Welcome to this tutorial for the Origami Snail, a wonderful model designed by Toshie Takahama. Featuring a round shell, a long body, and two twisted tentacles, this little friend is surprisingly lifelike.
The folding process relies on precise layering and narrowing techniques, which slowly build the structure needed for the “inflated” shell. While some steps require patience, the reward is a sturdy, 3D model that stands on its own.
To create a perfect garden scene, try folding an Origami Green Leaf to serve as a home for your new little friend. Just like our display image below.
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
- Total steps: 21
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Designer: Toshie Takahama
Material
To create a finished snail measuring 8.5 cm by 4.5 cm, you will need to start with a 15 cm x 15 cm square sheet of paper.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Place the paper in a diamond shape, and with the desired display side face up. Fold and unfold the paper in half both horizontally and vertically to create a cross-shaped crease pattern in the center.
Step 2
Turn over the paper from left to right. Fold the paper in half by bringing the bottom right edge up to the top left edge. Crease and unfold. Repeat by folding the top right edge to the bottom left. Crease and unfold.
Step 3
Based on these existing creases, bring the top, left, and right points to the bottom point. Flatten the fold to form a smaller square.
Step 4
On the top layer, fold the top-left and top-right edges to meet the center vertical crease. Crease firmly and unfold.
Step 5
Pick up the top flap on the right side and pull it up so it stands straight up. Open the flap and press it down flat, using the creases you made in Step 4 to make it into a diamond shape (pics 1-3).
Take the left-side top flap of this new diamond and fold it over to the right side (pics 4-5).
Step 6
Repeat on the left side.
Lift and squash the left-side top layer, then fold the right-side flap of the new diamond over to the left side.
Step 7
Turn over from left to right, then repeat Step 4.
Step 8
Repeat Step 5 and Step 6 on this side to finish the base.
Pro Tip
Starting with Step 9, pay close attention to the folding order to avoid confusion. Carefully follow the visual guides and ensure you fold only a single layer at a time to keep it right.
On the left, you will perform two 1/2 folds. On the right, we have optimized the three-part design. In Pic 4, fold the edge 1–2mm past the edge before unfolding to create the perfect guide.
Step 9
Fold the right-side top layer over to the left. Fold the bottom-left edge of this same layer to the center line. Then, fold that same edge to the center line one more time to make it very thin (pics 1-3).
Fold the bottom-right edge of the right flap over to the left, slightly over the edge you just created (about 1-2mm). Crease it firmly, leave a crease, and unfold (pics 4-5).
Fold the same bottom right edge to align with the crease you just made (pic 6).
Fold the newly formed bottom right edge to meet the center vertical line (pics 7-8).
Step 10
Take the top flap on the left and fold it over to the right (pic 1).
Repeat one more time, fold the top layer on the left and over to the right (pic 2).
Step 11
Now, mirror the same narrowing folds in Step 9, but right side first, then the left side (pics 1–6). Once you finish narrowing this side, fold the right-side top flap over to the left side (pic 7).
When you’re done, your model should be thin and symmetrical again (pic 8).
Step 12
Turn over from left to right, then fold the right-side top layer over to the left.
Step 13
Repeat the same narrowing folds in Step 9 once more.
Step 14
Fold the top two layers on the left side over to the right.
Step 15
Repeat the narrowing folds from Step 11 on this last section. All sides are now thin and uniform!
Step 16
Flip the model from front to back, making the top corner at the bottom (pic 1).
Fold down the top layer’s top corner (pic 2).
Fold the two flaps beneath out toward the sides. Press firmly to crease, then unfold them (pics 3-5).
Step 17
Take the right-side flap, open it from the right side. Using the creases from Step 16, perform an inside reverse fold by tucking the edge into the model (pics 1–3). Flatten it so the tip now points down toward the right (pics 4–6).
Step 18
Mirror the same inside reverse fold on the left flap. Open the flap, tuck the edge into the model using your existing creases, and flatten it. Both tips should now point naturally toward the sides.
Step 19
Twist the left and right flaps tightly to form the snail’s delicate tentacles (pic 1).
Fold the center tip back up toward the top, then fold it down again backward (pics 2-3).
Fold the remaining top corner down to smooth out the head (pics 4-6).
Step 20
Take the bottom corner and fold it upward along the dashed line (pic 1). Unfold that flap about 90° so it stands straight up from the body (pic 2).
Step 21
Let’s expand the shell. Carefully pull each pair of symmetrical layers outward to slowly inflate the shell. Patience is the key. Round out the shape until the shell looks full and steady.
What’s Next
Congratulations on finishing your snail! This delicate model is a great test of patience. If you enjoyed folding this, you’ll love what’s coming next. Here are some other origami insect ideas to try.
Other Origami Insects Ideas
