How to Make a Paper Dart
Fold a sleek, aerodynamic paper dart using precise creasing techniques for maximum flight distance, speed, and balanced straight-line trajectory.
- Read the tools, materials, safety notes, and steps below for free.
- Tap Start Camera Coach when you want hands-free voice help.
- Allow camera and microphone. Point your phone at the work; the coach watches your progress and tells you the next step.
🧰 Required Tools & Equipment
- ✓ Bone folder or plastic ruler
- ✓ Clean, flat folding surface
- ✓ Clear tape dispenser
📦 Materials & Supplies
- ✓ 1 sheet of 20-24 lb standard copy paper (Letter or A4)
- ✓ Small strip of clear cellophane tape (optional)
⚠️ Safety Checkpoints & Warnings
- • Watch fingers against paper edges when burnishing sharp creases to prevent deep paper cuts.
- • Never throw paper darts toward people's faces, pets, or fragile indoor obstacles due to the sharp tip.
- • Ensure a clear throwing lane free of tripping hazards when test-flying your dart.
📋 Step-by-Step Guide (6 Steps)
Create the Center Crease
Lay the paper flat on your surface in a portrait orientation. Fold the sheet precisely in half lengthwise, bringing the left edge over to match the right edge perfectly. Run a bone folder or plastic ruler firmly down the fold to set a sharp crease, then unfold the sheet back to lay flat.
- • A distinct, straight vertical valley crease running down the exact center of the page.
- • Paper lays mostly flat with symmetrical left and right halves.
- • Rushing the alignment, resulting in uneven corners that skew flight later.
Fold Top Corners to Centerline
Take the top-left corner and fold it downward diagonally so its top edge aligns flush along the vertical center crease. Repeat the fold with the top-right corner, ensuring the two diagonal edges meet neatly at the center without overlapping. Burnish both diagonal folds firmly with your tool.
- • A clean triangle shape formed at the top half of the sheet.
- • Pointed apex at the exact top center with edges meeting flush.
- • Overlapping the paper layers along the center crease, which causes asymmetric drag.
Form the Narrow Dart Taper
Take the outer slanted edge on the left side and fold it inwards toward the center crease once more. Align the entire edge precisely along the middle fold line all the way to the tip. Repeat on the right side, pressing firmly down the entire length to create a very sharp, tapered nose profile.
- • A long, narrow triangular spear profile tapering to a sharp single point at the nose.
- • Two symmetrical diagonal flaps meeting cleanly down the spine.
- • Allowing the tip to bunch up or tear due to the increasing thickness of the paper layers.
Fold the Plane in Half Along Spine
Turn the paper so the folds remain on the inside and fold the entire dart in half along your original center crease. Smooth the keel down firmly with your bone folder, ensuring the top edges and nose layers remain aligned. The paper dart should now look like a flat, long triangle with a straight bottom keel.
- • A flat profile showing identical left and right halves pressed together.
- • A sharp, compact nose with all interior folds tucked inside.
- • Folding inside-out, which leaves internal flaps exposed to oncoming airflow.
Fold Down the Wings
Position the folded dart on its side with the flat keel at the bottom. Fold the top layer downward to create a wing, aligning the fold line about 0.5 to 0.75 inches above and parallel to the bottom keel line. Flip the dart over and repeat on the other side, making sure both wing folds are completely identical in depth and angle.
- • Both wings match identically in height from the keel.
- • A distinct central grip (keel) extending along the bottom for throwing.
- • Making asymmetrical wing folds, which causes the dart to spiral or roll immediately after launch.
Set Dihedral Angle and Secure Nose
Open the wings so they form a slight upward 'V' shape (a positive dihedral angle) relative to the keel. If the nose layers want to splay open, apply a tiny strip of clear tape across the top seam near the nose to lock it together. Hold the dart by the keel just behind the center of gravity and launch with a smooth, level forward throw.
- • Wings angle slightly upward (10 to 15 degrees above horizontal).
- • Nose remains tightly clamped and dart flies straight without banking or diving.
- • Throwing with wings angled downward (anhedral), which causes unstable flight and rapid ground dives.
Credit: inspired by an original tutorial by JayFindsThings — watch the original on YouTube.
Don’t have everything?
- No bone folder? back of a spoon or fingernail
- No clear tape? small drop of glue stick or a tiny paperclip