How to make an easy origami duck
All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more.

How to make an easy origami duck

Make this beautiful origami duck following our step-by-step origami tutorial! Grab a piece of 15 x 15cm paper and fold your own origami duck.

Try our magazines – get 6 issues from just £9.99!

Published: July 17, 2023 at 7:00 am

Learn how to make an origami duck with our easy-to-follow step-by-step photo tutorial! This easy origami model captures a duck as he’s splashing around in the pond, or, if you prefer, fold the wings down so that he’s swimming around peacefully, without a care in the world. This model will actually float on water, too!

We have plenty of other bird origami tutorials too, if you want to try something different.

What do I need to create an origami duck?

You really only need some origami paper and your hands! (And our easy tutorial of course). This project works well with double-sided origami paper, with a different colour or pattern on each side. This means when you fold, using our tutorial below, you will showcase both sides of the origami paper.


Buy some beautiful origami paper!

Buy now: £5.63, Amazon

This origami paper pack features eight different bird prints reproduced from Japanese woodblocks in the ukiyo-e style of art, each with a coordinating solid colour on the reverse. The paper is slightly larger, 20 x 20cm, so you can use it for more complicated designs, too. The bird illustrations are gorgeous, and although you only get 48 sheets in a pack, we think it's worth the money - just look at the mandarin ducks!

Bird themed origami paper

How to make an origami duck

How to make an origami duck - completed origami duck, image 2
How to make an origami duck - completed origami duck, image 3

You will need:

  • Origami paper

Step 1

Start with a 15 x 15cm piece of square paper. For the purpose of this tutorial, we are using a double-sided sheet of paper which is orange on one side and yellow on the other. Fold in half along the diagonal.

How to make an origami duck – step 1d

Step 2

Fold one side of the paper up, leaving a 15mm (1.5cm) pleat at the top.

How to make an origami duck – step 2

Step 3

Fold the paper in half along the vertical and re-open.

How to make an origami duck – step 3a How to make an origami duck – step 3b

Step 4

Fold one side down to meet the vertical crease you just made in the previous step.

How to make an origami duck – step 4

Step 5

Fold the tip up as shown.

How to make an origami duck – step 5

Step 6

Repeat for the other side – fold the other side down to meet the vertical crease.

How to make an origami duck – step 6

Step 7

Fold the tip up to mirror the other side.

How to make an origami duck – step 7

Step 8

Turn the model over. Fold a small triangle down at the top (about 2cm).

How to make an origami duck – step 8a How to make an origami duck – step 8b

Step 9

Fold the tip of the triangle up again, making a small pleat. This will be the duck’s beak! This bit may be a little fiddly due to the small size of the beak, so using a cocktail stick may help.

How to make an origami duck – step 9

Step 10

Fold the model in half. Rotate the model 90 degrees anti-clockwise.

How to make an origami duck – step 10a How to make an origami duck – step 10b

Step 11

Fold the two wings either side up – you can fold them down again later, but we need the wings out the way to make the neck in the next step.

How to make an origami duck - step 11a How to make an origami duck - step 11b

Step 12

Fold the neck up so that it sits at a 90-degree angle to the body. Open the model up as you fold the neck up, so that there is a piece of neck either side of the body. This is called an outside reverse fold.

How to make an origami duck - step 12b

Step 13

Fold the points on the bottom of your origami duck inwards. This will allow your duck to sit up by itself (or float if you decide to put it in water!).

How to make an origami duck - step 13a How to make an origami duck - step 13b

Step 14

Fold the head down, using another outside reverse fold, so that it is positioned at a 90-degree angle to the neck. The two sides of the head should sit either side of the head.

How to make an origami duck - step 14

Step 15

Manipulate the beak so that it points upwards. To do this, gently pull it into position, then crisp the creases using a bone folder or ruler.

How to make an origami duck - step 15

Step 16

Fold the tail down, so that it lines up with the edge of the wing.

How to make an origami duck - step 16

Step 17

Open up the tail to reveal a square-diamond shape.

How to make an origami duck - step 17

Step 18

Fold the bottom of this square diamond up, aligning the bottom edge with the top edge (i.e., fold in half along the horizontal).

How to make an origami duck - step 18

Step 19

Fold the tail back on itself by folding in half along the vertical.

How to make an origami duck - step 19

Step 20

Pull the tail up and out (go gently), then press the creases to secure in place.

How to make an origami duck - step 20

Step 21

Tidy up your origami duck’s derriere by folding each side inwards.

How to make an origami duck - step 21a How to make an origami duck - step 21b

Step 22

Finally, fold the wings down (or leave them up if you prefer) to complete your origami duck!

How to make an origami duck - step 22a How to make an origami duck - step 22b How to make an origami duck - step 22c
How to make an origami duck - completed origami duck, image 1

Origami penguin

Fold our beautiful penguin origami with our easy-to-follow guide.

Beautiful origami paper to buy!

1. Handmade origami paper

Buy now: £14.00, Amazon

Handmade origami paper – image 1, Amazon

Okay – so you’ve practised a model, and now you want to make a special one? Perhaps as a gift, or to make a topper on the front of a card? Well, this handmade paper is perfect for when you want to create something a little more special.


2. Double-sided origami paper

Buy now: £8.45, Amazon

How to make an origami crane

This is the origami paper we used for the steps photos – it’s great, because not only is it double-sided, but the sides are different colours so it really adds a little bit extra to those designs where you see both sides of the paper. Plus it comes as a loose leaf, which is handy.


3. Botanical origami paper

Buy now: £6.79, Amazon

Origami for beginners

This collection of botanical-inspired origami paper features beautiful designs of leaves and feathers in a palette of greens and blues. We love the peacock feathers! If you want more peacock-inspired prints, why not download our free peacock pintables – just be sure to cut into squares before folding this origami duck.


4. Metallic origami paper

Buy now: £4.97, Amazon

Metallic origami paper

This metallic collection of origami papers features 10 different colours, with a pearly, iridescent finish. For simple designs this paper is great – and we think this paper would look great for our origami duck!


How to make an origami duck – completed origami duck, image 5


Dive into origami

Create this elegant origami duck to add to your collection! With your favourite papers and just a few simple folds, you can create these pretty birds!

Take flight with our origami birds

Get stuck into more origami with our beautiful origami birds, where you’ll find easy-to-follow instructions for each one, including a graceful penguin, a peaceful dove, a pretty hummingbird and much more!

origami-birds