Basic Origami Folds: Valley, Mountain and a First Model
The two basic origami folds are the valley fold, which closes the paper towards you, and the mountain fold, which closes it away from you.
- Time:
- 45 min
- Cost:
- low
- Difficulty:
- moderate
- Where:
- Indoors
- Best:
- Solo
The two basic origami folds are the valley fold, which closes the paper towards you, and the mountain fold, which closes it away from you. Start with a square sheet and practise matching edges before pressing a crease. Learn one simple model from a clear diagram rather than rushing through many folds.
Practise the folds and a simple base
Fold a square in half to make a rectangle, unfold it, then fold corner to corner to make a triangle. These practise straight and diagonal creases. A valley crease looks like a V from the side; turning the paper over makes that same crease a mountain. Keep edges aligned before firming the fold.
To explore a kite base, rotate the square so a corner points up, make a vertical diagonal crease, then bring the two upper side edges to that centre line. Unfold and try again if the paper twists. Larger paper is often easier for a beginner; scrap paper works for practice if it folds cleanly.
Why do some origami is worth an hour
Most traditional models begin from one of a handful of standard starting shapes called bases. Learning two of them means a large portion of the classic repertoire opens up at once, because you are then only learning the last few steps of each model rather than the whole thing. That is why experienced folders can attempt an unfamiliar diagram confidently.
How to do some origami step by step
- 1
Use proper square paper
Thin and precisely square. Ordinary paper is too thick for many-layered models and rarely square enough.
- 2
Crease with a fingernail
Sharp creases are what let later folds land accurately. A soft crease introduces error into every subsequent step.
- 3
Learn the bird base
It underlies the crane and a great many traditional models. Learning it once unlocks dozens of designs.
- 4
Match landmarks exactly
Corner to corner, edge to crease. Small misalignments compound and are why a model will not close at the end.
- 5
Fold the same model three times
The third attempt is where it clicks. First attempts are transcription rather than folding.
Tips to get more out of it
- Work on a hard flat surface. Folding on a carpet or your lap guarantees imprecise creases.
- Video instructions beat diagrams for beginners, since diagram conventions take time to learn.
- If a step will not work, check two steps back. The error is almost never where you noticed it.
Ways to mix it up
If traditional models frustrate you, modular origami builds larger shapes from many identical simple units, which suits people who prefer repetition to sequence. If you enjoy the geometry, tessellations are a completely different branch that rewards precision even more heavily.
For more ideas, browse creative activities.
Another activity to try is learn basic calligraphy.
Do some origami: frequently asked questions
What is an origami base?
A base is a standard folded starting shape used in several models. A kite base is one example. Learn the crease directions and paper orientation before moving on to more complicated models.
What paper is best for origami?
Thin, precisely square paper. Ordinary printer paper is too thick for models with many layers and is rarely truly square.
Why will my model not close at the end?
Accumulated small misalignments earlier in the sequence. Check your landmarks two or three steps before the failure.
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