How to Fold an Origami Basic Box

Easy level, 8 steps. From Die Praxis des Kindergartens (Köhler), 1873. Public domain.

The animated version shows each fold moving, one step per screen. This page shows every step at once.

All 8 steps

Step 1. Start with a sheet twice as long as it is wide, white side up. Fold the short edges together, then unfold.
Step 2. Fold the long edges together, then unfold.
Step 3. Fold the left edge to the center crease.
Step 4. Fold the right edge to the center crease.
Step 5. Without turning over, fold the top edge down to the center crease.
Step 6. Fold the bottom edge up to the center crease.
Step 7. Stand up the two long sides. Then stand up the two ends: each corner folds in on its diagonal and lies flat inside the end.
Step 8. Bend the top half of each end out a little. These are the box's ears.
Done. The basic box (Köhler, Die Praxis des Kindergartens, 1873).