More challenging / English PDF

Fold a Paper Crane

Turn one solid-colour square into a traditional origami crane. Follow 39 separate colour-illustrated actions, including petal folds and inside reverse folds.

60 minutes · Ages 10+ with adult help · 43 pages · 39 steps

A traditional crane made from one square of plain paper. Start with 20 x 20 cm thin, double-sided same-colour paper. The guide separates folds, openings and turns into 39 numbered actions, with one independent colour diagram per action. Allow 45-60 minutes for a first attempt; adult guidance is recommended for ages 10+.

$1.99USD / one-time price

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Materials

One 20 x 20 cm square of thin pink origami paper, same colour on both faces
60-80 gsm paper recommended; 15 x 15 cm is optional after practice
A flat, dry table and optional ruler to check the square
No glue, cutting or colour printing needed during folding

Inside your PDF

43-page English PDF
39 numbered actions, each on its own page with a colour before-and-after illustration
Paper preparation, diagram key and layer/orientation checks
Petal folds and inside reverse folds broken into separate actions
Troubleshooting and paper-size guidance

TRADITIONAL ORIGAMI / ONE SOLID-COLOUR SQUARE

A paper crane, one clear action at a time

Before you fold

One 20 x 20 cm square of thin pink origami paper, same colour on both faces
60-80 gsm paper recommended; 15 x 15 cm is optional after practice
A flat, dry table and optional ruler to check the square
No glue, cutting or colour printing needed during folding

Inside the English PDF

43-page English PDF
39 numbered actions, each on its own page with a colour before-and-after illustration
Paper preparation, diagram key and layer/orientation checks
Petal folds and inside reverse folds broken into separate actions
Troubleshooting and paper-size guidance

Pink shades distinguish layers and shadows. Use one sheet with the same colour on both faces. Drawings are schematic, not full-size templates.

A look at the folding diagrams

Each numbered action in the complete PDF has its own page, its own colour before-and-after picture and a check before you continue.

Origami crane action 1: The first diagonal crease — Action 1 / 39 — The first diagonal crease

Origami crane action 13: Flatten the first petal fold — Action 13 / 39 — Flatten the first petal fold

Origami crane action 34: Inside reverse fold the head — Action 34 / 39 — Inside reverse fold the head

View the 39-action sequence

Make the first diagonal crease
Make the other diagonal crease
Turn the sheet over
Make the horizontal crease
Make the vertical crease
Position the sheet as a diamond
Collapse the square base
Fold the front lower-left edge inward
Fold the front lower-right edge inward
Crease the small top triangle down
Reopen the three front folds
Lift the front bottom point
Flatten the first petal fold
Turn the model over
Fold the new lower-left edge inward
Fold the new lower-right edge inward
Reinforce the top hinge
Reopen the three folds on this face
Lift the new front bottom point
Flatten the second petal fold
Narrow the front lower-left edge
Narrow the front lower-right edge
Turn the narrowed face to the back
Narrow the new lower-left edge
Narrow the new lower-right edge
Pre-crease the left point upward
Open the left point for the reverse fold
Inside reverse fold the neck upward
Pre-crease the right point upward
Open the right point for the reverse fold
Inside reverse fold the tail upward
Pre-crease a small beak
Open the neck tip slightly
Inside reverse fold the head
Fold the front wing down
Turn over to reach the second wing
Fold the second wing down
Return to the head-left view
Open the wings and shape the crane

Before you make it

Do I need a colour printer?

No. Follow the colour illustrations on screen and fold a plain square of coloured paper. The PDF is an instruction guide, not a printed-colour craft template.

Which paper size should I use?

Start with a true 20 x 20 cm square of thin paper. A 15 x 15 cm square also works, but the small folds need more care. Do not start with an untrimmed A4 or US Letter rectangle.

Is this suitable for a first origami project?

It is an ambitious project. Younger children and complete beginners will likely need adult help with the petal folds and inside reverse folds.

Is every numbered action illustrated?

Yes. Each of the 39 actions has its own newly drawn colour before-and-after picture and its own PDF page. Pre-creasing, reopening and turning are explicitly labelled.

Is the crane model an original invention?

The crane is a traditional origami model. These written instructions and schematic illustrations were newly produced for Paper Craft Guides.