The Bird

The birdlike wings give this fast flying paper airplane a lot of stability during flight.

The Bird Thumbnail

The Bird

The birdlike wings give this fast flying paper airplane a lot of stability during flight.

This is a very reliable distance flier. We've given precise measurements below, but feel free to experiment with the wings.

Folding Difficulty Hard difficulty Number of Folds 14 folds Paper Sizes Letter & A4 Paper Hashtags Distance Distance Flown 46.1 ft / 14 m

Explaination of Distance Flown Average Distance
Thrown by a 10yr old
Time Aloft 2.2 sec Explaination of Time Aloft Average Time Aloft
Thrown by a 10yr old
Your Rating: Sign in to rate Step by Step Folding Instructions
Steps Instructions Video Tutorial
Video Guide Printable Instructions
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Paper Airplane Airplane Folding Instructions

Step 1

1. Fold the top right corner diagonally down to the other side.

Step 1

Fold the top right corner diagonally down to the other side.

Step 1 Detail

Step 2

2. Open the paper back up and repeat with the other side.

Step 2

Open the paper back up and repeat with the other side.

Step 2 Detail

Step 3

3. Now fold the top down and line the crease up with the center part of the X shape.

Step 3

Now fold the top down and line the crease up with the center part of the X shape.

<a href=Step 3 Detail" width="600" height="780" />

Step 4

4. Unfold and flatten the paper out.

Step 4

Unfold and flatten the paper out.

Step 4 Detail

Step 5

5. Next, fold the top edge down so it meets the first horizontal crease.

Step 5

Next, fold the top edge down so it meets the first horizontal crease.

Step 5 Detail

Step 6

6. Fold the top section down again along the horizontal crease.

Step 6

Fold the top section down again along the horizontal crease.

Step 6 Detail

Step 7

7. Fold the top outer edge so it meets the diagonal crease and then repeat with the other side.

Step 7

Fold the top outer edge so it meets the diagonal crease and then repeat with the other side.

Step 7 Detail

Step 8

8. Fold the top edges along the diagonal lines to create the point of the plane.

Step 8

Fold the top edges along the diagonal lines to create the point of the plane.

Step 8 Detail

Step 9

9. Next, fold the point down as shown.

Step 9

Next, fold the point down as shown.

Step 9 Detail

Step 10

10. At the top edge of the plane, measure 1.6cm from the center to the left and right. Then, measure 2.5cm (1 inch) from the bottom center and connect the points.

Step 10

At the top edge of the plane, measure 1.6cm from the center to the left and right. Then, measure 2.5cm (1 inch) from the bottom center and connect the points.

Step 10 Detail

Step 11

11. Fold the airplane in half and then fold along those measured lines. Use our printable instructions if you don't want to measure.

Step 11

Fold the airplane in half and then fold along those measured lines. Use our printable instructions if you don't want to measure.

Step 11 Detail

Step 12

12. Measure 3.1cm from the top outer corner and then 3.1cm again from that point. Measure 2.5cm (1 inch) from the bottom of the vertical line and again from that point.

Step 12

Measure 3.1cm from the top outer corner and then 3.1cm again from that point. Measure 2.5cm (1 inch) from the bottom of the vertical line and again from that point.

Step 12 Detail

Step 13

13. Fold along the lines, alternating the direction of each fold to get an accordion shape.

Step 13

Fold along the lines, alternating the direction of each fold to get an accordion shape.

Step 13 Detail

Step 14

14. Finally, tape the nose of the paper plane together.

Step 14

Finally, tape the nose of the paper plane together.

Step 14 Detail

Final Paper Airplane Design

The Bird

Looking head on, adjust the wings until they look symmetrical, then throw it hard at a slight upwards angle to see how fast and far it can go.

Video Tutorial
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Video Instructions

Printable Folding Instructions

These beautiful, easy to follow, paper airplane folding instructions can be downloaded and printed as many times as you want. Simply follow the printed instructions and fold along the indicated lines to make a perfect paper airplane, every time.