How to Fold an Origami Milk Carton

Makoto Yamaguchi designed this cute origami milk carton. It is suitable for beginners because the steps are simple and logical. You only need basic folding skills.

You will need two separate sheets of paper for the outer shell and the inner box. You will fold each part individually and slide them together at the end. This makes the final carton sturdy enough to hold small treats. This method is very similar to our Origami Candy Box.

You can use it as a cute desk organizer or a gift box. Check out my collection of 20+ origami boxes for more creative origami boxes.

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: 30 minutes
• Paper: 15×15 cm / 2
• Total steps: 21
• Difficulty: Easy
• Designer: Makoto Yamaguchi

Material

• We used two 15 cm squares to make a milk carton measuring approximately 4 cm wide and 6.5 cm tall. Using patterned paper will make your carton even cuter.
• Keep a ruler nearby, as you need it to measure and divide sections accurately.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

Take out one piece of paper, and place it with the desired display side face down.

Fold the left edge about 1.5 cm to the right (Pic 1). Next, bring this new left edge over to meet the right edge (Pic 2). Crease firmly, then unfold the last fold (Pic 3).

Step 2

Fold the left edge over to meet that center vertical crease you just made (Pic 1). Now, looking at the narrow rectangle on the left, fold its right edge over to its left edge. Make sure to pull out the tucked-in layer as you fold (Pic 2).

Press down firmly to secure the lines, then unfold the paper completely (Pics 3–4).

Step 3

Bring the right edge over to meet the first vertical crease on the right side (Pic 1). Then unfold it (Pic 2). Finally, flip the paper over toward you so the white side is facing up (Pics 3–4).

Step 4

Counting from the right, take the first vertical crease and fold it over to align with the second vertical crease (Pic 1). Press down, then unfold it (Pic 2). Flip the paper toward you so the colored side faces up again (Pics 3–4).

Step 5

Fold the paper in half horizontally, crease it well, and unfold (Pics 1–2). Next, fold the bottom edge up to meet that center horizontal crease (Pic 3).

While keeping the bottom folded, bring the top edge down to meet the new bottom edge, press firmly to leave a crease, and then unfold the final fold (Pics 4–6).

Step 6

Fold the top edge downward to meet the highest horizontal crease. Press down firmly, then unfold it (Pics 1-2). Flip the entire sheet of paper over (Pics 3–4).

Step 7

Divide the area between the first and second horizontal creases from the top into three equal sections. Fold the second crease upward to meet the second division line from the bottom (Pic 1).

Flip the paper over (Pic 2). On this side, fold the bottom edge of the upper rectangle upward to align with the highest horizontal crease (Pic 3).

Step 8

Pinch the second vertical crease from each side to create mountain folds. Push both folds toward the center along the existing lines.

Step 9

Fold the top edge downward along the highest horizontal crease (Pic 1). Next, lift the left and right edges upward along the existing vertical creases to wrap them toward each other (Pics 2–3). To secure, tuck the narrow left flap into the opening of the right flap (Pics 4–5).

Step 10

Gently pull the side panels apart to expand the body until it “pops” into a 3D shape. This movement naturally forms the roof and creates that iconic milk carton outer shell.

Step 11

Place a new sheet of paper in a diamond orientation with the desired display side down. We will start the inner box part.

Fold the paper in half by bringing the bottom right edge up to the top left edge. Crease and unfold.

Repeat by folding the bottom left edge to the top right. Crease and unfold.

Finally, flip the paper over from left to right.

Step 12

Fold the paper in half vertically, then unfold (Pics 1–2). Next, fold the bottom corner straight up to the top corner, creating a triangle (Pic 3).

Step 13

Fold the bottom edge of the triangle up. Make the height about half the width of your milk carton’s base. Crease it firmly, then unfold it back to the triangle shape.

Step 14

Fold the right corner over to meet the left corner, forming a smaller triangle (Pic 1). Next, take the bottom right corner of this triangle and fold it diagonally to the intersection of the previous creases (Pic 2).

Press down firmly, then unfold the paper completely (Pics 3–5).

Step 15

Locate the tiny square formed by creases in the very center of your paper. Fold the left corner of the paper to the right side. Use the vertical line extending from the left corner of that small center square as your guide (Pic 1). Crease this long vertical line firmly and unfold it (Pic 2).

Repeat this for the right corner by folding it to the left along the line from the right corner of the center square, then unfold (Pics 3-4).

Finally, fold the four corners to the center intersection point (Pics 5-6).

Step 16

Fold the paper in half by bringing the bottom right corner to the top left corner to form a triangle (Pic 1).

Next, take the bottom and top right corners of this triangle and fold them toward the top left corner. Ensure the inner edges of the two newly formed flaps align with the existing horizontal and vertical creases you made earlier (Pics 2).

Press these folds firmly to leave sharp marks, then unfold back to the square shape (Pics 3–5).

Step 17

Mirror the previous step.

Fold the paper diagonally by bringing the bottom-left corner to the top-right corner (Pic 1). Take the two corners of this triangle and fold them toward the top-right corner, aligning their inner edges with your existing grid (Pic 2). Crease firmly, then unfold back to the square (Pics 3–5).

Step 18

Flip the paper over from left to right. Then, rotate it 45° counterclockwise so it sits in a diamond orientation.

Step 19

Pinch the two diagonal creases shown by the red dash-dot line at the top part to form mountain folds (Pic 1). Push these folds toward each other so they meet at the center vertical line (Pic 2).

Fold the resulting small triangle downward to lock the corner in place (Pic 3). Finally, pinch the center vertical edge to sharpen the box’s shape (Pics 4–5).

Step 20

Repeat the same folding process for the remaining three corners. As you finish the final corner, the paper will fully collapse into a box.

Step 21

Slide the finished inner box into the bottom opening of the milk carton shell. Push it in firmly until the base is flush, providing weight and stability to the model.

Finally, use markers or pens to draw your favorite patterns and write “Milk” or other text to complete your custom design.

What’s Next

Congratulations on finishing your milk carton! You can now explore more shapes and sizes in my full guide. Click below to see other step-by-step instructions for making adorable origami boxes.

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