How to Create a Cone from Paper: 2 DIY Methods

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Follow these easy steps to make a 3D paper cone
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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

  1. Cut a disk or circle out of a piece of paper.
  2. Draw a triangle wedge over 1/4 of the disk.
  3. Cut out the triangle wedge.
  4. Bring the sides of the disk together and tape them together.

Printable Paper Cone Template

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Making a Paper Cone Using the Disc Method

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  1. 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.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Funnel or Cone from Paper
    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.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Funnel or Cone from Paper
    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.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Funnel or Cone from Paper
    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.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Funnel or Cone from Paper
    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.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Making a Paper Cone Using the Folding Method

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Funnel or Cone from Paper
    [1] 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]
    • 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]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Funnel or Cone from Paper
    [4] 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] One hand should be used for each corner.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Funnel or Cone from Paper
    [6] 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.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Funnel or Cone from Paper
    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]
    • 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.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Funnel or Cone from Paper
    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.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Specializing Your Cone

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  1. 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]
    • Parchment paper is a good choice if you're making a funnel to bake with.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Funnel or Cone from Paper
    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.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Funnel or Cone from Paper
    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.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Funnel or Cone from Paper
    [9] 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.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Why does the tape need to be inside the cone?
    Community Answer
    This 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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 31 Helpful 66
  • Question
    How can I make a flask with paper?
    Community Answer
    Paper will not hold alcohol - or any other liquid - for any extended period of time.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 71 Helpful 83
  • Question
    How can I decorate the cone? I need some suggestions.
    Community Answer
    You 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."
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      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.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF2VFWL4nGI
      2. ↑ https://www.firstpalette.com/quick-how-to/cone-hat.html
      3. ↑ http://www.enchantedlearning.com/tracing/triangle2/
      4. ↑ http://www.pastrywiz.com/decor/howto.htm
      5. ↑ http://www.pastrywiz.com/decor/howto.htm
      6. ↑ http://www.pastrywiz.com/decor/howto.htm
      7. ↑ http://www.pastrywiz.com/decor/howto.htm
      8. ↑ https://www.firstpalette.com/quick-how-to/cone-hat.html
      9. ↑ 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!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Gregor Romero

        Dec 12, 2016

        "I'm going to make a cone for a bird house. The circle method is probably going to be the easiest since I will ..." more
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