How to Fold a Paper Airplane

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Paper airplanes are fun craft toys that you can easily make yourself with just a piece of paper. There are many types of paper airplanes that you can try folding to see how far they can fly. More complex designs could help planes stay in the air longer and fly farther. Grab a piece of paper and fold it now!

Table of Contents

Classic paper airplane folding

Fold a sheet of standard printing paper in half lengthwise. Take a sheet of 22x28cm printing paper and place it on a flat surface. Fold the paper in half lengthwise to form a long rectangle. Run your fingernail along the fold, then unfold the paper. ^{[1] X Research Source}

You can use craft paper instead of printed paper if you want to fold the plane in color.

Fold the top two corners of the paper into the middle crease. After unfolding the paper, you will fold one of the top corners of the paper toward the crease just now to create a triangle. Use your fingernail to keep the crease in place. Repeat this with the other corner so that the top of the paper forms a pointed top. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Remember that the sharp corners should be facing you when folding the paper airplane, or you will fold the wrong corner.

Fold the top diagonal edges towards the center fold again. Hold the top corner of the folded paper toward the center crease to create a narrow triangle. Run your nails along the folded line to keep the folds. Fold the top corner in the same way so that the paper looks like a large triangle. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Tip: Try using a ruler or a credit card to smooth out the creases if they aren’t as sharp as you would with your fingernails.

Fold the paper in the middle crease. Lean on the first fold to create the next. Fold the plane in half along the middle crease so that the triangles you just created are facing in. Run your fingernails along the crease to keep the folds in place. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

This fold forms the tail section of the plane so it’s easy to hold and launch when finished.

Fold the sides diagonally into the center fold to create an airplane wing shape. Fold the diagonal edge of the paper into the middle crease you just created. Use your fingernail to smooth the crease. Flip the plane over to fold the other wing. Once you’ve folded the pleats on both sides, open it up a bit to create a flat back of the plane. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Make sure the wings are symmetrical to keep the plane balanced as you launch it into the air.

Fold the modified plane

Fold a 22×28 cm sheet of paper lengthwise. You can use printed or craft paper to fold the plane. Lay the paper on a flat surface and fold it in half lengthwise to form a long rectangle. Use your fingernail to trace the folded line down, then unfold the paper. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Try using other types of paper to add texture and see how it works on the plane.

Fold the top corners into the center fold. Fold one top corner of the paper into a triangle so that the top edge of the paper coincides with the middle crease. Use your fingernails to press down to keep the folds. Fold the other corner in the same way so that the top of the paper forms an acute angle. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Remember that sharp corners should be facing you when folding, or the folds won’t align.

Fold the pointed top down so that the bottom of the paper remains about 1.5 cm. Fold the pointed top down to hide the created triangles. Fold down until the tip is about 1.5 cm from the bottom edge of the paper. Fold the crease to keep the folds. Your sheet of paper should now look like an envelope. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Don’t let the sharp tip reach the bottom edge of the paper, as that will change the structure of the plane after folding.

Fold the top corners of the paper to the center crease. Fold a newly created corner so that it coincides with the middle crease. Repeat the same with the other corner to form 2 triangles. ^{[9] X Research Source}

If you want the plane to have a flat nose, fold the top of the plane so that only the corners touch the crease in the center of the paper.

Hold the folds in place by folding the bottom spike up. Fold the pointed top closest to the bottom edge of the paper so that it covers the two diagonal corners. Make sure this fold holds the two triangles in place. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Your paper should look like a large triangle on top and a narrow rectangle once folded.

Fold the paper in half along the middle crease. Fold the plane in half in the opposite direction to the original fold. The previous folds will be flipped out so that you still see the triangles. Flatten along the crease. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Do not hide the previous folds inside; otherwise, the structure of the aircraft will be affected.

Fold the wings down so that they coincide with the bottom edge. Fold the diagonal edge of the plane towards the crease you just created. Flip the plane over and fold in the same way on the other side to create a second wing. Open the wings so that the plane has a flat back for easy flight. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Make sure the wings are the same size so the plane doesn’t tilt to one side in flight.

Advice

Try launching the plane outdoors to let the wind carry it farther.
Find paper airplane designs online to experiment with other styles.
Try using tape or glue to stick if the plane doesn’t hold the fold.

Warning

Don’t launch paper airplanes in school, or you’ll get in trouble.
Do not launch the plane at any person or animal, as the nose of the plane can be very sharp.

Steps

Classic paper airplane folding

Fold the modified plane

Advice

Warning

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