How to Make a Paper Car: 2 Easy Ways

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Plus, helpful tips & tricks from expert origamists

Co-authored by Amy Guerrero and Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: July 25, 2025 Fact Checked

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Making a Flat Origami Car

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Making a Moving Car

|

Where to Buy

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Q&A

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Tips

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Things You'll Need

Making a paper car is an easy activity that helps you practice your origami skills. All you need is a sheet of paper, your hands, and a few other materials if you want to make it move. In this article, we explain how to make a regular origami car , a moving origami car , and where to buy origami cars, with the help of origami experts Robert Homayoon and Coco Sato. Read on and get ready for a world of fun!

How to Make a Simple Paper Car

Make a crease in the middle of your paper.
Fold the top and bottom of your paper by ⅓.
Fold the top and bottom corners up and down until they go past the initial fold.
Fold the tips of each folded corner flat to form your wheels.
Fold the paper in half along the first crease you made.
Fold the top right corner in to form the trunk.
Fold the top left corner to make the windshield.

Section 1 of 3:

Making a Flat Origami Car

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1
Make a crease in the middle of the origami paper. Fold the paper in half, widthwise. Homayoon suggests using your hands or fingernails to make the crease. ^{[1]
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Expert Source

Robert Homayoon
Origami Expert

Expert Interview} Run your fingernail along the fold to make a crease, then unfold the paper. ^{[2]
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Research source}
- Homayoon says that if you don’t have origami paper, printer paper will suffice, as it’s only slightly thicker than origami paper. ^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Robert Homayoon
  Origami Expert
  
  Expert Interview}
- To get crisp folds for your origami , Sato says you can also use other items, like a bone folder, a ruler, or the non-sharp edge of a butter knife. ^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Coco Sato
  Origamist and Contemporary Artist
  
  Expert Interview}
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Robert Homayoon is an origami expert known for his engaging YouTube videos and accessible instructions. He’s been teaching origami since 2009.

Coco Sato is an award-winning contemporary artist specializing in origami and geometric sculptures. Coco’s work bridges cultures by combining traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary concepts.
2
Fold the top and bottom edges of the paper by 1/3. Start by folding the top edge of the paper down by 1/3. Next, fold the bottom edge of the paper up by 1/3. You should now have 3, equal-sized sections on your paper. ^{[5]
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- For the rest of the tutorial, the folded top and bottom edges will be called the "top" and "bottom" flaps.
- The top and bottom third of your paper will be colored, while the middle will be white. If you are making a white car, then the middle part will be colored.
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3
Fold the corner of the top flap up until it goes past the folded edge. Go back to your top flap and fold the bottom-right corner upwards until it goes past the top, folded edge. The left point of the corner should be about 1/3 of the way across the flap. ^{[6]
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- Keep the top flap folded down for this step. Don't unfold it!
EXPERT TIP

Robert Homayoon
Origami Expert
Robert Homayoon is an Origami Expert known for his engaging YouTube videos and accessible instructions. He has been teaching origami on YouTube since 2009. His channel has a following of over 676,000 subscribers, and his videos have garnered over 211 million views. Robert uses his channel to highlight his passion for teaching people origami, crafts, and how to solve puzzles. He graduated from SUNY Albany in 2007 and earned his D.M.D degree from Temple University Dental School in 2013.

Robert Homayoon
Origami Expert

Books that explain the different types of folds are very useful for beginners. These books teach the basic folds, like valley and mountain folds. Aside from reading books, take your time getting your hand-eye coordination skills down, and consider watching videos or learning through audiobooks.
4
Fold the other corners into ⅓ of the flap length. Fold the bottom-left corner of the top flap upwards. Next, fold the top 2 corners of the bottom flap downward. Each folded corner should be 1/3 the length of your flaps. ^{[7]
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- You are essentially doing the same process for the bottom flap as you did for the top. If you need to, rotate the paper so that the bottom flap is along the top.
5
Fold the tips of the corners flat to make them more wheel-like. The corners that you just folded will make the wheels. But they are pointy, which is not very wheel-like. To fix this, slightly fold down the tips of the corners to flatten them. ^{[8]
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- If you want to, you can "cheat" by cutting the corners into semi-circles. This is stepping away from origami, however.
6
Fold the whole paper in half along the first crease. This completes the body of your car, so make sure that the color you want is on the outside. Be sure to run your fingernail back and forth across the top crease to sharpen it. ^{[9]
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- You will have a bottom fold, just above the wheels. To make the fold neater, run your fingernail across the smaller corner folds.
7
Fold the top right corner inward to form the trunk. Hold the car gently in your left hand. Press down on the right side of the crease until it goes into the car. Flatten the car, then run your fingernail along the edge to make a crease.
- This is known as a pocket fold.
- Make the pocket fold at a deep angle, so that it matches up with the back wheel.
8
Fold the top left corner inward to make the windshield. Use the same technique as you did to make the windshield. This time, make the pocket fold at a slight angle so that it extends past the front wheel.
- Take a moment to sharpen your creases by running your fingernail across them. While not necessary, this will make your car look neater.
9
Set the car down on top of its wheels. Thanks to the pocket folds, the car won't lie completely flat. You should be able to stand it up on all four wheels.
- Take your car to the next level by drawing some windows, doors, handles, and other details.
- Ready for another challenge? Try making a paper tank next!

Section 2 of 3:

Making a Moving Paper Car

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1
Create a T-shaped template using a pencil and a ruler. Make the vertical part of the T 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide and 4 inches (10 cm) tall. Make the top, horizontal part of the T 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide and 8 inches (20 cm) long.
- You can make your car out of printer paper or construction paper, but cardstock will be much better.
- The top, horizontal part will make the sides of the car. The vertical part will make a curved roof, like in a buggy.
- The paper measurements for this project don't have to be exact. Once you know how to make it, you can use the proportions to make smaller/bigger cars.
2
Cut out your T, then cut the top corners off at downward angles. Cut out the T-shape first. Next, cut the corners off from the top, horizontal part of the T. Make them angle downward, toward the vertical part of the T.
- These cuts will eventually make the windshield. Make sure that you cut both of them at the same angle.
3
Fold the top, horizontal part of the T to make the sides of the car. Draw a 1 in (2.5 cm) square in the middle of the top, horizontal part of the T first. Next, use the sides of the square as guidelines. Fold the left side of the T along the left side of the box, then repeat the process for the right side of the T.br>
- When you are done, you will have a set of 3 ¹ ⁄ ₂ in (8.9 cm) prongs that are 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Sticking up between the prongs is your 4 in (10 cm) tall vertical bar.
4
Tape the vertical part of the T between the 2 prongs. Hold the ends of the 2 prongs 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Bring the bottom of the T between the 2 prongs, so that it is aligned with the slanted edges. Secure everything together with a strip of tape.
- For a neater finish, put the tape inside the car instead.
- The vertical part of the T will arch over the 2 prongs, creating a rounded roof, like a buggy.
5
Cut four 1 in (2.5 cm) circles out of cardstock. Trace these circles using a compass, large coins, or bottle caps. When you are done, cut them out with scissors. These will be your wheels, so cut them as neatly as you can, otherwise the wheels won't turn.
- Black cardstock will work the best, but you can use a different color.
- To make sturdier wheels, cut them out of cardboard instead. Don't worry about the color; you can always paint the wheels later.
6
Paint and decorate your car, including the wheels. Start by coloring your wheels black, then adding grey or silver hubcaps. Paint your car, if you wish, then draw some doors and handles on the sides. Finish off by adding on a front and back windshield.
- Add some more details, such as decals, headlights, or even a driver!
- You can paint or draw the details on. If you use paint, let the car dry before moving on.
7
Punch some holes for the wheels. Use a hole puncher to make 2 holes on each side of your car, ¹ ⁄ ₈ to ¹ ⁄ ₄ inch (0.32 to 0.64 cm) from the bottom edge, and 2 inches (5.1 cm) apart. Use a thick needle to make 1 hole in the middle of each wheel.
- Don't use a hole puncher on the wheels. The holes will be too big.
- If you don't have a needle, you can use a toothpick or an awl. Be careful, however!
8
Poke a toothpick through the holes in the car. You will need 2 toothpicks: 1 for the front set of holes, and 1 for the back. Trim down the toothpicks until they are ¹ ⁄ ₄ to ¹ ⁄ ₂ inch (0.64 to 1.27 cm) long on each side of the car.
- Paint the toothpicks black first for a more realistic effect.
- If you don't have any toothpicks, you can cut down some skewers or use lollipop sticks instead. You may have to make the holes in the wheels bigger, however.
9
Attach the wheels to the toothpick. Slide the wheels onto the toothpicks—make sure that the hubcaps are facing out. Don't worry if the wheels don't rotate on the toothpick. The toothpick will rotate in the holes on the car instead. ^{[10]
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- If you used lollipop sticks, you can hot glue the wheels onto the sticks instead. Again, don't worry if the wheels won't turn on the sticks themselves.
10
Secure the wheels with beads or glue, if needed. The wheels should fit snugly onto the toothpicks. If they are loose or falling off, slide a small bead over each end of the toothpick. Secure the bead with a drop of glue, if needed. If you can't find any small beads, try a bit of hot glue instead. ^{[11]
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- If the bead is a different color from the hubcap, you can paint it grey or silver to match.

Section 3 of 3:

Where to Buy Paper Cars

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Check out websites that sell paper cars, like Amazon. If you’re on a website like Walmart or Amazon, look up “ paper cars ” and sift through the results until you find a paper car that catches your eye. If you’re on another website that specializes in paper cars, like jeffallisondesign.com or jossney.com , check out their designs and pick one that suits you best.
- You can also find paper cars on marketplace websites, like Etsy and eBay .
- Once you’ve found a design you like, add it to your cart and purchase. Depending on the website, you can either order the paper car for pickup or get it delivered directly to your doorstep.

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Question

How do I know the places I need to cut?

Community Answer

To remember which fold or spot to cut, draw it out or mark it first.

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What did you use to poke the holes in the car?

Community Answer

They used a hole puncher, but if you don't have one you can use a toothpick, which works just as well.

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Do I need cardboard for the wheels?

Community Answer

You should use a sturdy material for the wheels. Cardboard is a perfect choice!

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Tips

Design the cars after real cars, such as police cars or race cars.

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Add some stickers to create decals.

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Glue on sequins, beads, or round rhinestones to make lights (including police car sirens).

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Things You'll Need

Making a Moving Car

Sturdy paper, preferably cardstock
Pen or pencil
Ruler
Scissors
Tape
2 toothpicks
4 small beads (optional)
Glue (optional)

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[1]

Expert Source

Robert Homayoon
Origami Expert

[2]

[3]

[4]

Coco Sato
Origamist and Contemporary Artist

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

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How to Make a Paper Car: 2 Easy Ways

How to Make a Simple Paper Car

Steps

Making a Flat Origami Car

Making a Moving Paper Car

Where to Buy Paper Cars

Community Q&A

Tips

Things You'll Need

Making a Moving Car

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