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Flat Origami Crab

Two raised claws above a broad body and folded legs. Follow the complete folding sequence, then add the optional drawn details for a flat ocean scene.

Preparation + 15 numbered steps

Materials

6-inch square · 6 × 6 inches

One 6 × 6-inch square (15.24 × 15.24 cm) of thin origami paper. Ruler and pencil for measured folds; optional pen for the face. No scissors or glue.

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Read all illustrated steps ↓Download PDF ↓ · one-page illustrated guide
Flat Origami Crab: Two raised claws above a broad body and folded legs
Two raised claws above a broad body and folded legs

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Preparation

The interactive guide needs JavaScript. Read every illustrated step below.

Camera only; does not change the fold.
Help · controls & diagram

Play or drag the progress slider to watch a fold from 0% to 100%. Use the view buttons or drag the diagram to look from another angle.

Blue and gold track the original left and right halves of the sheet, not literal paper colors. Darker shades show the reverse. Orange marks moving paper and its hinge.

With the diagram focused: Space plays or pauses, ←/→ change steps, and Home resets.

Every step, at a glance

Compare your paper with each diagram after completing the action. Blue and gold track the original left and right halves of the sheet, not literal paper colors. Darker shades show the reverse. Orange marks moving paper and its hinge.

  1. 0. Prepare the square
  2. 1. Crease the first diagonal
  3. 2. Open the square
  4. 3. Crease the other diagonal
  5. 4. Open again
  6. 5. Crease across the middle
  7. 6. Reopen the middle fold
  8. 7. Close the triangle base
  9. 8. Point the triangle downward
  10. 9. Raise the right claw
  11. 10. Raise the left claw
  12. 11. Turn to the back
  13. 12. Shorten the body
  14. 13. Lower the right leg
  15. 14. Lower the left leg
  16. 15. Show the finished crab
  1. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldPrepare the square

    PREPARATION · Triangle-base preparation for Crab 2

    Prepare the square

    Place the square with horizontal top and bottom edges, intended color face down.

    Layers: One uncut square.

    Check: All four sides measure 6 inches.

    Explore this step ↑
  2. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldCrease the first diagonal

    STEP 1 · Triangle-base preparation for Crab 2

    Crease the first diagonal

    Bring the top-left corner to the bottom-right corner; press the diagonal.

    Layers: Fold one half of the sheet.

    Check: Opposite corners and edges match.

    Explore this step ↑
  3. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldOpen the square

    STEP 2 · Triangle-base preparation for Crab 2

    Open the square

    Unfold the diagonal completely.

    Layers: Return the entire folded half.

    Check: The square lies flat.

    Explore this step ↑
  4. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldCrease the other diagonal

    STEP 3 · Triangle-base preparation for Crab 2

    Crease the other diagonal

    Bring the top-right corner to the bottom-left corner and crease.

    Layers: Move the other diagonal half.

    Check: The new crease crosses the first at the center.

    Explore this step ↑
  5. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldOpen again

    STEP 4 · Triangle-base preparation for Crab 2

    Open again

    Unfold completely to reveal both diagonals.

    Layers: Open the whole packet.

    Check: An X joins all four corners.

    Explore this step ↑
  6. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldCrease across the middle

    STEP 5 · Triangle-base preparation for Crab 2

    Crease across the middle

    Fold the top edge behind the paper to meet the bottom edge. Press the horizontal middle crease.

    Layers: Move the full upper half away from you.

    Check: The horizontal crease bends opposite to the diagonals.

    Explore this step ↑
  7. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldReopen the middle fold

    STEP 6 · Triangle-base preparation for Crab 2

    Reopen the middle fold

    Open the sheet fully without reversing the crease direction.

    Layers: Move the entire upper half back.

    Check: The square has two diagonal creases and one horizontal crease.

    Explore this step ↑
  8. CLOSE ALONG THE PRECREASESOriginal left: blue · right: goldClose the triangle base

    STEP 7 · Triangle-base preparation for Crab 2

    Close the triangle base

    Push the left and right middle-edge points inward while bringing the top edge down to the bottom edge. Flatten the two triangular faces.

    Layers: The two side pockets fold between the broad front and back triangles; keep every layer connected.

    Check: A 6-inch base lies below a centered apex 3 inches high.

    Explore this step ↑
  9. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldPoint the triangle downward

    STEP 8 · Origami Club sea creature diagram

    Point the triangle downward

    Rotate the whole triangle half a turn on the table.

    Layers: Move every layer without folding.

    Check: The long closed edge is at the top and the apex points down.

    Explore this step ↑
  10. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldRaise the right claw

    STEP 9 · Origami Club sea creature diagram

    Raise the right claw

    On the upper edge, mark a point 1.5 inches right of center. Fold the right front corner forward on the line joining this mark to the bottom apex.

    Layers: Move the front triangle and its attached inner right layer. Leave the rear triangle flat.

    Check: A narrow claw projects above the top edge.

    Explore this step ↑
  11. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldRaise the left claw

    STEP 10 · Origami Club sea creature diagram

    Raise the left claw

    Repeat on the left, using the mark 1.5 inches left of center and the same lower apex.

    Layers: Move the matching front corner and its attached inner layer only.

    Check: Two separated claws stand above the top edge.

    Explore this step ↑
  12. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldTurn to the back

    STEP 11 · Origami Club sea creature diagram

    Turn to the back

    Turn the entire model over from side to side.

    Layers: Carry both claws with the body.

    Check: The plain rear triangle faces you.

    Explore this step ↑
  13. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldShorten the body

    STEP 12 · Origami Club sea creature diagram

    Shorten the body

    Fold the downward point up along a horizontal line 1.5 inches below the top edge.

    Layers: Move all layers below the line.

    Check: The point reaches the middle of the top edge.

    Explore this step ↑
  14. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldLower the right leg

    STEP 13 · Origami Club sea creature diagram

    Lower the right leg

    On the right sloping edge, mark a point 2 inches right and 1 inch below the top midpoint. Fold the right front corner down on the line from the top midpoint to this mark.

    Layers: Move the front base packet and its attached inner layer, leaving the claws still.

    Check: A pointed leg projects below the right side.

    Explore this step ↑
  15. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldLower the left leg

    STEP 14 · Origami Club sea creature diagram

    Lower the left leg

    Mirror the leg fold using the matching point 2 inches left and 1 inch below the top midpoint.

    Layers: Move the matching front base packet only.

    Check: Both legs extend below the shortened body.

    Explore this step ↑
  16. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldShow the finished crab

    STEP 15 · Origami Club sea creature diagram

    Show the finished crab

    Turn the whole model over. Add two optional eyes near the outer ends of the top body edge.

    Layers: Turn all layers, keeping claws and legs attached.

    Check: Two claws rise above the body and two folded leg points extend below.

    Explore this step ↑
Sources & notes

Origami Club; diagram copyright Fumiaki Shingu, Origami Club: Flat Origami Crab (undated web diagram).

Complete reference diagram ↗

The reference diagram credits Fumiaki Shingu. That credit does not establish a design-reuse license or traditional attribution. Source diagrams and text remain separately protected. These English instructions, material geometry, illustrations and PDF are original; no reference assets or code are included.

Adaptation: Uses the Crab 2 reference triangle base, claws, shortened body and separate leg packets. The two squash folds are replaced by a connected precreased triangle-base collapse. For this flat-display adaptation, the claw packets swing forward on ordinary folds instead of the reference’s inside folds. Claw and leg angles are fixed ruler landmarks. It is a stylized four-point icon, not an eight-legged anatomical model.

Original instructions and diagrams, made with AI assistance. About & reuse

Accuracy notes

Real-paper follow-along and paper weight have not been tested. Diagrams illustrate the sequence, not paper thickness, contact, collisions or exact layer visibility.