How to Build a Paper Airplane

Materials You Will Need

The classic dart-style paper airplane requires almost nothing. Before you begin, gather the following items and find a flat surface, such as a table or desk, where you can make crisp folds.

Ordinary printer paper works best. Heavier paper is harder to fold accurately, and very thin paper tends to bend in flight.

Folding the Airplane

The folding process is divided into three stages. Work through them in order, and take care to line up the edges precisely at each step. Small errors early on grow into lopsided wings later.

Step One: Create the Center Crease

Place the sheet of paper on the table in portrait orientation, so the short edges are at the top and bottom. Fold the paper in half lengthwise, bringing the left edge over to meet the right edge. Press the crease firmly, then unfold the paper. You should now see a single line running down the center of the sheet.

  • Make sure the corners line up exactly before pressing the fold.
  • Run a fingernail or ruler along the crease to make it sharp.
  • Unfold completely so the paper lies flat again.

Step Two: Fold the Nose

Take the top left corner and fold it down so that the top edge of the paper lies along the center crease. Repeat with the top right corner. The top of the sheet should now come to a point, like the roof of a house.

Next, fold the new angled edges in toward the center crease once more. This second set of folds narrows the nose and adds weight to the front of the plane, which helps it fly straight.

  • Keep the tip of the point exactly on the center line.
  • Both sides should be symmetrical; hold the paper up to the light to check.
  • Press every crease firmly so the layers do not spring open.

Step Three: Form the Wings

Fold the entire plane in half along the original center crease, so that the folded nose sections are on the outside. The plane should now look like a long, narrow triangle.

To make the wings, fold the top layer down so that its edge lines up with the bottom edge of the plane. Flip the plane over and repeat on the other side. Finally, open the wings out so they sit level with each other and form a slight V shape when viewed from the front.

  • Each wing fold should be about an inch from the bottom edge for a stable body.
  • The two wings must be the same width, or the plane will curve to one side.
  • Leave the wings angled up very slightly rather than perfectly flat.

Flying Your Airplane

A well-folded plane will fly straight and far with a gentle throw. Hold the plane near the middle of the body, just behind the nose, with your thumb and index finger. Point the nose slightly upward and throw it forward with a smooth motion, rather than a hard snap.

Throwing Tips

  • Throw with medium force; a harder throw does not always mean a longer flight.
  • Release the plane level with the ground or aimed slightly upward.
  • Follow through with your arm, as if you were pointing at the target.
  • Fly indoors or on a calm day to avoid wind interference.

Safety Reminders

  • Never throw a paper airplane toward another person's face.
  • Keep away from ceiling fans, open flames, and busy roads.
  • Pick up and recycle your plane when you are finished.

Troubleshooting

If your plane does not fly the way you expect, the fix is usually a small adjustment rather than a complete rebuild. Compare the behavior of your plane to the common problems below.

The Plane Dives Straight Down

A nose-heavy plane drops quickly after leaving your hand. Bend the back edges of both wings up very slightly to create a little lift, and try throwing with a bit less force.

The Plane Climbs and Then Stalls

If the plane rises sharply and then falls, it is tail-heavy or was thrown too hard. Slide a paper clip onto the nose to add weight, and make sure the wing tips are not curled upward too much.

The Plane Turns to One Side

Curving flight almost always means the wings are uneven. Lay the plane on the table and check that both wings are the same width and angle. Re-crease any fold that has loosened, and gently flatten the wing on the side toward which the plane turns.