Download Article
Follow these easy steps to make a 3D paper cone
Download Article
Paper cones are useful in a range of homemade crafts. Need a nose cone for your paper rocket or snowman? Want to make a party hat? Paper cones have a lot of potential variety, and they're fortunately easy to make as well. Once you get the basic cone prepared, you can go the extra and decorate it to your liking.
How to Make a Paper Cone
- Cut a disk or circle out of a piece of paper.
- Draw a triangle wedge over 1/4 of the disk.
- Cut out the triangle wedge.
- Bring the sides of the disk together and tape them together.
Steps
Printable Paper Cone Template
-
Make a paper disk. The height of your cone will be determined by the radius of your circle. The larger the radius, the taller the cone. You can print the template in the document above, and trace the shape onto the paper you want to use. If you choose to make your own disc, do your best to make the shape as round as possible.
- Improper measurements will have a big effect on your cone's result. It's a good idea to put extra effort into making the circle as round as possible.
- For your disk shape, you can also use a compass, or trace a round object, such as a lid or container.
-
Draw a triangle wedge. Use the template to cut out two sides from the circle to make your wedge. To draw your own wedge, make a mark in the center of the disc. Draw out two straight lines from the center point to make a wedge with your ruler. If the lines are closer together it will make a smaller wedge which will result in a cone with a broad bottom.- Use a compass protractor to pinpoint the centre of your disc if you're unsure where to place your dot. If you're using a protractor tool to outline the disc to begin with, it can save you time to make the centre dot before you trace the disc around it.
- You can also draw your own triangle wedge using a ruler and pencil.
Advertisement -
Cut the triangle wedge out of the circle. To make a cone with a small bottom, cut out a larger triangle wedge. Use scissors or a precision knife to cut out your wedge as straight as possible. If you run into any cutting mishaps, you will probably need to start over again.
-
Bring the cut sides of your disc together. For your cone shape, bring one cut end of your disc over to the other in a cone shape. Hold it together and make sure the lower ridge of both sides overlap evenly. With this, your disc should have the desired cone shape you're looking for.
- Unfurl the paper and try again if the sides don't meet properly at first.
- Don't make firm creases in your paper. Your cone should be rounded.
-
Tape the inside of the cone closed. Once you tape the two sides side by side so that the paper makes a cone. Tape the inside of the cone by bridging the two sides so that they slightly overlap and bridging the overlap with tape. With that done, your cone should be ready to go.
- One straight piece of tape will give your cone the best stability. Multiple pieces of tape inside will make a mess. It is helpful to have one hand applying the tape while the other holds the shape of the cone.
Advertisement
-
Cut out a wide triangle. [1] X Research source If the common disc method isn't to your liking, you can make a cone shape starting out with a paper triangle. In order for it to be rolled properly into a cone, there must be one long side, and two shorter sides of equal length. The bigger the triangle, the bigger your cone will be. Take care to make your measurements and cuts as accurate as possible.
- Slight errors can make your cone lopsided, or, worse still, too short to tape around.
- Similarly, you can make the same process work with a half-circle. A half-circle will result in a smoother top. [2] X Research source
- If you don't want to make measurements yourself, triangle templates are available. Make sure you're using a template with one long side and two shorter sides of equal length. [3] X Research source
-
Roll the far corners of your paper into the centre. [4] X Research source Take one of the far corners and roll it into the centre so that the paper's edge is touching the middle of your triangle. With your other hand, bring the other corner and roll it overtop so that it wraps around the other corner. When this is complete, you should have a general shape of a cone in place.
- If you're having difficulty rolling the corners together, it may be that you didn't cut your triangle out wide enough.
- The far corners are the opposite ends of the wide triangle.
- Hold the first corner roll in place while you roll the other corner. [5] X Research source One hand should be used for each corner.
-
Make adjustments to your cone. [6] X Research source Unless the rolls were perfect, chances are you'll have to shift the paper around a bit in order to make the cone even. Tighten the rolled folds as necessary. If you think you rolled the two corner folds unevenly, feel free to try again.
- If there are excess lengths of paper jutting out from the cone shape, it may be that your original sheet wasn't an even shape. If this is the case, you can keep moving forward by cutting off any excess with a precision knife. So long as you have an even base for your cone, people won't be able to notice mishaps you had in the process of making it.
- It's a fairly quick process, so it pays to do it a few times until you get it right.
-
Fold the loose edges into the cone's opening. Excess flaps of paper should be folded into the cone. This makes the cone look smother, and also helps the folds hold their form. If the rolls have been done correctly, there should at least be a triangular end that should be folded inward. [7] X Research source
- If for whatever reason you don't have enough paper to fold over, you can get over this issue by running a strip of tape across the base, from the outside to the inside of your cone.
- Try squeezing or loosening your grip on the cone if the folding slot isn't apparent enough.
-
Tape the cone. Although folding your loose edges should stabilize the cone's shape, taping the seam inside the cone will help ensure it holds. Take a strip of tape and line it up along the seam. If you think there's still a risk of it falling apart, take additional strips and line them across the top and middle of the seam. With taping done, you should have a functional cone.
- The loose edge can be taped down as well.
Advertisement
-
Choose the right paper. If you have a solid idea what you're making a cone for beforehand, it helps to consider the material you'll be using. Certain types of paper suit certain projects better than others.
- Printer paper is fine for purely decorative cones. It offers a lot of potential to be coloured or drawn on.
- A thick construction paper is best if you're making party hats. [8] X Research source
- Parchment paper is a good choice if you're making a funnel to bake with.
-
Cut off the tip for a funnel. If you're making a cone for the sake of baking, a funnel is needed. Take a pair of scissors and cut the tip off. From that opening, you'll be able to control the pour of icing or syrup by squeezing the funnel.
- If your funnel hole isn't big enough, you can try to cut it again. Keep in mind, however, that the higher you cut up the cone will result in an exponentially bigger funnel hole. It's best to keep your funnel cutting careful and restrained.
-
Draw a pattern on your cone. If you're making a decorative cone or a party hat, it's fun to add a pattern. Take your favourite pencil crayons or markers and draw something. Patterns (like jagged edges or swirls) are best for a cone, but you can also draw words on it. For the sake of a party hat or dunce cap, writing a word (like "Happy Birthday") can help to specify the cone to the given occasion.
- Draw a pattern in with pencil first if you're worried about making mistakes.
- It may be easier to draw your pattern on the paper before you make it into a cone.
-
Look up ideas for added inspiration. [9] X Research source There are countless ways you could go about decorating a paper cone. Although you should try coming up with ideas yourself, it can be inspiring to look up creative projects other people have done. Experiment with different cone-making techniques. Decorate your cone with a fresh type of material. The possibilities with home crafts are endless.
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionWhy does the tape need to be inside the cone?Community AnswerThis is so that the cone that you are making does not fall apart, making you have to redo your project. Also, when it's on the inside you won't see it, making it more aesthetically pleasing.
-
QuestionHow can I make a flask with paper?Community AnswerPaper will not hold alcohol - or any other liquid - for any extended period of time.
-
QuestionHow can I decorate the cone? I need some suggestions.Community AnswerYou could easily decorate the paper before you make the funnel, or buy cool paper, but you could also put a little pom on the top/around the ring. You could also cover it in glue and sprinkle confetti on it. There are plenty of visual ideas on Pinterest or Google images if you search "party hats."
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
- Practice makes perfect. The more cones you make, the better they'll become.Thanks
- Use printer paper.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
- Don't rush through the initial measurements. They may not be as fun as the creative decorating, but mistakes early on can lead you to having to start over from scratch.Thanks
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF2VFWL4nGI
- ↑ https://www.firstpalette.com/quick-how-to/cone-hat.html
- ↑ http://www.enchantedlearning.com/tracing/triangle2/
- ↑ http://www.pastrywiz.com/decor/howto.htm
- ↑ http://www.pastrywiz.com/decor/howto.htm
- ↑ http://www.pastrywiz.com/decor/howto.htm
- ↑ http://www.pastrywiz.com/decor/howto.htm
- ↑ https://www.firstpalette.com/quick-how-to/cone-hat.html
- ↑ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/276689970826627307/
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To make a funnel or cone from paper, first cut out a circle. The bigger the diameter of the circle is, the taller your funnel will be. Use a ruler and pencil to draw a triangle wedge over one-quarter of the circle. Then, cut the wedge out with scissors. Bring the cut sides of the disc together and overlap them to make a cone shape. Finally, use a piece of tape to secure the inside of the cone. Alternatively, you can make a funnel or cone by cutting out a large triangle from a piece of paper that has one long side and two equal shorter sides. Overlap the far corners and roll the triangle into a cone shape. Then, use a piece of tape to secure the inside of the cone and hold it together. If you want to learn how to make a paper cone from a disc, keep reading the article!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,990,240 times.
Advertisement
"It helped me so much :)."
"I'm going to make a cone for a bird house. The circle method is probably going to be the easiest since I will be working with 26 gauge copper sheeting. I'm a licensed plumber and have soldered hundreds of thousands pipes and fittings, but never sheeting."
..."
more
"I felt really stupid that I couldn't make something so basic and I couldn't fathom out why my methods were not working. Your assistance was much-appreciated and also the instructions were very simple. Thanks a million."
..."
more
"I am making a rocket ship for a class made out of recycled material and I needed a cone. Whenever I need to see how to do something, I go to wikiHow!"
..."
more
"This article was very short, simple and straight to the point. Thank you for making this wonderful article. :)"
