How to make an origami cube
Origami Cube: try all 11 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
A hollow cube from one rectangle of paper: cut away six of its twelve squares, crease the rest, and fold them up into a 3 in cube with a lid.
- You need
- One sheet of thin card, 12 × 9 in, a ruler and pencil, scissors and tape.
- Start
- Use a sheet of thin card, 12 × 9 in (30 × 23 cm), white side up. Mark twelve squares 3 in (7.5 cm) wide, four across and three down. Keep the long edge at the top.
- Tips
- Measure the grid with a ruler so all twelve squares are exactly the same size.
- Score each crease lightly with a ruler and a dull pencil point before folding, to get crisp cube edges.
- A strip cut from a sticky note makes a neat, removable tape for the seams.
Your model is ready
The cube is closed. Run a strip of tape along each of the seven open edges to hold it together. The finished cube, on its base with its lid on top.
Step-by-step diagrams
Steps 1–6
- 1
Cut out the top left square
Cut down the first upright line from the top edge as far as the first crosswise line, then left along that line to the edge. The square lifts away.
- 2
Cut out the top right squares
Cut down the second upright line from the top edge to the first crosswise line, then right along that line to the edge. The two squares lift away.
- 3
Cut out the bottom left square
Cut up the first upright line from the bottom edge as far as the second crosswise line, then left along that line to the edge.
- 4
Cut out the bottom right squares
Cut up the second upright line from the bottom edge to the second crosswise line, then right along that line to the edge. You are left with a cross: a row of four squares, with one square above and one below the second.
- 5
Crease the left wall
Fold the first square of the row up along the line it shares with the second square. Press the crease and open it flat.
- 6
Crease the right wall
Fold the third square of the row up along the line it shares with the second square. Press the crease and open it flat.
Steps 7–11
- 7
Crease the lid
Fold the last square of the row up along the line it shares with the third square. Press the crease and open it flat.
- 8
Crease the back wall
Fold the square above the second one down along the line they share. Press the crease and open it flat.
- 9
Crease the front wall
Fold the square below the second one up along the line they share. Press the crease and open it flat.
- 10
Raise the four walls
Stand the left, right, back and front squares up at right angles to the second square, which is the base. Their edges meet at the four upright corners of the cube.
- 11
Close the lid
Fold the last square of the row over the top of the walls as the lid. Its edges meet the tops of the other three walls.
- ✓
Finish
The cube is closed. Run a strip of tape along each of the seven open edges to hold it together. The finished cube, on its base with its lid on top.
Fold next
Masu box ↗
Fold the traditional square masu box, with upright walls and both end flaps locked onto the floor.
Masu lid ↗
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.
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.