How to Fold a Pyramid Napkin
The pyramid is the classic standing napkin fold: a neat four-sided pyramid that sits on the plate and makes any table look set by a restaurant. It takes four folds and about two minutes, works with cloth or paper napkins, and is the easiest standing fold to learn first.
Quick answerThe origami pyramid napkin is an easy model folded in 4 steps and about 2 minutes, using only valley folds. You need a square cloth napkin, 40–50 cm (16–20 in), or a large dinner-size paper napkin.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- About 2 min
- Steps
- 4
- Paper
- A square cloth napkin, 40–50 cm (16–20 in), or a large dinner-size paper napkin
Printable Pyramid napkin diagram (PDF)
All 4 steps with pictures on 2 pages, ready to print in color or black and white. Free, no sign-up.
Lay the napkin flat with the wrong side up and turn it so a corner points towards you, like a diamond. Fold the bottom corner up to the top corner, making a triangle with the fold along the bottom.
Tip: swipe the diagram, or use ← → on your keyboard. Space plays and pauses.
All steps
Step-by-step instructions
The same 4 steps as the animation above, written out so you can fold away from the screen.
Step 1
Lay the napkin flat with the wrong side up and turn it so a corner points towards you, like a diamond. Fold the bottom corner up to the top corner, making a triangle with the fold along the bottom.
Step 2
Fold the left corner up to the top point, then the right corner up to the top point. The triangle becomes a square standing on one corner, with a seam down the middle.
Step 3
Turn the napkin over, keeping the points at the top.
Step 4
Fold the square in half by bringing the bottom point up to the top point, so it becomes a triangle again.
Finished
Pick the napkin up by the middle of the folded bottom edge and let the two halves fall open underneath, so it stands on the plate as a four-sided pyramid. Press the bottom edges lightly so it sits steady.
About the origami pyramid napkin
The pyramid napkin is one of the standard folds taught to waiters and hotel staff, because it is quick, symmetrical and stands on its own. It is built from three simple ideas: a diagonal triangle, the two side corners brought up to the top to make a square, and a final fold in half. When you lift it by the middle, the two halves of the square fall open into a four-sided pyramid.
Because every step is a plain valley fold, it is the best first fold for anyone learning napkin folding, and children can help set the table with it. The same opening move — triangle, then corners to the top — is also the start of several other standing folds, so it is worth learning well.
For Thanksgiving and Christmas tables, pyramids look smart in deep, solid colors and give each place a little height without blocking the view across the table. Pair them with the silverware pocket for a buffet, or the Christmas tree napkin for a festive dinner.
Seasonal · Thanksgiving
Fold it for Thanksgiving
The pyramid napkin works on the Thanksgiving table too. See napkin folds, place cards and gratitude crafts on the Thanksgiving page.
Origami pyramid napkin: questions
What size napkin do I need for a pyramid fold?+
A square dinner napkin of 40–50 cm (16–20 in) is ideal. Smaller cocktail napkins make a tiny pyramid that looks lost on a dinner plate, so open paper napkins to their full size before you start.
Can I fold a pyramid napkin with paper napkins?+
Yes. Unfold a dinner-size paper napkin into its full square and follow the same four steps. Paper is lighter than cloth, so press every fold firmly and stand the pyramid on the plate rather than beside it.
Why does my napkin pyramid fall over?+
Usually the creases are too soft or the fabric is too floppy. Iron the folds, use a slightly stiffer or starched napkin, and make sure the points met exactly in step 2 so the weight is balanced.
Is the pyramid a good napkin fold for Thanksgiving?+
It is one of the most popular, because it stands up on each plate and can be folded the evening before. Use autumn colors such as rust, mustard or deep green and lean a place card against the front.
How far ahead can I fold the napkins?+
Cloth napkins can be folded a day ahead and stored flat in the triangle shape from step 4. Open them into pyramids when you set the table.
Fold this next
Silverware pocket napkin
The silverware pocket is a slim napkin fold with a diagonal band across the front that holds a knife, fork and spoon. It is folded flat in seven quick steps from a square napkin, takes about three minutes, and is the most practical fold for buffets, picnics and holiday dinners where guests carry their own place setting.
Christmas tree napkin
The Christmas tree napkin is a flat, festive fold: a tall tree with four stacked tiers that lies on the plate. It is made from a square napkin folded in quarters, with each layer folded up a little short of the one before and the sides folded in to shape the tree. It takes about five minutes and looks best in green or red cloth napkins.
Paper Hat
The origami paper hat is the classic triangular newspaper hat, often worn as a pirate or admiral's hat, folded from a single rectangle with no tape. It is an easy model that takes about three minutes, and a double sheet of newspaper makes one big enough for a child or an adult to wear.
Envelope
The origami envelope is a small rectangular letter envelope folded from a single square that locks shut by tucking the top flap under the bottom one, so it needs no glue or tape. It is an easy model with four folds and takes about three minutes.