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The classic dart

One more corner fold makes a narrower shape.

Easy · 7 picture steps

You need one A4 sheet of ordinary printer paper and a ruler. No scissors needed.

Download folding guide as PDF

Watch the slow folding animation →

Let’s fold

  1. Step 1

    Centre crease

    1. Before
    Before: Centre crease
    2. Fold
    Fold: Centre crease
    3. After
    After: Centre crease

    Fold, press flat, then reopen.

    Place A4 upright. Fold lengthwise in half and reopen.

  2. Step 2

    First corners

    1. Before
    Before: First corners
    2. Fold
    Fold: First corners
    3. After
    After: First corners

    Fold the top corners to the centre crease.

  3. Step 3

    Make it narrower

    1. Before
    Before: Make it narrower
    2. Fold
    Fold: Make it narrower
    3. After
    After: Make it narrower

    Fold both sloping outside edges to the centre crease again.

  4. Step 4

    Close the body

    1. Before
    Before: Close the body
    2. Fold
    Fold: Close the body
    3. After
    After: Close the body

    Close lengthwise, keeping the earlier folds inside.

  5. Step 5

    One wing

    1. Before
    Before: One wing
    2. Fold
    Fold: One wingGrip: 2 cm
    3. After
    After: One wing

    Only the top wing is folded. The second wing is still unfolded underneath.

    At the bottom, measure 2 cm out from the closed centre fold. Fold the upper half, including all its paper layers, down along a parallel line. The narrow strip stays as the grip.

  6. Step 6

    Other side

    1. Before
    Before: Other side
    2. Fold
    Fold: Other sideGrip: 2 cm
    3. After
    After: Other side

    Turn over first: the unfolded side faces up. The first wing stays underneath.

    Turn the paper over like a book page and fold a matching second wing.

  7. Step 7

    Ready to launch

    1. Before
    After: Other side
    2. Open
    After: Other side
    3. After
    After

    Open both wings; keep the narrow grip closed.

    Open the wings slightly upward. Launch gently.

Help with folding

Upright means the short edges are at the top and bottom. The centre crease is the long fold in the middle. The grip is the narrow part underneath the wings. Measure it sideways from the closed centre fold. Parallel means the new line stays the same distance from the centre fold all the way along. Press creases flat with your finger.

Folding principle checked against: Fold ’N Fly: Basic Dart. Our own simplified drawings and text.

Compare three flights →