2D diagram
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How to make an easy paper airplane

Easy Paper Airplane (Simple Paper Airplane): follow 7 steps in 3D. Turn and replay each move. Print the diagrams or save a PDF.

EasyAn Origami Tutor design7 steps8.5 × 11 in · One rectangle

An Origami Tutor paper airplane with the fewest folds: two corners, one fold in half and two wings. A good first plane for kids, with broad wings that glide gently.

You need
One sheet of letter paper (A4 works too). No glue or scissors.
Start
Lay a sheet of letter paper in front of you, short edge at the top.
Tips
  • Crease every fold firmly so the wings stay even.
  • If the plane dives, bend the back edges of both wings up a little.
Symbols, bases & terms ↗
Finish

Your model is ready

Hold the plane under the body near the nose and push it gently forward, a little upward.

3D paper
7 steps · press any step to watch it in 3D

Step-by-step diagrams

Valley fold Mountain fold Color side White side
  1. 1

    Crease the middle

    Fold the paper in half from left to right, crease it, and open it again.

  2. 2

    Fold the left corner in

    Fold the top left corner down so the top edge lies along the center crease.

  3. 3

    Fold the right corner in

    Fold the top right corner the same way. The top is now a point.

  4. 4

    Fold in half

    Fold the plane in half along the center crease, with the corner folds on the outside.

  5. 5

    Fold the first wing down

    Fold the top wing down along a line from the nose to a point a little over an inch from the body's fold at the back.

  6. 6

    Fold the second wing behind

    Fold the other wing back along the same line, so it matches the first.

  7. 7

    Open both wings

    Spread the broad wings away from the body along their creases. Leave a shallow V, with both tips a little higher than the roots. Then turn the plane upright, keel below.

  8. ✓

    Finish

    Hold the plane under the body near the nose and push it gently forward, a little upward.