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A4 · 210 × 297 MM · 7 FOLDS

Paper Dart

Fold a classic dart from one sheet of A4. Scroll, and the paper beside the instructions folds along with you. Lines on each step use standard origami notation.

Valley foldUnfoldMountain fold
Scroll to fold ↓
STEP 01

Crease the centre line

Valley foldUnfold

Lay the sheet coloured side down, short edge at the top. Fold it in half lengthwise, right edge onto left, run a fingernail down the fold, then open it flat again. Every later fold lines up on this crease.

STEP 02

Top-left corner to centre

Valley fold

Bring the top-left corner down so the top edge lies along the centre crease. On A4 the tip lands 105 mm below the top edge.

STEP 03

Top-right corner to centre

Valley fold

Repeat on the right. The two flaps meet edge to edge on the crease and form a point at the top.

STEP 04

Left edge to centre again

Valley fold

Fold the new slanted left edge onto the centre crease. This narrows the nose and stacks more paper up front, which moves the balance point forward.

STEP 05

Right edge to centre again

Valley fold

Repeat on the right. Keep the point at the top sharp; a blunt nose makes the dart wobble.

STEP 06

Fold in half

Valley fold

Fold the left half over onto the right along the centre crease, keeping all the flaps on the inside.

STEP 07

Fold the wings down

Valley foldMountain fold

About 23 mm up from the bottom of the body, fold the top wing outwards, then turn over and fold the other wing to match. Open both until they sit level, with the keel hanging below.

DONE

Throw it

Pinch the keel just behind the middle and throw level with a gentle push. If it dives, bend the back edges of both wings up by a millimetre or two. If it climbs and stalls, flatten them again.

About the paper dart

The dart is the paper aeroplane most people learn first, and for good reason: it needs one sheet, no cuts and a couple of minutes. Its long, narrow body and swept wings trade gliding time for speed, so it flies fast and straight rather than floating.

Most of the paper ends up in the nose. The two rounds of corner folds stack layer on layer at the front, which moves the centre of gravity forward. That forward weight is what keeps the dart stable: a plane that is heavier at the back pitches up, stalls and drops.

Because the design is so simple, small differences in folding show up straight away in flight. A dart with crisp, symmetrical creases flies noticeably better than a soft one, which makes it a good model for learning to fold accurately.

Tips and troubleshooting

  • If it veers to one side, check that both wings are the same size and sit at the same angle. Bending the back edge of one wing up slightly turns the plane towards that side.
  • If it dives into the floor, curl the back edges of both wings up by a millimetre or two. This lifts the nose.
  • If it climbs, stalls and falls, the back edges are bent up too far or the throw is too hard. Flatten them and throw level.
  • Run a fingernail or the edge of a ruler along every crease. Soft folds let the wings flex and the plane wanders.
  • Hold the keel just behind the balance point. Gripping too far back makes a clean release harder.

Common questions

What paper works best for a paper dart?

Ordinary 80 gsm printer paper is ideal. Thicker paper holds its shape but is heavier and harder to fold sharply; thinner paper flies well indoors but bends in a breeze.

Can I use US letter paper instead of A4?

Yes. Letter paper is slightly wider and shorter, so the nose ends up a little blunter, but every step works the same way.

How do I make it fly further?

Fold as precisely as you can, keep the wings level and throw with a smooth push slightly upwards rather than a hard flick. Outdoors, throw with the wind behind you.

Traditional. Instructions and diagrams written for this site.