How to make a six-sided paper snowflake
six-Sided Paper Snowflake: try all 11 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
Four ordinary folds make the real six-point packet. Trim the uneven ends, then cut two bold notches through every layer. The blue blade lines form the printable folded guide.
- You need
- Thin paper, a pencil, a ruler, a 30°/60° set square or the printed angle guide, and scissors.
- Start
- Begin with a 12 × 12 cm square of thin paper and a 30°/60° set square.
Your model is ready
Ease the creases flat. Lift the opened paper by an uncut edge to see the whole pattern. Hold the opened paper upright and flat, with the whole pattern.
Step-by-step diagrams
Steps 1–6
- 1
Fold the square in half
Bring the bottom edge to the top edge. The midpoint of the folded edge is the snowflake centre; mark it lightly.
- 2
Fold the left third across
At the marked midpoint, use the 60° corner of a set square to mark a ray up and left. Fold the left side over that ray; its folded edge now points up and right.
- 3
Fold the right third across
Fold the right side over the matching 60° ray up and right. Line its folded edge up with the left sloping edge. All three sectors should match at the centre.
- 4
Halve the wedge
Bring the left sloping edge to the right sloping edge. Fold straight up from the centre to make a narrow 30° packet with twelve layers near its point.
- 5
Trim the uneven tips
Cut across the packet 48 mm above its centre. Remove both uneven ears, keeping the pointed folded centre. This trim gives every sector the same outside edge.
- 6
Shape the six points
Cut a broad sloping notch from the straight folded edge to the outside edge. Leave the outer right corner as a point and keep the centre joined.
Steps 7–11
- 7
Cut the side notch
Cut inward from the sloping folded edge and return to that edge. Leave a wide band between this notch and the first cut.
- 8
Open wedge half
Open this crease gently, leaving the earlier folds closed. Keep the uncut joins together.
- 9
Open right third
Open this crease gently, leaving the earlier folds closed. Keep the uncut joins together.
- 10
Open left third
Open this crease gently, leaving the earlier folds closed. Keep the uncut joins together.
- 11
Open half
Open this crease gently, leaving the earlier folds closed. Keep the uncut joins together.
- ✓
Finish
Ease the creases flat. Lift the opened paper by an uncut edge to see the whole pattern. Hold the opened paper upright and flat, with the whole pattern.
Fold next
Stepped four-point snowflake ↗
Fold a square twice, cut narrow stepped branches and nine windows, then open a light four-point snowflake. This is Origami Tutor's own pattern.
Notched eight-arm snowflake ↗
Fold a square twice, cut eight forked arms and nine windows, then open the full snowflake. This is Origami Tutor's own pattern.
Paper chain dolls ↗
Accordion-fold six panels, then cut an original doll through the packet. Keep both side edges joined at the hands and feet. The cut outline repeats into six connected figures.
Five-point star with one cut ↗
The historical angle-division method folds a half-sheet into two and a half sectors, folds the remaining half sector under, then halves the packet. One straight cut opens into a five-point star.