How to make an origami box lid from Letter paper
Letter Paper Origami Box Lid: try all 19 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
An Origami Tutor lid that fits over the rectangular box from letter paper. It is folded from a second letter sheet of the same size, measured so its floor is a little larger than the box's. Together they make a box with a lid from two sheets of printer paper, with no scissors and no glue.
- You need
- Two sheets of US letter paper (8.5 × 11 in each) and a ruler. No scissors or glue.
- Start
- Lay two sheets of letter paper side by side, short edges at the top and the sides that should show outside face down. The left sheet makes the box and the right makes the slightly wider lid. Use a ruler for both sets of guides.
- Tips
- Use the same weight of paper for the box and the lid so the fit stays even.
- Two different colors make the lid easy to spot.
- Fold the box’s end rims toward the inside when fitting a lid; outward handles would obstruct it.
- Measure the wall guides from the open sheet edges before raising the sides.
- If the lid is tight, fold it again with the walls marked a little nearer the edges.
Your model is ready
The rectangular lid is fitted onto its matching box. Lift the two short rims to remove it, then lower it over the box to close it again.
Step-by-step diagrams
Steps 1–7
- 1
Mark the left wall (box)
Measure 2⅛ in (5.4 cm) in from the left long edge. Fold along that line, crease, and open flat.
- 2
Mark the right wall (box)
Measure 2⅛ in (5.4 cm) in from the right long edge. Crease that line and open flat.
- 3
Mark the upper end (box)
Measure 2¾ in (7 cm) down from the top short edge. Crease across the sheet and open flat.
- 4
Mark the lower end (box)
Measure 2¾ in (7 cm) up from the bottom short edge. Crease across the sheet and open flat.
- 5
Mark the upper rim (box)
Measure ⅝ in (1.6 cm) down from the top short edge. Crease this narrow strip and open it again.
- 6
Mark the lower rim (box)
Measure ⅝ in (1.6 cm) up from the bottom short edge. Crease the matching strip and open it again.
- 7
Mark the left wall (lid)
Measure 2 in (5 cm) in from the left long edge. Fold along that line, crease, and open flat.
Steps 8–14
- 8
Mark the right wall (lid)
Measure 2 in (5 cm) in from the right long edge. Crease that line and open flat.
- 9
Mark the upper end (lid)
Measure 2⅝ in (6.7 cm) down from the top short edge. Crease across the sheet and open flat.
- 10
Mark the lower end (lid)
Measure 2⅝ in (6.7 cm) up from the bottom short edge. Crease across the sheet and open flat.
- 11
Mark the upper rim (lid)
Measure ⅝ in (1.6 cm) down from the top short edge. Crease this narrow strip and open it again.
- 12
Mark the lower rim (lid)
Measure ⅝ in (1.6 cm) up from the bottom short edge. Crease the matching strip and open it again.
- 13
Raise the long sides (box)
Lift both long sides until they stand upright beside the floor. At each end, mark a diagonal from the floor corner to the nearby end of the rim crease.
- 14
Pinch the four corners inward (box)
Pinch each diagonal inward as the two end walls rise. Flatten the small triangular gussets against the inside of the ends, keeping the floor flat and the long sides upright.
Steps 15–19
- 15
Fold the box rims inward (box)
Turn the two broad end rims inward, toward the inside of the box. Keep them level so the lid can pass outside the walls.
- 16
Raise the long sides (lid)
Lift both long sides until they stand upright beside the floor. At each end, mark a diagonal from the floor corner to the nearby end of the rim crease.
- 17
Pinch the four corners inward (lid)
Pinch each diagonal inward as the two end walls rise. Flatten the small triangular gussets against the inside of the ends, keeping the floor flat and the long sides upright.
- 18
Turn out the two rims (lid)
Turn the narrow strip at each end outward over the corner triangles, making two broad, level handles.
- 19
Fit the rectangular lid
Lift the lid clear of the box and turn it upside down. Line up the long sides and lower it over the box. Leave a strip of the lower box showing below the lid so you can lift it off again.
- ✓
Finish
The rectangular lid is fitted onto its matching box. Lift the two short rims to remove it, then lower it over the box to close it again.
Fold next
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