How to Make an Easy Origami Turtle
Traditional/Unknow Let’s learn how to fold an origami turtle, a model with a rounded, slightly three-dimensional shape.
The finished turtle has a full shell with clearly defined legs, a small tail, and a tucked head. The proportions give it a stable, grounded look once it’s fully shaped.
This model is beginner-friendly, with a smooth folding sequence and a few steps that are great for practicing swivel and pleat folds.
If you’re just getting started, you can also check out our Beginner’s Guide, where we cover the basic folds and techniques used in many models.
Origami Turtle Step-by-Step Instructions
- Difficulty: Easy – Beginner level 4
- Folding time: 5-10 minutes
Recommended Paper
15×15 cm (6×6 in) Kami. I used marbled paper for the model in the featured picture, but I wouldn’t recommend it, as it’s quite thick and tore a bit.
This tutorial was updated in March 2026 with clearer steps and improved visuals.
Step 1
Start with the white side of the paper facing up. Fold the paper in half vertically, then unfold to create a centerline.
Step 2
Turn the paper over.
Step 3
Fold the bottom left and right corners to the centerline.
Step 4
Turn the paper over.
Step 5
On each side, fold the bottom edge to the centerline, only through the top layer. The bottom layer will move to the front.
Step 6
Rotate the paper 180°.
Step 7
Fold the bottom left corner to the centerline. Make sure the circled points meet.
Step 8
Fold the top flap down along the dashed line.
🐢 Folding tip: Look at the dots on the diagram. They show where the flap should fold. You can also check the next diagram to see how the result should look.
Step 9
Repeat Steps 7 and 8 on the right side.
Step 10
Fold the white square area in half from top to bottom along the horizontal diagonal.
Step 11
Fold the flap you just folded up. Use the circled points as a guide. The top flap should meet the two points where the lower layers meet.
Step 12
Fold the bottom right edge to meet the top edge. Crease well, then unfold.
Step 13
Make a swivel fold as shown. Lift the top layer, fold along the crease from Step 12, adjust the layers, then flatten.
🐢 Folding tip: Here, we are shaping the left side of the turtle’s head. You can adjust the vertical crease angle to your liking.
Step 14
Repeat Steps 12 and 13 on the left side.
Step 15
Pleat fold the bottom corner to form the turtle’s tail.
🐢 Folding tip: This step shapes the tail and adds a 3D form to the shell. I like to start with the mountain fold by pinching the paper along the dashed line. If this step feels tricky, you can watch the video to see how I do it.
Step 16
Turn the model over.
Step 17
Mountain fold the shell’s left and right corners to round the shell. There are no exact reference points, so adjust the angles to your liking. Try to fold both sides symmetrically.
Step 18
Pleat fold the tail to shorten it and lock the bottom layers.
🐢 Folding tip: Turn the model over to pleat the tail and fold it twice, in and out. It is easier this way.
Step 19
Narrow the legs to add shape and volume.
🐢 Folding tip: You can also pleat the front legs to shorten them and add more volume to your model.
Turtley Done! Your Origami Turtle Is Complete 🎉
🐢 Folding tip: I also like to pleat the head slightly to shorten it and add more volume. It makes the turtle look like it is hiding its head.
I hope you enjoyed folding this origami turtle. It’s a satisfying model, especially once the shell takes shape and the legs and head come together.
If you fold one, feel free to share a photo in the comments. It’s always interesting to see how different papers and sizes change the final look.
If you’d like to keep folding, you can explore more easy origami tutorials or browse other origami animals on the site.
You can also get new tutorials and folding ideas in our newsletter here. And if you prefer video instructions, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Download the Full Origami Turtle Printable PDF
Instructions
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Watch the Origami Turtle Video Tutorial
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mine was easy
Mine is the besterest. good tutorial, thanks👍😎🙂🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢
Hi Cindy, It’s looking great indeed! Thanks for sharing!
same as my
looks good i think
Nicely folded! Well done 🙂
It’s so cool and like I made mine blue it matches well You should try it out too. 😀
Well done, Tom! Thank you for sharing it with us 🙂
Step 11 I found to be really confusing, especially since there’s already a crease in the video. Not the end of the world though, my turtle just has a more symmetrical tail 🙂 otherwise very fun design
Hi! Thanks for your feedback. I totally see how the pre-creased step could be confusing. We’ll be posting a new video for this model on our YouTube channel soon, and we’ll also update this post to make it clearer.
It is very difficult and almost found myself quitting but I didn’t and I finished it
hi do I need 2 pieces of paper
Hi Marianny, only one paper sheet for this one.
I’m tried making it but its challenging and I like it a lot and I gave it a name to its called cuteie
yes it is challenging
I had to do this turle 4 times over again because I kept messing up by making a “square” XD
But over all it’s COMPLETLY worth it and I absolutely LOVE IT SO MUCH!
I even named HIM Jeremy Jr. And gae him a tiny tiny little hat :’)
nice
it’s ok but it’s not really origami if you use scissors and it’s a bit flat it should be a bit more 3D
I think I’m blind but I don’t see the scissors section
You’re right. There is none. We’ve updated the tutorial, and it now shows another model. But let’s keep in mind that when it comes to traditional origami, there’s really no rule against using scissors or glue. It’s a personal choice.
Thx, I liked this, but isn’t it technically not origami if you use scissors?
Yes, it is technically called kirigami I believe, but still cool turtle.
We’ve added a new diagram to the page that doesn’t require the use of scissors. However, it’s worth mentioning that scissors are perfectly fine to use in origami and have been used in traditional models for a long time. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference!
Yellow turtle friend
Now keeps me company while
I sip my green tea
Had a lot of fun learning something new this morning. Glad to have put a few wrinkles in my brain as well as some paper. Thanks!
me to