How to make an origami box lid (masu)
Origami Box Lid (Masu): try all 47 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
A matching masu box and lid. Fold the same pattern from two different-sized squares, then turn the larger tray over and fit it onto the smaller box.
- You need
- Two squares of the same paper: 6 × 6 in for the box and 6¼ × 6¼ in for the lid. Scissors only to prepare the starting squares; no cuts or glue during folding.
- Start
- For a box from a 6 in square, cut a 6¼ in square for this lid: ¼ in larger on each side. For a 15 cm box sheet, start with a 15.6 cm lid sheet. Lay the smaller box sheet on the left and the larger lid sheet on the right. Start both white side up, with a corner pointing up.
- Tips
- Use the same kind of paper for the box and lid. Thick paper may need a little more clearance.
- Fold the corners right to the center; the larger sheet supplies the extra size.
Your model is ready
The larger lid is fitted over the smaller box. Lift it straight up to open the box; lower it gently to close it again.
Step-by-step diagrams
Steps 1–7
- 1
Find the middle across (box)
Fold the top corner to the bottom corner, press, and open.
- 2
Find the middle lengthwise (box)
Fold the left corner to the right corner, press, and open.
- 3
Fold the top corner in (box)
Bring the top corner to the center, where the two creases cross.
- 4
Fold the right corner in (box)
Bring the right corner to the center.
- 5
Fold the bottom corner in (box)
Bring the bottom corner to the center.
- 6
Fold the left corner in (box)
Bring the left corner to the center.
- 7
Crease the top wall (box)
Fold the top edge to the middle, press, and open it again.
Steps 8–14
- 8
Crease the bottom wall (box)
Fold the bottom edge to the middle, press, and open it again.
- 9
Crease the left wall (box)
Fold the left edge to the middle, press, and open it again.
- 10
Crease the right wall (box)
Fold the right edge to the middle, press, and open it again.
- 11
Open the top end (box)
Open the top triangle all the way out. Keep the other two corners at the center.
- 12
Open the bottom end (box)
Open the bottom triangle all the way out. Keep the other two corners at the center.
- 13
Fold the left side in (box)
Fold the long left edge to the middle along its wall crease.
- 14
Fold the right side in (box)
Fold the long right edge to meet it at the middle.
Steps 15–21
- 15
Prepare the upper left corner (box)
Fold the whole end sideways along the slanting line, press, and open it again.
- 16
Prepare the upper right corner (box)
Fold the whole end sideways along the slanting line, press, and open it again.
- 17
Prepare the lower left corner (box)
Fold the whole end sideways along the slanting line, press, and open it again.
- 18
Prepare the lower right corner (box)
Fold the whole end sideways along the slanting line, press, and open it again.
- 19
Find the middle across (lid)
Fold the top corner to the bottom corner, press, and open.
- 20
Find the middle lengthwise (lid)
Fold the left corner to the right corner, press, and open.
- 21
Fold the top corner in (lid)
Bring the top corner to the center, where the two creases cross.
Steps 22–28
- 22
Fold the right corner in (lid)
Bring the right corner to the center.
- 23
Fold the bottom corner in (lid)
Bring the bottom corner to the center.
- 24
Fold the left corner in (lid)
Bring the left corner to the center.
- 25
Crease the top wall (lid)
Fold the top edge to the middle, press, and open it again.
- 26
Crease the bottom wall (lid)
Fold the bottom edge to the middle, press, and open it again.
- 27
Crease the left wall (lid)
Fold the left edge to the middle, press, and open it again.
- 28
Crease the right wall (lid)
Fold the right edge to the middle, press, and open it again.
Steps 29–35
- 29
Open the top end (lid)
Open the top triangle all the way out. Keep the other two corners at the center.
- 30
Open the bottom end (lid)
Open the bottom triangle all the way out. Keep the other two corners at the center.
- 31
Fold the left side in (lid)
Fold the long left edge to the middle along its wall crease.
- 32
Fold the right side in (lid)
Fold the long right edge to meet it at the middle.
- 33
Prepare the upper left corner (lid)
Fold the whole end sideways along the slanting line, press, and open it again.
- 34
Prepare the upper right corner (lid)
Fold the whole end sideways along the slanting line, press, and open it again.
- 35
Prepare the lower left corner (lid)
Fold the whole end sideways along the slanting line, press, and open it again.
Steps 36–42
- 36
Prepare the lower right corner (lid)
Fold the whole end sideways along the slanting line, press, and open it again.
- 37
Raise both side walls (box)
Open the two long side folds halfway, until both sides stand at right angles to the square floor. Leave the long end flaps pointing out.
- 38
Raise the top end wall (box)
Pinch the two top corners inward along their diagonal creases. Bring the end wall upright, with both triangular gussets lying against its inside. Keep the floor square and the long sides upright.
- 39
Wrap the top flap inside (box)
Fold the long flap over the top rim, covering the two corner triangles. Bend its point onto the floor along the existing crease and press it toward the center.
- 40
Raise the bottom end wall (box)
Pinch the two bottom corners inward along their diagonal creases. Bring the end wall upright, with both triangular gussets lying against its inside. Keep the floor square and the long sides upright.
- 41
Wrap the bottom flap inside (box)
Fold the long flap over the top rim, covering the two corner triangles. Bend its point onto the floor along the existing crease and press it toward the center.
- 42
Raise both side walls (lid)
Open the two long side folds halfway, until both sides stand at right angles to the square floor. Leave the long end flaps pointing out.
Steps 43–47
- 43
Raise the top end wall (lid)
Pinch the two top corners inward along their diagonal creases. Bring the end wall upright, with both triangular gussets lying against its inside. Keep the floor square and the long sides upright.
- 44
Wrap the top flap inside (lid)
Fold the long flap over the top rim, covering the two corner triangles. Bend its point onto the floor along the existing crease and press it toward the center.
- 45
Raise the bottom end wall (lid)
Pinch the two bottom corners inward along their diagonal creases. Bring the end wall upright, with both triangular gussets lying against its inside. Keep the floor square and the long sides upright.
- 46
Wrap the bottom flap inside (lid)
Fold the long flap over the top rim, covering the two corner triangles. Bend its point onto the floor along the existing crease and press it toward the center.
- 47
Fit the lid onto the box
Turn the larger tray upside down and lower it over the smaller box. Leave a narrow band of the box showing below the lid so it is easy to lift off again.
- ✓
Finish
The larger lid is fitted over the smaller box. Lift it straight up to open the box; lower it gently to close it again.
Fold next
Masu box ↗
Fold the traditional square masu box, with upright walls and both end flaps locked onto the floor.
Basic box ↗
A rectangular tray with two broad folded rims. This Origami Tutor sequence opens the traditional basic-box shape while keeping its floor flat.
Letter paper box ↗
A deep rectangular box folded from one uncut sheet of letter paper, with narrow rims at both ends. This Origami Tutor sequence opens the traditional basic-box shape without cutting or glue.
Gift box ↗
A two-piece gift box: a traditional masu box and a matching lid folded from a square a quarter inch larger, so the lid slides over the box. No scissors or glue.