Today, we’re diving into a design that’s a true prehistoric classic: the Triceratops. This particular design has an interesting history; it traces back to Kimura Yoshihisa (see the original here). Over time, the origami community has improved it to make this final version.
This model looks very realistic. You will learn how to use reverse folds to make the three horns. We will also use a pleat fold to make the tail. It is a fun challenge for any folder.
If you like this, you should also try our Origami Brachiosaurus. While this Triceratops is wide and strong, the Brachiosaurus is tall and slender. They have a similar difficulty level and look great together.
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: 24
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Designer: Kimura Yoshihisa
Material
Use a 15 cm x 15 cm square of origami paper to create a finished triceratops measuring approximately 10 cm x 5.8 cm.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Place the paper with the desired display side face down. Fold and unfold along both diagonals to create an ‘X’ crease pattern.
Step 2
Fold and unfold the paper both vertically and horizontally.
Step 3
Fold all four corners to meet the center intersection point,
Step 4
Turn the paper over. Fold the top and bottom edges to the center horizontal crease, then unfold. Flip it back over and fold the left and right edges to the center vertical crease.
Step 5
Starting with the top: open the top-left and top-right corners and squash-fold them toward the center, using the existing mountain creases indicated by the red dash-dot-dot line as a guide. Flatten them into two triangles that meet at the midpoint, forming a diamond shape.
Repeat this on the bottom to form two triangles. Finally, fold the top corners of these new bottom triangles down to meet their bottom points.
Step 6
Flip the paper horizontally (left to right). Fold the top-left and top-right edges toward the center along the black dashed lines (which connect the top peak to the midpoints of the sides). Crease firmly, then flip the paper back to the front. (pictures 1-3)
Finally, fold the bottom corners of the two small top flaps outward. (pictures 4-5)
Step 7
Flip the paper horizontally (left to right), then rotate it 90 degrees counterclockwise. Finally, fold it in half horizontally from bottom to top. Now, your model looks like a “mouse”.
Step 8
Fold the top edge down to the left, aligning it with the slanted left edge (Picture 1).
Fold the bottom-left corner of this top flap to the right along the black dashed line (Picture 2).
Tip: The black dashed line starts exactly at the intersection point (marked in red) where the top edge meets the layer underneath, and it runs perpendicular to that top edge.
Finally, unfold both steps.
Step 9
Rotate the model 90° backward to stand it upright, then gently open and expand it from the bottom (pictures 1-2).
Mountain-fold the left section of the center horizontal line and pinch it. Simultaneously, lift the right part along the pre-creases made in the previous step, indicated by black dashed lines (picture 3).
Tips: (Since the two pre-creases were originally mountain folds, pre-fold them as valley folds; this makes the lift much easier.)
Collapse the model by pushing the right section to the left, then close the model back up (pictures 4-5).
Flatten and rotate it 90° back to lay it flat (pictures 6-7).
Step 10
Rotate the model 90° forward to stand it upright, then open and expand it from the bottom (pictures 1-2).
Fold the left corner of the top layer to the right side along the right-side vertical crease. This completes a pleat fold (picture 3).
Close the model back up and rotate it 90° backward to lay it flat (pictures 4-6).
Step 11
On the right side (the head), fold the bottom-left edge of the top layer to align with the right edge of the short section beneath. Crease firmly and unfold (Pics 1-2).
Lift the top layer of the head and gently open the pocket from the bottom. Using the creases you just made, perform an inside reverse fold by tucking the corner inward into the pocket (Pics 3-4).
Close the pocket and press the layer down to lay it flat (Pics 5-6).
Step 12
Turn the model over from left to right to work on the other side.
Step 13
Repeat the inside reverse fold from Step 11 on this side. Follow the same logic: crease, open the pocket, and tuck the corner inward.
Step 14
Focus on the top edge of the head’s top layer. Fold the left corner over to meet the right corner, but only pinch the very top to leave a small vertical reference crease. Unfold it.
Step 15
On the top edge of the head, identify the midpoint between the two existing vertical creases (marked with a red dot). Locate the intersection where the head meets the “foot” layer beneath (marked with a blue dot) (Pic 1).
Fold the top edge down so that the right edge of the flap aligns with a line connecting those two dots. Crease firmly and unfold (Pic 2).
Now, fold the bottom-left edge up to align with that same imaginary line (from the lower intersection to the top midpoint). Crease and unfold (Pics 3–4).
Using the two new creases, pinch the left corner together to form a standing flap (Pics 5–6).
Squash-fold or push this new flap upward and press it flat against the head to finish the horn (Pics 7–8).
Step 16
Flip the model from left to right. Similarly, fold the right corner over to meet the left corner, but only pinch the very top to leave a small vertical reference crease. Unfold it.
Step 17
Repeat the horn shaping from Step 15 on this side of the head. Use the same midpoint and intersection logic (Pics 1–4), then pinch and squash-fold the flap upward to finish (Pics 5–8).
Step 18
Lift both layers of the head and swing them to the left. Simultaneously, push and tuck the bottom-right corner toward the left until the newly formed edge is vertical. Then, turn over from left to right (pics 1-3).
Mirror the same shape step on this side. Bring up both layers of the head and swing to the right side. Push and tuck the bottom-left corner toward the right to create a matching vertical edge (pic 3).
Rotate to make the head opening face you, then press everything flat, then rotate to lay it flat again (pics 4-6).
Step 19
Fold the tip of the snout upward along the black dashed line. Crease firmly and unfold (pics 1-2).
Rotate the model 90° forward to make its back face you, then gently open it from the bottom (pics 3-4).
Using the creases you just made, perform an outside reverse fold. This involves pushing the tip outward and up so that it wraps around the edges of the snout (pic 5).
Close the model, ensuring the new horn is pointing upward, and press it flat (pics 6-8).
Step 20
On the right side (the rear), fold the bottom corner backward along the vertical red dash-dot-dot line. This creates the first hind leg (pic 1).
Turn the model over from left to right (Pic 2).
Repeat the same fold on this side, fold the bottom corner of the rear backward along the matching vertical line (Pic 3).
Ensure both legs are symmetrical, and now your Triceratops can stand evenly on a flat surface.
Step 21
Fold the hind leg layer to the right side, turn over from left to right, and fold the hind leg layer on this side to the left.
Step 22
Next, we’ll shape the tail. Fold the tail upward along the black dashed line. Crease it very firmly, then unfold it back to its original position.
Step 23
Rotate so the tail part faces you, then gently open it from the bottom (pics 1-2).
Use the creases from the previous step (red dash-dot lines) as mountain folds (pic 3). At the same time, follow the existing creases (black dashed lines) as valley folds. Swing both mountain-folded sections over to the right along these valley lines to complete a pleat fold (pics 4-5).
Close the model back up and press it flat. The tail should now be neatly tucked and angled downward (pic 5-6).
Step 24
Fold the hind leg layer back down. Turn the model over from left to right, fold the second hind leg layer down to match.
Your Triceratops is now finished!
What’s Next
And there you have it! Your prehistoric friend is ready. Whether he’s guarding your bookshelves or joining a paper dinosaur herd, he’s sure to stand out. Happy folding!
Other Origami Dinosaur Ideas
