Just Fold Paper

Choose a color theme

Fold only

Origami Shorts

Two separated trouser legs with folded cuffs and waistband. Make a small paper model with measured folds and a complete illustrated guide.

Preparation + 13 numbered steps

Materials

6-inch square · 6 × 6 inches

One 6 × 6-inch square (15.24 × 15.24 cm) of thin paper, a ruler and a pencil. Contrasting paper sides help show hems. No scissors or glue.

Start the interactive guide ↓
Read all illustrated steps ↓Download PDF ↓ · one-page illustrated guide
Origami Shorts: two separated trouser legs with folded cuffs and waistband
Two separated trouser legs with folded cuffs and waistband

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 paper colors. Darker shades show the reverse. Orange highlights the moving packet 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 paper colors. Darker shades show the reverse. Orange highlights the moving packet and its hinge.

  1. 0. Prepare the square
  2. 1. Crease the vertical center
  3. 2. Open the sheet
  4. 3. Crease the horizontal center
  5. 4. Open the square again
  6. 5. Mark the right quarter
  7. 6. Open the right quarter
  8. 7. Mark the left quarter
  9. 8. Open the left quarter
  10. 9. Fold the cuff behind
  11. 10. Fold the right leg inward
  12. 11. Fold the left leg inward
  13. 12. Lower the top half behind
  14. 13. Fold the waistband
  1. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldPrepare the square

    PREPARATION · Linked Origami Club diagram; measured adaptation

    Prepare the square

    Place the intended shorts color up, with the lower edge horizontal.

    Layers: One flat square.

    Check: Use contrasting sides for visible cuffs.

    Explore this step ↑
  2. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldCrease the vertical center

    STEP 1 · Linked Origami Club diagram; measured adaptation

    Crease the vertical center

    Bring the right edge to the left edge and press.

    Layers: Move the entire right half.

    Check: The side edges meet.

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

    STEP 2 · Linked Origami Club diagram; measured adaptation

    Open the sheet

    Return the folded half completely to the table.

    Layers: Open the same half.

    Check: The center crease remains.

    Explore this step ↑
  4. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldCrease the horizontal center

    STEP 3 · Linked Origami Club diagram; measured adaptation

    Crease the horizontal center

    Bring the lower edge to the top edge.

    Layers: Move the whole lower half.

    Check: The edges coincide.

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

    STEP 4 · Linked Origami Club diagram; measured adaptation

    Open the square again

    Unfold completely.

    Layers: Open the lower half.

    Check: Both center creases remain.

    Explore this step ↑
  6. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldMark the right quarter

    STEP 5 · Linked Origami Club diagram; measured adaptation

    Mark the right quarter

    Bring the right edge to the center crease.

    Layers: Move the outer right quarter.

    Check: Its free edge rests on the middle.

    Explore this step ↑
  7. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldOpen the right quarter

    STEP 6 · Linked Origami Club diagram; measured adaptation

    Open the right quarter

    Unfold the side.

    Layers: Open the same quarter.

    Check: A guide crease remains.

    Explore this step ↑
  8. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldMark the left quarter

    STEP 7 · Linked Origami Club diagram; measured adaptation

    Mark the left quarter

    Bring the left edge to the center.

    Layers: Move the outer left quarter.

    Check: Both quarter guides match.

    Explore this step ↑
  9. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldOpen the left quarter

    STEP 8 · Linked Origami Club diagram; measured adaptation

    Open the left quarter

    Unfold the side completely.

    Layers: Open the same quarter.

    Check: The square is flat again.

    Explore this step ↑
  10. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldFold the cuff behind

    STEP 9 · Linked Origami Club diagram; measured adaptation

    Fold the cuff behind

    Fold a 0.30-inch strip along the bottom edge to the back.

    Layers: Move the entire lower strip.

    Check: The cuff is on the reverse.

    Explore this step ↑
  11. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldFold the right leg inward

    STEP 10 · Linked Origami Club diagram; measured adaptation

    Fold the right leg inward

    At the top mark 1.45 inches right of center; at the bottom mark 1.65 inches right of center. Fold inward on the line joining them.

    Layers: Carry the right side and its attached cuff.

    Check: The lower free edge stops right of center.

    Explore this step ↑
  12. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldFold the left leg inward

    STEP 11 · Linked Origami Club diagram; measured adaptation

    Fold the left leg inward

    Mirror the sloping fold on the left.

    Layers: Carry the complete left side, including its cuff.

    Check: A narrow gap separates the lower legs.

    Explore this step ↑
  13. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldLower the top half behind

    STEP 12 · Linked Origami Club diagram; measured adaptation

    Lower the top half behind

    Fold the upper half away from you on a line 0.15 inches above the horizontal center crease. This offset keeps its lower edge behind the cuffs.

    Layers: Carry every layer above the new crease.

    Check: The shorts are about half as tall; cuffs remain visible.

    Explore this step ↑
  14. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldFold the waistband

    STEP 13 · Linked Origami Club diagram; measured adaptation

    Fold the waistband

    Fold the top 0.35-inch band down toward you. Press flat.

    Layers: Move all layers in the top band.

    Check: A straight waistband joins the two cuffed leg panels.

    Explore this step ↑
Sources & notes

Origami Club; diagram credited to Fumiaki Shingu, Origami Club: Origami Shorts (web diagram).

Construction diagram ↗ · Reference model ↗

The reference diagram bears a Fumiaki Shingu copyright credit. This does not establish that the design is traditional or grant a reuse license. No reference text, drawings, photographs or animation are reproduced. These English instructions, measured geometry and rendered diagrams are original.

Adaptation: Uses the Short Pants diagram. Quarter guide creases are taught separately; side hinges are slightly splayed to leave distinct legs. Exact cuff, splay and waistband dimensions are authored. The final folded waistband is shown explicitly. Flat miniature clothing, not wearable shorts.

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. One uncut square is carried through rigid-axis folds with persistent material coordinates. Shaping dimensions are authored landmarks rather than measurements claimed from the reference. Zero-thickness teaching geometry does not certify paper contact or physical foldability. Real-paper folding and wearable fit have not been tested.