You need one uncut sheet of printer paper, short edge at the top. No scissors, tape or clips. Measurements are rounded to the nearest ⅛ inch, as in the app.

moves fold line where it lands Diagrams are drawn on Letter and zoom in after the fold in half; the bar in each corner is 1 inch. Tap a diagram to watch the fold.

Fold it step by step

01
Crease down the middle
Fold the sheet in half the long way. Press a sharp crease, then open it flat again.
Run your thumbnail along every crease. Sharp creases hold their shape.
02
Fold the top corners in
Bring the top-right corner down so the top edge lies right along the center crease.
Line the edge up first, then press the fold flat.
03
Now the left corner
Same thing on the left side. Now the top looks like a pointy roof.
Both sides should meet exactly on the crease.
04
Fold the edges in again
Fold the new slanted right edge in to the center crease. The nose gets sharper.
Keep the point crisp; a slightly rounded tip is fine.
05
Match it on the left
Fold the slanted left edge in to the center too.
Check the two sides are mirror images.
06
Fold the point back
Fold the sharp tip down 2 in (5.1 cm) so the nose is blunt.Fold the sharp tip down 5.1 cm (2 in) so the nose is blunt.
A snub nose is the Bulldog. Press it hard.
07
Fold it in half
Fold the plane in half along the center crease, with all the flaps on the inside.
Press from the nose toward the tail.
08
Fold down the first wing
Fold the top layer down on a slant: 1 in (2.5 cm) from the center fold at the nose, ½ in (1.3 cm) from it at the tail.Fold the top layer down on a slant: 2.5 cm (1 in) from the center fold at the nose, 1.3 cm (½ in) from it at the tail.
The crease slants: farther from the center fold at the nose than at the tail. Measure both ends.
09
Fold the wingtip back
Fold the tip of this wing back over, ⅝ in (1.5 cm) in from its edge.Fold the tip of this wing back over, 1.5 cm (⅝ in) in from its edge.
This becomes a winglet.
10
Turn it over
Flip the plane over so the other side faces up.
Keep the nose pointing the same way.
11
Fold down the second wing
Fold this wing down on the same slant as the first one.
Hold the two wings together to check they line up.
12
Fold the other tip back
Fold this wingtip back the same amount.
Both winglets the same size.
13
Open the wings and stand the tips up
Open the wings flat, then stand both wingtips straight up.

Check the shape

From behind: this is the view to compare with your plane.

Compare the folded nose and the two standing tips. If you refold a winglet, leave the other settings alone for the next few throws.

Before you open the wings, hold the plane closed against a window: both wing outlines should cover each other. Fix an unequal wing crease before reaching for trim.

First flights

Launch: Pinch it under the body and throw firmly and level.

Folded-back point. The returned point adds layers at the front. Make sure it lies flat and centred; a flap sticking out on one side acts like a tiny rudder.
Upright winglets. Hold the body, not a tip. After each landing, stand both winglets back to the same height.

If it misbehaves

Dives straight down: Release level, then bend both back edges up a hair.
Climbs, then drops: Flatten those bends a little; throw nearer level.
Always turns one way: Compare the wings first. Then bend the edge on the inside of the turn down, or the outside edge up, very slightly.

Full troubleshooting guide →

The app can fly this plane in a simulator. Its distances and paths are simulation output; this page makes no claim about how far a hand-folded Hornet will fly.