Fold a simple origami cat with separate head and body pieces. This is an easy paper folding project and perfect if you love animals!
Skills Required: None. Get a video at the bottom of the post showing all the folds.
Origami has long been a way to bring a touch of magic to simple sheets of paper, transforming them into animals, plants, and intricate designs with just a few folds.
Today, I’m sharing a project that’s perfect for beginners and cat lovers alike: an origami cat! This design uses two separate pieces of paper—one for the body and one for the head—and only requires basic folds, making it accessible to everyone.
Beyond the crafting table, cats hold a special place in Japanese culture. Known as neko in Japanese, cats have been revered in Japan for centuries. They are often seen as symbols of good luck and protection.
One of the most famous representations of this is the Maneki-neko, or the “beckoning cat,” which is believed to bring prosperity and success to its owner. You’ve likely seen these statues in shops or restaurants, where they greet customers with a raised paw, inviting fortune inside.
In Japanese folklore, cats are also viewed as mysterious and powerful beings. Legends abound of cats possessing supernatural abilities, such as shape-shifting or speaking to humans.
In this tutorial, we’ll capture the spirit of these beloved creatures in paper form, creating an origami cat that’s as charming as it is easy to make. So, grab your paper, and let’s get folding!
How to Fold a Paper Cat
Begin with two 8″ (20 cm) square pieces of paper (or size of your choice), colored on both sides. The size of the paper square(s) will determine the size of the finished cat.
This kitty is assembled from two different pieces of paper. The total height (finished) is 6″ (~15 cm) and 4 1/4″ wide (10.8 cm).
Make the Base Folds
Place your paper on your surface with the points at the top and bottom. Fold in half to make a triangle (shawl fold), then open the paper. Rotate a half turn and fold in half again.
Form the Head
Open the paper up and lay the square on your surface with the inside facing you. Fold up the bottom point to the center and smooth. Bring down the top flap over the last fold.
Fold up the bottom of the top flap as shown. Then flip over horizontally.
Fold down each side flap toward the center, forming a square. Crease.
Fold down the tip of the triangle and fold up both the ears.
Turn the head over and, on the front tab at the bottom, turn down the end to make the nose. Do you see the cat’s face?
Start the Body
Place your paper on your surface with the points at the top and bottom. Fold in half to make a triangle (shawl fold), then open the paper. Rotate a half turn and fold in half again.
Fold in two sides toward the center, meeting the center line (kite fold). Smooth.
Fold down the two edges of each flap as shown, then fold behind the flap.
Form the Feet
Now you’re going to fold each side in, making a tab toward the center to form a foot. It really helps to watch the video for this step. Each side will have a tab that sticks up – fold down the feet together and smooth.
Fold up the tail and then flip over horizontally.
Fold up the feet, then fold up one more time.
Open up the body and fold down the top tab.
Attach the Head to the Body
Push the head down onto the body and your cat is formed! The head can tend to be a little loose; if you need to secure the head in place, use a glue dot or dab of glue.
Are you ready for the video? Learn how to make this paper kitty below! Then let me know what you think in the comments.