Origami Ant: Step-by-Step Instructions

I remember watching ants March across my desk as a kid. I thought they’d be impossible to fold. Too many legs, too much detail.

But not every ant needs many tiny feet to look like an ant. This version keeps it simple. You get the sharp jaw, bent antennae, and rounded abdomen that look incredibly realistic, while no tricky legs are required.

I love displaying mine on an origami palm leaf, which makes the ant look like it’s searching for food! You can also pair it with my origami ladybug or origami cicada to create a lively backyard scene on your desk.

If you are new to origami, start here from our beginner guide to know the basics and how to read the step-by-step instructions.

Folding time: 40 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm
Total steps: 38
Difficulty: Intermediate

Material

We used 15 cm paper, and our finished ant measured about 10 cm long.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

Place the paper with the desired display side face down. Fold and unfold the paper in half diagonally in both directions to create an X-shaped crease pattern in the center.

Step 2

Fold the paper in half edge-to-edge in both directions.

Step 3

Fold both top and bottom edges inward to align with the center horizontal crease, and unfold (Pics 1-2). Fold both the top corners down to the center intersection point, and unfold both (Pics 3-4). Fold both the left and right edges inward to align with the center vertical crease (Pics 5-6).

Step 4

Now we’ll use a squash fold to shape the top of the paper. Open the top-left and top-right corners and press them flat along the existing creases (Pics 1-2). Take the bottom corner of the new triangular flaps and fold it all the way to the top (Pics 3-4).

Step 5

On the upper part, fold the top-left corner down to the right so the left edge aligns with the lower horizontal crease (Pic 1), then unfold it (Pic 2). Repeat this on the right side (Pics 3-4). You should now have an X-pattern diagonal crease at the top.

Step 6

Using the X-pattern you just made, collapse the upper section by pushing the left and right sides inward (Pic 1). Bring the top point down to the bottom (Pic 2). Once pressed flat, you will have a diamond shape at the top (Pic 3).

Step 7

On the top diamond layer, fold the left corner all the way over to the right (Pic 1). Next, take that same corner and fold it back toward the center (Pic 2) to create a pleat. Crease this new fold firmly, then unfold only the last step (Pics 3-4).

Step 8

Let’s balance the model by mirroring those steps on the right side.

Fold the left corner back to its original position to restore the diamond shape. Next, fold the right corner over to the left (Pics 1-2) and pleat it back to the center as before (Pic 3). After unfolding that last fold (Pic 4), return the right corner to its starting position (Pic 5).

Step 9

We will use a kind of petal fold to narrow the top section.

Lift the bottom corner of the diamond (both layers) and fold it upward along the black dashed line (Pics 1-2). As you pull it up, a pocket will form. Gently push the left and right edges of this pocket inward and press everything flat to create a hexagon shape (Pics 3-4).

Step 10

First, lift the left parallelogram flap to open the pocket inside (Pic 1). Lift the inner top layer and fold its edge toward the center along the dashed line connecting the red dots (Pic 2), then return the outer flap to its original position and press it flat (Pic 3).

To finish, fold the newly narrowed inner flap outward and unfold it (Pics 4-6).

Step 11

Mirror the process for the right side.

Step 12

Restore the left side to its original shape by unfolding the inner layer.

Step 13

Take that same inner top layer on the left side and narrow it again, but this time by folding the edge backward along the existing crease (Pics 1-3). Just as before, fold the flap outward (Pic 4).

Step 14

As in Step 12, restore the right side to its original shape by unfolding the inner layer.

Step 15

Mirror the process on the right side. Perform a mountain fold for the edge of the inner top layer along the existing crease, then fold the flap outward. Both sides should be identical.

Step 16

Focus on the bottom section to narrow the ant’s body. Fold both the left and right edges inward to meet the center vertical line, then unfold both (Pics 1-2). Flip the model over (Pics 3-4).

Step 17

Sharpen the left and right mountain creases (Pic 1). Fold the bottom edge upward along the horizontal dashed line, which will naturally open a pocket (Pic 2). Tuck the side edges inward and press the whole section flat (Pics 3-5).

Step 18

Rotate the model 90 degrees so that the bottom point faces you (Pic 1). Flatten the structure by collapsing the two top layers upward and the two bottom layers downward along the center line (Pic 2). Rotate the model 90 degrees clockwise (Pic 3), then lay it flat (Pics 4-5).

Step 19

Work with the left and right flaps tucked under the top diamond. Reach underneath and fold both the left and right flaps outward and downward until they are perfectly horizontal. Crease them firmly, then unfold both and return to their original positions.

Step 20

First, rotate the model 90 degrees (Pic 1). Use the creases you just made to perform an inside reverse fold on the right-side flaps (Pics 2-4). Press flat, rotate 90 degrees to lay the model flat again, and ensure the flaps are positioned horizontally (Pics 5-6).

Step 21

Similarly, perform an inside reverse fold on the left flap, ensuring it is perfectly horizontal after laying it flat again.

Step 22

Fold the top corner of the diamond down to the center point, crease it firmly, and then unfold it.

Step 23

Rotate the model 90 degrees (Pic 1), and we will perform an open sink fold on the top of the diamond. Gently spread the paper open (Pic 2), sharpen the four creases from the previous step, and transfer them into mountain folds. Push the center down so it collapses inside the model (Pics 3-4), and flatten the layers (Pic 5). Finally, rotate the model 90 degrees back to its original orientation (Pics 6-7).

Step 24

Focus on the left side to prepare for the ant’s head. Fold the left edge (both layers) over to the right along the diagonal dashed line. Crease it very firmly, and then unfold it.

Step 25

Continue shaping the ant’s head, rotate the model 90 degrees (Pic 1), and open the layers. Using the creases you just made, perform an outside reverse fold by wrapping the tip downward and over the main body (Pics 2-4). Finally, rotate the model back 90 degrees and press it flat (Pics 5-6).

Step 26

This step is all about rearranging the layers to let the antennae stand out.

Lift both the head layer and the antenna flap (Pics 1-2). Gently shift the layers so the antenna flap moves to the front, then press them back down (Pics 3-4). The antenna should now sit on top of the head layer instead of being tucked behind it (Pic 5).

Step 27

Turn over the model, and mirror the previous process on this side to adjust the head and antenna.

Step 28

Fold the tip of the “jaw” upward slightly. Crease it firmly, then unfold it.

Step 29

Rotate the model 90° to see the front of the head (Pic 1). Gently open the layers (Pic 2) and, using the crease you just made, perform an inside reverse fold to tuck the tip of the mandibles inward (Pics 3-4). Finally, rotate the model back 90° (Pics 5-6).

Step 30

Focus on the antenna flap on this side. Fold the left edge down to align with the bottom-right edge, crease well, and unfold (Pics 1-2). Pinch the top corner to sharpen it, then squash the flap flat to the right (Pics 3-5).

Step 31

First, rotate the model 90° toward you (Pic 1). Gently open the layers of the antenna and perform an inside reverse fold to make the tip point down (Pics 2-3). Rotate the model back 90° and press it flat (Pics 4-5).

Step 32

Flip the model from left to right, and mirror Step 30 for the antenna flap on this side, making sure the two flaps match.

Step 33

Similarly, perform an inside reverse fold on this flap to point the tip downward to finish both antennae.

Step 34

Now, let’s tidy up the middle section to create a clean body line. Rotate the model 45°, then mountain fold the top layer’s bottom corner backward (Pic 1). Next, fold the bottom layer’s corner upward (Pic 2) to meet it. Lay the model flat again, to see the flat bottom edge for the ant’s thorax (Pic 3).

Step 35

To start shaping the abdomen (the back section), focus on the large right flap. Fold the top edge downward along the black dashed line (Pic 1), crease it very firmly to leave a clean guideline, and then unfold it (Pic 2).

Step 36

To refine the abdomen’s shape, we’ll make a kind of reverse fold.

Rotate the model 90° and open the right section (Pics 1-2). Change the previous guide creases into mountain folds and push the top and bottom edges downward. Collapse the layers together to taper the tail, then rotate it 90° back to its side profile (Pics 3-5).

Step 37

Fold the top-right corner downward (Pic 1). Crease it firmly to leave a crease, then unfold it back to its original position (Pics 2-3).

Step 38

Now, let’s use that crease for the final adjustment to the abdomen. Rotate the model 90° and open the right section slightly (Pics 1-2). Using your guideline, perform an inside reverse fold by tucking the tip inward between the layers (Pics 3-4). Rotate the model back and press it flat (Pics 5-6) to finish the rounded tail.