How to Make an Origami Crane

Category: Origami Animals, Origami Birds

Difficulty: Hard

Follow our simple, visual step-by-step instructions to make your own traditional origami crane in no time.

The origami crane is one of the most popular and recognized paper constructions ever. When origami is brought up in a conversation, you cant help but think of the origami crane. It’s popularity is definitely warranted because it is a beautiful piece of art.

These origami crane instruction were written to be as easy to follow as possible. I recommend using origami paper if you want them to turn out nice, but regular paper will also do fine.

How to Make an Origami Crane VIDEO

Step 1

Start with a square piece of origami paper. I am using an 7×7 inches origami paper.

If you only have regular paper, follow these instructions on how to make a square origami paper.

Step 2

Face the lighter side upwards and move the paper diagonally.

Step 3

Fold the paper in half by taking the top corner and folding it to the bottom corner.

Step 4

Fold the triangle in half by taking the left corner and folding it to the right.

Step 5

Take the top flap and open it.

Step 6

Crease the top corner to make the top flap diagonally shaped.

Step 7

Crease the left and right sides so you can fold the top corner to the bottom corner.

Step 8

Now we’ll turn the paper over and do the same thing to the this side.

Step 9

Take the top flap and open it.

Step 10

Crease the left and right sides so you can fold the top corner to the bottom corner.

Step 11

Take right side of the top layer and fold it to meet at the middle.

Step 12

Take left side of the top layer and fold it to meet at the middle.

Step 13

Fold down the top triangle as shown.

Step 14

Unfold.

Step 15

Open the top flap.

Step 16

Move the top flap upwards and crease the left and right sides.

Step 17

Flatten the left and right sides well.

Step 18

Turn the figure over.

Step 19

Repeat the steps 15, 16 and 17 on this side too.

Step 20

Take the upper layer of both sides and fold the lower parts into the center like you see in the picture.

Step 21

Turn the figure over.

Step 22

Repeat the step 20 on this side too.

Step 23

Take the left flap and fold it over to the right.

Step 24

Turn the figure over.

Step 25

Take the left flap and fold it over to the right.

Step 26

Take the bottom flap and fold it over to the top.

Step 27

Turn the figure over.

Step 28

Take the bottom flap and fold it over to the top again.

Step 29

Take the top layer of the right flap and fold it over to the left.

Step 30

Turn the figure over.

Step 31

Take the top layer of the right flap and fold it over to the left.

Step 32

Take the left and right pieces underneath the top flap and pull them apart.

Step 33

Crease the bottom of those pieces so that they’ll stay spread apart.

Step 34

Take one of those pieces that you pulled apart, and slightly open the top corner.

Step 35

Bend a portion of it down to form the head.

Step 36

Crease the sides of the head up so the piece will stay bent.

Step 37

Now the crane should look like this.

Step 38

Bend the wing down at a 90 degree angle.

Step 39

Turn the figure over.

Step 40

Bend the wing down at a 90 degree angle.

Step 41

Voila! You made a beautiful origami crane!

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Comments

2 responses to “How to Make an Origami Crane”

Huiyi Chen
October 30, 2024
I really like how the crane ended, it was a very cool origami bird. It was also a fun activity for me.
Reply
TheBlytheBanner
February 12, 2025
Best tutorial!! I finally made one!
Reply

How to Make an Origami Crane

How to Make an Origami Crane VIDEO

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2 responses to “How to Make an Origami Crane”

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