Just Fold Paper

Choose a color theme

Fold only

Origami Ladybug

Two folded wing covers and a small raised head. Follow every fold, compare the front and back, and finish a small flat paper decoration.

Preparation + 11 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 the marked shaping folds; optional pen for decoration. No scissors or glue.

Start the interactive guide ↓
Read all illustrated steps ↓Download PDF ↓ · one-page illustrated guide
Origami Ladybug: two folded wing covers and a small raised head
Two folded wing covers and a small raised head

Follow along

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 identify the original left and right halves, not the literal colors of your paper. 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 identify the original left and right halves, not the literal colors of your paper. Darker shades show the reverse. Orange marks moving paper and its hinge.

  1. 0. Prepare the diamond
  2. 1. Make a triangle
  3. 2. Mark the center
  4. 3. Reopen the triangle
  5. 4. Lower the right wing
  6. 5. Lower the left wing
  7. 6. Turn to the back
  8. 7. Fold the head down
  9. 8. Return the head tip
  10. 9. Return to the front
  11. 10. Round the right side
  12. 11. Round the left side
  1. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldPrepare the diamond

    PREPARATION · Source-linked flat decoration

    Prepare the diamond

    Place a square with the intended wing color facing down and a point at the top.

    Layers: One uncut sheet.

    Check: The diagonal is vertical.

    Explore this step ↑
  2. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldMake a triangle

    STEP 1 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Make a triangle

    Bring the top point down to the bottom point.

    Layers: Fold the upper half over the lower half.

    Check: The long closed edge is at the top.

    Explore this step ↑
  3. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldMark the center

    STEP 2 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Mark the center

    Bring the right point to the left point.

    Layers: Move both layers together.

    Check: The side points coincide.

    Explore this step ↑
  4. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldReopen the triangle

    STEP 3 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Reopen the triangle

    Return both layers to the broad triangle.

    Layers: Open the same complete packet.

    Check: A vertical crease runs down the middle.

    Explore this step ↑
  5. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldLower the right wing

    STEP 4 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Lower the right wing

    Swing the right point down, keeping the top midpoint fixed. Set the tip 0.85 inches right of the center line and about 4.16 inches below the top edge.

    Layers: Carry both layers of the right corner.

    Check: The tip remains just to the right of the bottom point.

    Explore this step ↑
  6. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldLower the left wing

    STEP 5 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Lower the left wing

    Mirror the fold, setting the left tip 0.85 inches left of the center line at the same height.

    Layers: Carry both layers of the left corner.

    Check: The wing tips remain separated.

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

    STEP 6 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Turn to the back

    Turn the entire triangle over from side to side.

    Layers: Turn every layer together.

    Check: The wing covers are underneath.

    Explore this step ↑
  8. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldFold the head down

    STEP 7 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Fold the head down

    Fold the top point down along a horizontal line 0.76 inches below it.

    Layers: Move the complete upper packet.

    Check: The folded point reaches 1.53 inches below its original position.

    Explore this step ↑
  9. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldReturn the head tip

    STEP 8 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Return the head tip

    Fold that tip upward along a horizontal line 1.02 inches below the original top point.

    Layers: Move only the lowered head packet.

    Check: A short point projects above the head crease.

    Explore this step ↑
  10. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldReturn to the front

    STEP 9 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Return to the front

    Turn the complete model back over.

    Layers: Turn all layers together.

    Check: Two wing covers face you below the little head.

    Explore this step ↑
  11. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldRound the right side

    STEP 10 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Round the right side

    Fold the outermost right edge behind along a vertical line 1.95 inches right of the center.

    Layers: Carry every layer in the narrow corner.

    Check: The right shoulder has a short straight side.

    Explore this step ↑
  12. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldRound the left side

    STEP 11 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Round the left side

    Repeat 1.95 inches left of center. Optionally draw black spots and color the small head.

    Layers: Move the complete left corner behind.

    Check: The two wing tips and small head remain visible.

    Explore this step ↑
Sources & notes

Traditional model family; photographic tutorial by Origami Guide, Origami Guide: Origami Ladybug (web tutorial).

Reference photographs and instructions ↗ · Reference continuation: head and finishing folds ↗ · Source attribution and copyright information ↗

Origami Guide labels the reference Traditional. That attribution is separate from rights in its photographs and text. No reference photographs, diagrams or prose are reproduced here. These instructions, geometry and drawings are original; no project-wide reuse license is implied.

Adaptation: Uses both source pages. The free wing angle is fixed so each original side point ends 0.85 inches from the center. The head pleat and side-rounding folds have measured landmarks. Optional spots are drawn by the learner, not extra paper geometry.

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. Rigid-axis teaching folds retain the material coordinates of one uncut square. Exact shaping landmarks are authored adaptations. Zero-thickness diagrams do not simulate paper thickness or prove physical foldability. Real-paper folding has not been tested.