How to Make a Paper Airplane
Learn how to make a paper airplane that actually flies straight. Step-by-step folding instructions for the classic dart, plus how to trim it for distance and accuracy.
We have been folding paper airplanes since elementary school and we still make them at our desk when we are on a long phone call. There is something deeply satisfying about a well-folded plane that sails across the room in a clean, straight line.
The classic dart is the design worth learning first. It is simple, fast to fold, and it actually flies well. The problem is that asymmetrical wings and loose creases make it nosedive after three feet, and those are easy mistakes to make without noticing.
This guide folds the classic dart and then shows you how to trim it so it flies level instead of diving. It uses a single sheet of regular paper and takes less than two minutes. The FAQs cover how a wider glider differs if you want to trade distance for hang time. The difference between a plane that flies and one that crashes is the precision of your folds, and we will flag the folds where precision actually matters.
One sheet of standard 8.5 by 11 inch paper (letter size). Printer paper, notebook paper, or copy paper all work. Heavier paper like cardstock is too stiff and will not fly well. Avoid lined paper with three-hole punches since the holes weaken the structure. A flat, hard surface to fold on gives you the crispest creases.
Start with a center fold
Place your paper on a flat surface in portrait orientation (tall, not wide). Fold the paper in half lengthwise, bringing the left edge to meet the right edge exactly. Crease the fold firmly by running your finger or a pen along it. Then unfold it. You should have a sharp center line running down the middle of the paper. This center line is your reference for every fold that follows. If this fold is off-center, everything else will be asymmetrical and the plane will not fly straight.
Fold the top corners to the center
Take the top left corner and fold it down to meet the center crease. The top edge of the paper should align perfectly with the center line. Press the fold flat. Repeat with the top right corner. You should now have a pointed triangle at the top of the page, like the roof of a house, with the point sitting exactly on the center line. If one side is wider than the other, unfold and redo it. Symmetry here is critical for a straight flight path.
Fold the angled edges to the center again
Take the left angled edge (the one you just created) and fold it inward so it lines up with the center crease. The fold runs from the top point down to about two-thirds of the way down the page. Repeat on the right side. The nose of the plane is now a long, narrow point. Both sides should be mirror images of each other. Press all creases firmly. The tighter and cleaner your creases, the more rigid the plane and the better it flies.
Good to know: If the nose feels too heavy after these folds, fold the very tip of the point backward about half an inch. This redistributes the weight slightly behind the nose and prevents the plane from diving on launch.
Fold the plane in half
Fold the entire plane in half along the original center crease, bringing the left side over to meet the right side. The folded edges are on the inside. The nose point should be sharp and aligned. You are now holding what looks like a long, thin triangle with all the folds hidden inside.
Create the wings
With the folded edge (the spine of the plane) facing down, fold the top layer down so the top edge meets the bottom edge (the spine). This creates the first wing. Flip the plane over and fold the other side to match. Both wings should be the same size and angle. The wings should extend straight out from the body when you hold the plane at the spine. If one wing droops more than the other, the plane will turn in that direction. Adjust until both sides match.
Test and adjust
Hold the plane by the body between your thumb and index finger, about one-third of the way back from the nose. Throw it with a smooth, level motion at about three-quarters strength. Do not throw it as hard as you can. Gentle, straight throws work better than powerful launches. If the plane nosedives, bend the back edge of the wings up slightly (called elevator trim). If it climbs and stalls, bend them down slightly. If it turns left or right, check your wing symmetry. Small adjustments make a big difference.
A well-folded paper airplane should fly 20 to 30 feet with a smooth, level throw. If yours is not doing that, check your folds for symmetry. Hold the plane at eye level from behind and make sure both wings are exactly even. Adjust the wing angle slightly up or down and throw again. Once you have the classic dart dialed in, experiment with small changes. Fold the wingtips up slightly for stability. Bend the trailing edge of the wings up for a climb or down for a dive. The world record is 322 feet 11 inches, set in December 2025, and the FAQs below have the details. We are not suggesting you aim for that, but it is proof that fold precision and throw technique have far more headroom than a desk toss suggests.
Questions we get asked about this
Answers from experience, not a textbook.
Usually the nose is too heavy relative to the wings. Try folding the tip of the nose backward about half an inch to move the center of gravity back. You can also bend the trailing edge of the wings up slightly. That reduces the lift at the back of the wing and pushes the tail down, which is what lifts the nose and counteracts the nose-heavy tendency. Finally, try throwing with less force. Hard throws cause the nose to pitch down.
Standard 20-pound printer or copy paper (8.5 by 11 inches) is ideal. It is stiff enough to hold its shape but light enough to glide. Heavier paper like cardstock is too rigid and does not fly well. Thin paper like newspaper tears and does not hold creases. If you want to experiment, 24-pound paper gives a slightly stiffer plane that handles wind better for outdoor throwing.
A well-folded dart thrown indoors will usually reach 20 to 30 feet, and a good one goes further. The record is a different sport entirely. Guinness World Records lists the farthest flight by a paper aircraft as 98.43 m (322 ft 11 in), set by Liu Liwen in Shanghai on December 28, 2025. Those attempts use purpose-built long-distance designs, and the team behind the current mark spent a long time studying aerodynamics and training the throw rather than relying on arm strength alone. For casual folding, anything past 30 feet is a good result. Focus on smooth, level throws rather than raw power.
Darts have narrow, pointed noses and small wings. They fly fast and far in a straight line. Gliders have blunt or folded noses and wider wings. They sacrifice distance for hang time, floating slowly through the air rather than slicing through it. Darts are better for distance competitions. Gliders are better for trick throws and seeing how long you can keep a plane in the air.
Creative Starter Kit
How to Make a Paper Airplane
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