The origami crane is one of the most iconic symbols in Japanese culture. According to legend, folding one thousand paper cranes (known as “senbazuru”) grants the folder a wish. Today, cranes are exchanged as symbols of peace, longevity, and good fortune, and mastering the classic crane fold unlocks the door to a world of more advanced origami. This complete tutorial walks you through every fold from a flat square of paper to a finished, three-dimensional crane.
What You Need
- Origami paper: A 15cm x 15cm square is the standard size for beginners. Thin paper folds more crisply than thick. Traditional Japanese washi paper is beautiful but any thin paper that holds a crease works well. Printer paper cut to a square is fine for practice.
- A flat surface: A table or hard book to fold against.
- Patience: Your first crane may not be perfect. That is normal.
The Origami Bird Base
All origami cranes begin with the “bird base” or “square base.” Most intermediate origami models use this starting point, so mastering it is worthwhile regardless of what you want to create.
Step 1: Fold in Half Diagonally (Twice)
- Place your paper coloured side down on a flat surface.
- Fold it diagonally corner to corner. Press the crease firmly with your fingernail.
- Unfold, then fold diagonally in the other direction. Press and unfold.
- You now have two diagonal crease lines forming an X through the paper.
Step 2: Fold in Half Vertically and Horizontally
- With the paper still coloured side down, fold it in half from top to bottom. Press the crease. Unfold.
- Fold in half from left to right. Press and unfold.
- You now have four crease lines: two diagonal and two straight, meeting at the centre.
Step 3: Collapse into a Preliminary Square Base
- Turn the paper so the coloured side faces up.
- Bring two opposite corners together while simultaneously folding the other two corners in, using the existing creases. The paper will naturally collapse into a small square with four flaps.
- Arrange so the open flaps face downward and the closed point faces up. This is your preliminary square base.
Step 4: Petal Folds (Making the Bird Base)
- Take the front layer only. Fold the bottom-left edge to the centre line. Repeat with the bottom-right edge. Press both folds.
- Fold the top triangle down over the two folded edges. Press the crease.
- Now unfold all three folds you just made, opening the paper back to the preliminary square.
- Lift the bottom front flap upward. As you do, the two sides will fold inward along the existing creases, creating a long diamond shape. Press all edges flat. This is one petal fold.
- Turn the whole model over and repeat steps 1 through 4 on the back. You now have the bird base: a diamond with two long points at the top and two long points at the bottom.
Folding the Crane from the Bird Base
Step 5: Fold the Sides to the Centre
- On the front layer only, fold the bottom-left edge to meet the centre line.
- Fold the bottom-right edge to meet the centre line.
- Turn the model over and repeat on the back.
- You now have a narrower diamond shape with four slim flaps.
Step 6: Inside Reverse Fold the Neck and Tail
The two narrow points at the bottom become the crane’s neck and tail.
- Take one of the bottom points and fold it upward at roughly a 45-degree angle from the body centre. Press the crease firmly, then unfold.
- Open the flap slightly and push the point upward and inward along the crease you just made. The paper will invert at the crease and the point will rise up between the two main body layers. Press flat. This is an inside reverse fold and it takes a little practice.
- Repeat for the other bottom point, folding it at a slightly different angle (this one becomes the neck).
Step 7: Fold the Head
- Take the neck (the shorter of the two upward-pointing extensions – you choose which).
- Fold the very tip down at roughly a 30-degree angle from the neck. Press and unfold.
- Apply another inside reverse fold: open the neck slightly and push the tip downward and inward. This creates the crane’s head and beak.
Step 8: Open the Wings
- Hold the crane by the two body points (neck and tail) between your thumbs and index fingers.
- Gently pull the neck and tail apart. As you do, the body will puff open and the wings will spread.
- Blow a small puff of air into the opening at the bottom of the body to inflate it fully.
- Shape the wings by gently bending the tips downward or curving them.
Tips for a Beautiful Crane
- Every crease counts. Precise, sharp creases make the difference between a crisp, professional-looking crane and a floppy one.
- Always fold on a hard surface, not in the air.
- If a step does not look right, unfold carefully and try again. Paper has a good memory and your creases will guide you.
- Try different paper sizes. A 30cm square makes a large, impressive display crane. A 7.5cm square makes a tiny charm ideal for garlands.
Making a Senbazuru (1000 Cranes)
The tradition of folding 1000 cranes is called senbazuru. The cranes are typically strung together in sets of 25 using a needle and thread through the body. One person can fold 1000 cranes in 6 to 12 months folding a few each day. It is also a wonderful group project for families, classrooms, or community groups.
For more paper craft projects, visit our Paper Crafts category. You might also enjoy our Paper Quilling guide as a natural companion to origami.
