is facing the inside, so you can't see it. Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Paper Into a Secret Note Square 3 Fold the paper hot-dog style a second time. Now you have a long, thin piece of paper.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Paper Into a Secret Note Square 4 Fold the ends into triangles by folding them over diagonally. Make sure the two edges of the triangles are parallel; not like a trapezoid, (two parallel sides and two non-parallel sides) but like a parallelogram (two pairs of two parallel sides).
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Paper Into a Secret Note Square 5 Fold each triangle over diagonally again, forming a thin parallelogram on each end. Make your fold so that the edge of the triangle that's closest to the center of the rectangle moves up so that it's parallel to the long side of the rectangle. If you do this with both triangles, you will create something that looks like an "S" turned 90 degrees counterclockwise.
    • If you fold the triangles inward, you will get a rectangle, and this is wrong.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Paper Into a Secret Note Square 6 Fold the edges of the parallelograms facing the center straight over. You should have two triangles making a square shape in the center, with an equally-sized triangle sitting on each side.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Paper Into a Secret Note Square 7 Grab the triangle sitting on top of the square, and fold the edge beneath one of the triangles in the square.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Paper Into a Secret Note Square 8 Grab the triangle on the bottom of the square, and slide it beneath the edge of the other triangle in the square.
  9. Step 9 Finished. 9 Finished.
  10. Step 10 Enjoy your note square! 10 Enjoy your note square!
    11. Advertisement

Community Q&A

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  • Question How should I dispose of my secret note? Community Answer Community Answer Tear it up into small pieces, and throw them away. If you can, try throwing the pieces away into different trash cans. If you are very careful, you can also burn the note instead. 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 77 Helpful 280
  • Question What if an enemy finds out how the note works? Community Answer Community Answer Abort the mission immediately. Stick the note in your pocket, or conceal the note by closing your fist around it. Find a way to burn the note as quickly as possible. 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 44 Helpful 205
  • Question Do I put the note inside of it or just write it on the cover? Community Answer Community Answer You probably write it inside to keep it secret. That is the purpose of doing this. 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 54 Helpful 177
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Tips

  • If a teacher does catch you and opens up the note, it would be handy to have the message written in some form of code or cypher. The teacher won't have a clue what you're talking about. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
  • You can slip small pieces of paper inside the "pocket" on each side of the square. These can serve as distractions or you can hide the real note inside them. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
  • Give your friend a way to crack the code at your break then send the note and the teacher won't see or understand it. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
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.
  • Use a pencil when you write your top secret notes — it's much easier to erase than a pen, and you avoid any stains or evidence. Only write on paper, too, not your hand or anything else that could get you in trouble.
  • Take it slowly when learning origami folds; don't rush it. Going too fast leads to mistakes, frustration, and wasted paper. Be patient with yourself as you practice — it takes time to get the technique down.
  • Pass notes super sneakily in class, like when the teacher has their back turned. And subtly slip it to the friend sitting right next to you. Don't make it obvious! Waiting for the right moment takes patience.
  • Don't put any major secrets in notes that could get you in big trouble if caught. Save sensitive stuff for discussing in private later on. Notes can easily fall into the wrong hands. Better safe than sorry.
  • If you need to use a secret code, try writing the note with your non-dominant hand. The different handwriting helps hide your identity if it falls into the wrong hands. Clever, right?
  • After your friend reads the note, tear it up into tiny pieces and toss them in different trash cans. That way, no one can find and reassemble the evidence! Scattering it is key.
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

  • Remember to make sure the receiver of the note understands how to open the note, or else they'll be very confused. Thanks Helpful 31 Not Helpful 4
  • These instructions were designed for 8.5 x 11 inch paper commonly used in North America. To make it work with the A4 paper, you should trim the paper 3 centimeters. If you don't cut the A4 sheet, after step 5 you will have a rectangle instead of a square. Fold a little concertina in the middle of this to form a square. Thanks Helpful 18 Not Helpful 3
  • Write on the top half of the paper. Some areas on the bottom portion are visible after the square has been folded. Thanks Helpful 23 Not Helpful 5
  • Be careful when passing notes in a classroom; some teachers get really upset about it and you might get in trouble. Thanks Helpful 21 Not Helpful 5
  • Always be patient, and don’t get frustrated. Remember, always write the notes in code. Thanks Helpful 22 Not Helpful 7
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Things You'll Need

  • A sheet of 8.5 x 11 inch paper (or A4 paper cut to 210 x 271.76mm)

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References

  1. ↑ Nicole Bolin. Crafts & DIY Specialist. Expert Interview

About This Article

Nicole Bolin Co-authored by: Nicole Bolin Crafts & DIY Specialist This article was co-authored by Nicole Bolin. Nicole Bolin is a Crafting Specialist and the CEO of Stencil, a DIY Craft Studio in Phoenix, Arizona. Nicole specializes in interior design and various craft and DIY projects. Nicole holds a Certificate in Interior Design from the New York Institute of Art and Design. She opened Stencil in 2017 to teach others to create DIY projects that fit their home and lifestyle. This article has been viewed 1,629,792 times. 182 votes - 79% Co-authors: 154 Updated: April 20, 2025 Views: 1,629,792 Categories: Featured Articles | Origami In other languages Spanish Russian Italian German French Indonesian Dutch Japanese
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Reader Success Stories

  • Anthony Alsop

    Anthony Alsop

    Jun 22, 2018

    "I have been trying to write a note to my crush, but the teacher would know what I was doing and would always read..." more Rated this article:
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Nicole Bolin Co-authored by: Nicole Bolin Crafts & DIY Specialist 182 votes - 79% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 154 Updated: April 20, 2025 Views: 1,629,792 Anthony Alsop

Anthony Alsop

Jun 22, 2018

"I have been trying to write a note to my crush, but the teacher would know what I was doing and would always read..." more Rated this article: Sean L.

Sean L.

Aug 4, 2025

""I have been trying to write a note to my crush, but the teacher would know what I was doing and would always..." more Anne Bennett

Anne Bennett

Apr 10, 2017

"I was looking for a way to have my Guides unit fold a paper containing a secret message to themselves to be added..." more Rated this article: Mia

Mia

Dec 3, 2020

"This helped me so much because, like Anthony Alsop, I was trying to write a note to my crush but the teacher would..." more Amelia Kilback

Amelia Kilback

Mar 9, 2018

"I was trying to give a note to my crush in class, but he would never get it because our teacher would see what I..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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