What age is this origami Crane for?

About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 17 steps, and takes about 15 minutes.

What paper do I need?

One sheet of square origami paper (15 cm / 6 in). No scissors or glue are needed.

What is it called in Japanese?

In Japanese it is “つる” (鶴). The word origami (折り紙) itself means “folding paper”: ori = fold, kami = paper.

Can I print the instructions?

Yes. “Print the diagram” puts every step on one page (or a PDF), and the practice sheet has the crease lines printed on the paper. Free for home and classroom use.

★★★Medium Birds & BugsTraditional

How to make an origami CraneつるCrane

The most famous origami in Japan. You will learn the squash fold, petal fold and inside reverse fold.

★★Easy Crane (Easy)★★★Flapping Bird (Medium)★★★Standing Crane (Medium)★★★Flying Crane (Medium)★★★Jumbo Newspaper Crane (Medium)★★★Crane Chopstick Rest (Medium)★★★Crane and Turtle (Medium)★★★★Crane with Spread Wings (Challenge)★★★★Dancing Crane (Challenge)★★★★Nesting Crane with Chick (Challenge)★★★★★Linked Cranes "Imoseyama" (Master)★★★★★Ring of Four Linked Cranes (Master)★★★★★Crane Family (Five Linked Cranes) (Master)

17 steps
about 15 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 7+

How to fold

三角に折る
Fold in half to make a triangle.
さらに半分の三角に折る
Fold in half again.
袋を開いて、四角につぶす
Open the pocket and squash it into a square.
うらがえす
Turn it over.
こちらも袋を開いて、四角につぶす
Squash this side into a square, too.
下のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折りすじをつける
Fold the lower edges to the center line and unfold.
上の三角を折って、折りすじをつける
Fold the top down and unfold.
1まいめを下から持ち上げて、ふちを折りすじで内側へ（花弁折り）
Lift the bottom corner of the top layer and fold the sides in along the creases (petal fold).
うらがえす
Turn it over.
こちらも、下のふちをまん中に合わせて折りすじをつける
Fold the lower edges to the center line and unfold.
こちらも花弁折り（鶴の基本形）
Petal fold this side, too. This is the bird base.
下のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折る
Fold the lower edges to the center line.
うらがえす
Turn it over.
こちらも同じように折る
Do the same on this side.
左の足を、中わり折りで上へ（首になる）
Inside reverse fold the left point up to make the neck.
右の足も、中わり折りで上へ（しっぽになる）
Inside reverse fold the right point up to make the tail.
首の先を中わり折りして、頭をつくる
Inside reverse fold the tip of the neck to make the head.
できあがり！羽を左右にそっと広げたら、折り鶴のできあがり！千羽折ると「千羽鶴」になります。
Finished! Gently spread the wings, and your paper crane is finished!

Fun fact

鶴は「千年生きる」と言われる長生きのシンボル。病気が治るように、平和を願って、千羽鶴を折る習わしがあります。

In Japan, the crane is a symbol of long life. People fold a thousand cranes (senbazuru) to wish for health and peace.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Crane for?: About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 17 steps, and takes about 15 minutes.
What paper do I need?: One sheet of square origami paper (15 cm / 6 in). No scissors or glue are needed.
What is it called in Japanese?: In Japanese it is “つる” (鶴). The word origami (折り紙) itself means “folding paper”: ori = fold, kami = paper.
Can I print the instructions?: Yes. “Print the diagram” puts every step on one page (or a PDF), and the practice sheet has the crease lines printed on the paper. Free for home and classroom use.