Easy Origami Masu Box Tutorial

easy origami masu box tutoiral paper kawaii 01
easy origami masu box tutoiral paper kawaii 02

Learn how to fold an easy origami masu box from one sheet of square paper. This method gives you the perfect origami box and saves time. Great for beginners.
I know there are plenty of origami masu box tutorials on the internet already, on my YouTube channel there is one already as well. But after making masu boxes over and over again for different projects, I think I have the method perfected – and I’m sure this particular folding sequence is favoured by a lot of people.

A tiny change at the start makes assembling the box a lot simpler. A lot of tutorials have extra steps and more creases making the box less “clean”, including my old video on the box. If you want to make a lid, you can simply make another masu box, but this time, don’t fold the edges all the way to the center at 2:10 leave a gap of about 2mm on all edges. Your box will be a little bit wider.

There’s many many origami boxes with use this method, you can check out my modified masu boxes collection at the end of this post or click here to do a search for “Masu Box”. For a diagram of this origami box, check out the Origami Diagrams page (near the bottom). I also have a photo tutorial of this, here.

Easy Origami Masu Box

Design: Traditional
Level: ★★☆☆☆

You will need:

▸ 1 sheet of square paper.
Paper size example: 15 x 15 cm
Final model size: 5.3 x 5.3 cm
To get a box of a specific size, just triple the width. For example, if you want a box that’s 10 x 10 cm, you’d need paper that’s 30 x 30 cm.

amazon origami recommendations paper kawaii

You can check out my personal favourite origami papers, paper craft tools and more on my Amazon.com store.

Masu Box Dividers

Masu Box Variations & Lids

origami diamond divider box tutorial paper kawaii 05
Origami Diamond Divider Box Tutorial - 5 Sections
August 27, 2021
An origami box with 5 sections. The diamond divider box is a box fitted with 4 gem shaped boxes and a square in the middle. No glue required.
origami wrapped box lid tutorial paper kawaii 04
Origami Wrapped Lid & Box Tutorial - Non Modular
December 10, 2017
A tutorial for a pretty wrapped or layered style origami lid to fit a masu box. The lid is non-modular, made from 1 sheet of square paper.
origami gem box lid tutorial paper kawaii 02 opt
New Origami Gem Box & Lid Tutorial
November 26, 2017
Learn how to make a pretty origami gem box and lid. This intermediate diamond shaped origami box is perfect for giving jewellery gifts.
origami house box tutorial paper kawaii 03
Origami House Box Tutorial - Cute Gift Box
December 9, 2016
Learn how to make an origami house box. This pretty house shaped box is a unique way to give a gift. Or use as a little house for toys.
origami star handle lid insert2
Origami Star Handle Insert for the Frame Lid
July 2, 2016
Learn how to make a unique origami star handle that fits into the origami frame lid. This is super easy to make and fits on a simple masu box.
origami frame lid tutorial 01
Pretty Origami Frame Lid Tutorial
June 30, 2016
How to make an origami frame lid which looks pretty on its own or can be used as a picture frame, name cards or other origami to fit into.
origami masu box star variation 02
Origami Masu Box Star Variation Tutorial
June 28, 2016
Make a star variation of the origami masu box. Instead of folding the flaps in at the end they are folded back out. An easy box to make.
tall origami pentagonal box 03
Tall Origami Pot Tutorial - Five Sided
April 7, 2016
Learn how to make a pentagonal five sided tall origami pot, this origami box is great for pencils, brushes, you can make a matching lid.
origami tall box lid instructions 04
Tall Origami Box - Video Tutorial
January 4, 2016
With these instructions you can learn how to make a useful tall origami box, which can be used as a lid as well.
origami paper storage box instructions 03
Origami Paper Storage Box Instructions
December 11, 2015
Learn how to make your own custom origami paper storage box. You can make this box any size you like, use this box to package your paper.
Modular Origami Stristed Masu Box 03
Modular Origami Masu Box Lid - 'Twist'
December 10, 2015
Learn how to make a modular origami 'twisted' masu box - with the design on the lid. The 'twist' looks a bit like a pinwheel.
origami masu box lid variations paper kawaii 01
Origami Masu Box Lid Variations
October 20, 2015
Learn how to make two variations of the traditional origami Masu box to use as the lid. One looks like a frame and the other, a gem.
Origami Gem Gift Box dipyramid 04
Origami Bipyramid Gem Box Instructions
October 18, 2015
Learn how to make a pretty gem shaped origami gift box. These boxes are easier to make than they look, starting from a regular Masu box.
shallow masu box tutorial paper kawaii 01
Square & Shallow Origami Masu Box Tutorial
August 23, 2014
Learn how to fold a useful shallow origami box, folded the same way as a masu box, it becomes a nice short, wide box.

Origami Projects Incorporating Masu Boxes

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Jocelyn
Jocelyn
1 year ago

So cool! I didn’t know there were multiple ways of making this box! The way I was used to making it was muck more complicated than this. Thanks again for sharing Chrissy!

mrmissingno
mrmissingno
2 years ago

i made a masu box that looks like a strawberry :3
(red origami paper with black dots i added myself)

Niki
Niki
5 years ago

Do anyone else’s models turn out kind of sloppy and floppy? haha. Is it just that I’m a beginner (well, rediscovering, technically, BUT it was many years ago and even then I was no expert) and they’ll just turn out better with practice? Or well, obviously they will because everything does, but could the paper actually have something to do with it? I AM using paper that was sold for origami, but maybe it’s softer to work better with intricate models (I’m using it for boxes, dividers, envelope folds, bigger things like that without a ton of tiny meticulous folding).

Schlenker, Claudia
Schlenker, Claudia
5 years ago

I do enjoy your tutorials and are very grateful. I have learned a lot from you. Above all I love boxes and tatoos and I am always glad to receive your newsletter.

Thank you so much and regards from the southern part of Germany !
Claudia

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