What is the Origami Paper Size Calculator?
People often ask me how to work out what size paper they need for a specific sized box.
I have created this origami paper size calculator so that you can work out what size paper you need OR what sized box/model you will end up with.
This is especially helpful if it’s an origami box which has one size for the box and a different size for the lid. (use the second calculator)
Example: You want your origami box to be at least ’10cm’ wide (in order to fit a gift), you can use this to figure out what sized paper to start with.
If you are trying to figure out what size paper to use when the origami model starts with a non-square, check out the Origami Paper Ratio Calculator.
Origami Paper Size Calculator:
In order to use the calculator, you will need to have some info: the paper size used and the resulting model size.
So either the tutorial has it listed (most tutorials on my website have this info), or you will have to make the model with a test sheet and note the results.
Note:
There is (usually) no way to get an exact specific sized box, instead – go for the largest side of your object and use that as the ‘Required size’ (maybe add a couple cms). Also this calculator may only work for models that are made with square paper – although you can enter the longer side if it’s not and it may work 🙂 .
Models That Use 2 Different Sizes:
This is for if the origami model has 2 sheets of paper that are different sizes.
For example, say there is a modular box that starts with 20 x 20 cm and 12 x 12 cm paper – what sized paper to use if you want to start with 30 x 30 cm as the larger paper.
Note:
If you’ve worked out the size of non-square paper, after you have your longer size, visit the paper ratio calculator to get the correct size of the other edge.
You can check out my personal favourite origami papers, paper craft tools and more on my Amazon.com store.
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Sorry to hear you encountered this, not sure why that would happen. My system shows you successfully signed up, and you should have gotten a confirmation email, you’ll need to click the confirmation link in the email, if you can’t find it please check the junkmail 🙂
Just wanted to let you know that your calculator is reversed, when I enter paper size I get a model size that is much larger than the initial paper size and when I enter the desired model size I get a very small paper size to start with.
Hi Rach, thanks for letting me know, I think it is all fixed now 🙂
is there a loose formula for deciding paper size to use for a chosen finished project? ie: what size paper to use for a little 1″ x 2″ dress, or a coat that might be used for that dress… or a little men’s shirt and jacket that fits over the shirt… a tie for that shirt/jacket… etc…
Sorry for not replying, I guess I didn’t see your comment. To work these things out, you really need the size of the finished model and the size of the paper. The formula is in the first calculator above. Otherwise, I suppose without all of that, check out the size of the paper and the finished model roughly just by eye, you should be about to make a pretty good guess such as “the paper was about twice the size of the model”.
I can’t subscribe you
I need to make two rectangular boxes that fit together (box and lid box).
Box: L: 10,5 cm; W: 7 cm; D: 7cm
Can you help me, please?
OMFG AWESOME SAUSE
oh thank god i found this page … i was going insane trying to figure out how to fit my gift in a masu box!! i got my friend some pokemon cards and now they are fitted inside a nice origami box yay!!!!!!!
You’re welcome Elysia 😀