2D diagram

How to make a triangular letter fold

Letter Fold (Triangular Note): try all 11 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.

Intermediate11 steps5 × 8 in · One rectangle

The traditional cocked-hat note: a rectangular letter folded into a small triangular packet.

You need: One 5 × 8 in rectangle of thin paper. No glue or scissors.
Start: Use a 5:8 rectangle, short edge at the top. Start colored side up. Write the message in the wide lower part of that side and leave the upper pocket area blank.
Tips: The three preparation creases make the final pocket easier to form.
Use thin paper so the folded triangle slips into its pocket.

Symbols, bases & terms ↗

Finish

Your model is ready

Your cocked-hat note is closed. Pull the tucked triangle back out to open the message. The closed three-cornered note with its small locking lip at the top.

3D paper

Whole sequence Finish

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11 steps · press any step to watch it in 3D

Step-by-step diagrams

Valley fold Mountain fold Color side White side

Steps 1–6

1
Fold the lower left corner across
Fold the lower left corner across to the right edge, one sheet-width above the bottom corner.
2
Fold the lower point across
Fold the long lower right point across to the left end of the horizontal edge, making a centered triangle below it.
3
Raise the triangle
Fold the lower triangle up along its horizontal root. Its point ends just below the top edge.
4
Prepare the left pocket
Fold the upper left corner forward along the left slant of the raised triangle. Press and open.
5
Prepare the right pocket
Fold the upper right corner forward along the other slant. Press and open.
6
Prepare the lip
Fold the narrow top strip behind along the triangle's tip level, press, and open.

Steps 7–11

7
Lower the triangle
Open the lower triangle back down. Keep the pocket creases you just made.
8
Close the triangular pocket
Bring the two upper sides forward along their slanting creases while the narrow top strip folds behind. Press the upper pocket flat, leaving the lower triangle free.
9
Close the note
Ease the rear skins of the upper pocket apart. Fold the lower triangle up along its root and guide it between the skins. Close the pocket around it and press the note flat.
10
Open the note again
Part the pocket's rear skins and draw the tucked triangle back down. This is how to release the message without undoing the upper pocket.
11
Close it again
Guide the lower triangle back between the same pocket skins and press the packet flat again.
✓
Finish
Your cocked-hat note is closed. Pull the tucked triangle back out to open the message. The closed three-cornered note with its small locking lip at the top.

Keep folding

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The old diamond-shaped square letterfold, also used as a seed case, with a lip that holds the corner locks.

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Love-knot letterfold ↗

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An Origami Tutor letterfold with a closed pentagonal knot and two tails. Fold the note into a narrow band, cross one end and pass it through the loop.