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Kami (origami paper)

Kami is standard origami paper: thin, crisp and inexpensive, usually sold in squares colored on one side and white on the other.

The word kami simply means paper in Japanese, and it forms the second half of the word origami. Kami holds a sharp crease, is thin enough for models with many layers, and comes in standard sizes such as 7.5 cm, 15 cm and 25 cm squares. The two-sided coloring makes diagrams easier to follow because you can see at a glance which side faces up.

Kami is the best all-round paper for learning. Its main limitations are that it tears if worked too hard at sharp points and that its white side can show on some models. Choose the 15 cm size for most models, and larger sheets for beginners or children. Our printable origami paper tool is a free alternative for simple models.

How to choose and use kami

  1. 1

    Pick the size: 15 cm (6 in) squares for most models, 25 cm (10 in) for beginners and children, and 7.5 cm (3 in) for small models such as the Lucky Star.

  2. 2

    Check the color: standard kami is colored on one side and white on the other, which is what most diagrams expect.

  3. 3

    Read the first step of the diagram to see which side starts facing up, colored or white.

  4. 4

    Fold on a hard table and crease with a fingernail; kami is thin enough to take a sharp crease.

  5. 5

    Keep the pack flat and dry so the squares stay square and crisp.

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Common mistakes and how to fix them

  • The paper tears at sharp points

    Kami is thin. Avoid refolding the same point many times, and use a bigger square for models with many layers.

  • The white side shows on the finished model

    Check which side the diagram starts with. Some models need the colored side down at the start, or duo paper with color on both sides.

  • The squares are not quite square

    Cheap packs are sometimes cut unevenly. Test by folding a diagonal; if the corners don’t meet, trim the sheet or pick another.

Practice it on these models

Advanced15 min · 19 steps

Paper Crane

The origami crane is the traditional Japanese orizuru, a bird with spread wings folded from a single square without cuts or glue. It is an advanced model: expect about 15 minutes for your first one, mostly spent learning the petal fold and inside reverse fold.

Easy5 min · 8 steps

Origami Heart

The origami heart is a flat, symmetrical heart shape folded from one square, ideal for slipping into a card or envelope. It is an easy model that takes around five minutes and uses only simple valley and mountain folds.

Easy3 min · 3 steps

Tulip

The origami tulip is a flat flower head made from a single square in three folds, designed to be joined to a separate folded stem. It is one of the easiest models on the site and takes about three minutes.

Easy3 min · 6 steps

Dog Face

The origami dog face is a simple puppy head with floppy ears folded from one square, and children often draw on eyes and a nose to finish it. It is very easy and takes about three minutes, making it ideal for first-time folders.

Kami: questions

What is origami paper called?+

Origami paper is called kami, the Japanese word for paper (it is the 'gami' in origami). In shops it is sold simply as origami paper or kami: thin, crisp squares that are colored on one side and white on the other. Other papers used for origami have their own names, such as washi (soft, handmade-style Japanese paper), foil paper, chiyogami (patterned) and tissue foil.

What size is kami paper?+

The standard sizes are 15 cm (6 in) squares for most models, 7.5 cm (3 in) for small models such as lucky stars, and 25 cm (10 in) for beginners, children and complex models. 15 cm is the size most diagrams, including ours, assume.

Is kami the same as washi?+

No. Kami is the thin, inexpensive machine-made paper used for everyday folding. Washi is a traditional Japanese paper made from long plant fibres; it is softer, stronger and often textured or patterned, and it is used for display models. Fold a practice model in kami first and the final one in washi.

Can I use printer paper instead of kami?+

Yes, for simple models. Cut a sheet of US Letter or A4 into a square (our guide shows how) or print ready-made squares from our printable origami paper page. Printer paper is thicker than kami, so models with many layers, such as the crane, are harder to fold neatly from small squares.

Is kami paper the same on both sides?+

Usually not: standard kami is colored on one side and white on the other, which is why diagrams tell you which side to start with. Double-sided (duo) kami with a different color on each side is also sold, and it suits models where both sides show.

Related folds and bases