I love capybaras because they are the most relaxed animals. So I share this origami version 3D design by Sakurai Ryosuke, it captures their chunky body and calm face using just one square of paper.
You will start with simple folds and slowly build a stout body. The magic happens when you form the tiny ears and blunt muzzle; these two parts really bring the character to life.
If you enjoy making this peaceful friend, you might also like my tutorials on the origami frog or the big buddy-hippo. They look great together as a collection of water-loving animals.
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: 26
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Designer: Sakurai Ryosuke
Material
With a 15 cm square, you will make a capybara about 7.5 long and 4.5 cm tall.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Place the paper with the desired display side face down. Fold and unfold in half vertically, then fold the left and right edges inward to align with the center vertical line. Next, fold the paper in half horizontally, leave a crease, and unfold.
Step 2
Fold the top edge down to the center horizontal crease and then unfold it (Pics 1-2). Next, fold the same top edge down again to meet your new crease (Pic 3), then flip the entire piece over (Pic 4). Finally, fold the top corners down diagonally toward the center (Pic 5).
Step 3
Fold the inner layers of the top flaps diagonally inward (Pic 1) and then unfold these flaps (Pic 2). Flip the entire model over (Pic 3) to create mountain folds on both sides along the red dashed lines (Pic 4). Flatten the paper out (Pic 5).
Step 4
Continue by making mountain folds along the red dash-dot lines and flipping the model over (Pics 1-2). Using these creases as a guide, carefully collapse the upper section and press it flat until it forms a neat square at the top (Pics 3-5).
Step 5
Locate the existing horizontal crease and fold it upward so it sits slightly above the bottom corners of the top square (Pics 1-2). Then, tuck this edge underneath the square and press it flat (Pics 3-5).
Step 6
Flip the model over and fold the bottom edge upward to align with the upper horizontal edge (Pics 1-2). Next, fold the left and right edges inward slightly (Pic 3). Fold all four corners inward to create sharp creases. Once you have creased them well, unfold the corners back to their original position (Pics 4-5).
Step 7
Unfold the right edge (Pic 1) and then refold it along the black dashed line (Pic 2). As you do this, squash the top and bottom corners of the right side toward the center and press them flat (Pics 3-5).
Step 8
Now, mirror the process for the left side to make the model symmetrical again.
Step 9
Focusing on the right side, take the small flap and fold its left corner toward the right along the dashed line (Pic 1). As you do this, gently pull the connected layer of paper and fold it over to the right to flatten it (Pic 2). Mirror these exact steps on the bottom tiny flap (Pics 3-4), and you will see the right edge become more detailed.
Step 10
Mirror these steps on the left side to keep the model symmetrical, and these four corners form the capybara’s four feet.
Step 11
Lift the top triangular layer (Pic 1) and fold the entire model in half along the vertical center line by bringing the left and right sides together (Pic 2). Finally, rotate the piece 90° and lay it flat (Pics 3-4). You can now see the side profile of our capybara starting to take shape.
Step 12
Aha! Now that we have a rough outline of the capybara, it is time to give it some personality by making the eye.
Locate the small triangular flap on the top section and fold the top right corner inward just a little (Pic 1). Unfold it halfway so it stands at a 90-degree angle (Pic 2), then carefully open and squash this tiny flap to create a small, defined shape for the eye (Pic 3).
Step 13
Flip the model over and mirror the same steps to create the other eye. Now that both eyes are in place, our capybara is finally starting to look back at us!
Step 14
Let’s add ears using a very similar technique.
On the top section, fold the indicated bottom corner up (Pic 1), then unfold it halfway to a 90-degree angle (Pic 2). To finish the ear, simply open and squash the resulting tiny flap until it lies flat (Pics 3-4).
Step 15
To give the ear more detail, we will perform a petal fold on the small square from the previous step.
Fold the top and bottom right edges to meet the center horizontal crease, crease them very firmly, and then unfold both (Pics 1-2). Next, mountain fold along those two new creases on the top layer, bringing the right corner over to the left while pushing the top and bottom edges toward the center (Pics 3-5).
The paper gets quite thick at this stage, so be sure to press down hard while staying gentle enough to avoid any tears.
Step 16
Flip the model over, let’s make the ear on this side, and mirror the Step 14 squash fold to create a small square.
Step 17
Now, mirror the Step 15 petal fold on this side to finish the second ear.
Step 18
Moving to the muzzle, fold the top left corner inward along the dashed line to leave a sharp crease (Pic 1), and then unfold it (Pics 2-3).
Step 19
Rotate the model 90 degrees so the inner opening faces you and gently spread it open (Pics 1-2). Using the creases you just made, fold the edge inward to tuck the edge inside (Pic 3), then close the model (Pic 4) and rotate it back to the side profile (Pics 5-6).
Step 20
To further refine the head, fold the top edge down and unfold it to leave a guide (Pics 1-2). Next, fold and unfold the top right corner (Pics 3-4) before rotating the model 90° counterclockwise (Pic 5).
Step 21
This step defines the nose!
Rotate the model 90° so the front faces you and gently pull it open (Pics 1-2). Using the creases you just made, mountain fold the side lines while valley folding the center vertical line, then press the top corner down (Pics 3-5). Finally, collapse the section to close it and rotate the model back to its side profile (Pics 6-8).
This little adjustment gives the snout its final, characteristic shape.
Step 22
Now let’s add some volume to the body.
Rotate the model 90° so the back is facing you (Pic 1), then make mountain folds along the red dash-dot lines on both sides to create a large, oval-shaped depression (Pics 2-3). This technique adds depth and gives the capybara a more realistic, 3D appearance. Finally, rotate the piece back to its original side profile (Pic 4).
Step 23
Create two different guidelines on the top right corner. First, fold and unfold the tip along the short dashed line (Pics 1-2). Then, make a larger diagonal fold and unfold it to create a second, longer crease (Pics 3-4).
Step 24
To prep for the final shaping of the rear, rotate the model 90° toward you so the back faces upward (Pic 1). Gently pull the top and bottom sides apart to open the body (Pic 2).
Step 25
We are almost at the finish line! Using the creases from the previous steps, mountain fold along the lines and press the corner inward to tuck it away (Pics 1-2). Rotate the model 90° back to its side profile (Pic 3).
Shape the feet by folding the edges backward along the red dash-dot lines (Pic 4); this small adjustment gives the front leg a slight bend and makes the hind leg sharp.
Step 26
For the final step, flip the model over and shape the feet on this side in the same way, folding the edges backward along the dashed lines. Once both sides are finished, your capybara is complete and ready to stand on its own.
What’s Next
Congratulations on finishing your very own paper capybara! If you had fun building this little guy, take a look at these other origami animal ideas to keep growing your desktop zoo.
Other Origami Animal Ideas
