Here is how you can fold a piece of paper in half.

Steps

  1. 1
    Find a flat surface for optimum fold quality. If you want to get a good fold, you must make sure the paper is even, doesn't have any cuts, wrinkles, or wet spots.
  2. 2
    Lay the piece of paper in front of you on the surface carefully.
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  3. 3
    Hold one edge of the paper onto the folding surface firmly, but without damaging it. Lift the other edge of the piece of paper about one inch off of the folding surface. (Be careful not to rip it.) Carefully pull that corner over to the opposite side of the paper. Make sure the corners line up. You will notice that if you let go of the corner at this point the paper will go back to normal.
  4. 4
    To press down on the folded side of the paper, bring your finger to the top of the bend in the paper. Carefully apply downward force onto the bend by sliding your finger down the bend, and be sure not to rip the paper with your fingernail. Ensure a good crease by going over the fold with the back of your fingernail (still being careful not to rip it). If you have done this correctly, your paper should be symmetrical, and it should seem half the size of the original unbent paper.
  5. 5
    Good job! You've folded a piece of paper!
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I prevent it from folding unevenly? Like one side is centimeters below the other and it looks bad.
    FranciumLord
    FranciumLord
    Community Answer
    Push the open side of the paper against a flat surface that is perpendicular to the ground or table you are folding on. Then form a crease using the above instructions.
  • Question
    I want to rip paper. How do I do it by using this method?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Fold the paper and press down on the crease over a hard surface. Unfold and turn it over. Repeat. Then rip along the fold, carefully. This method will give you a straight line.
  • Question
    Do I need any materials to fold paper in half?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No. Just fold it. If the crease needs to be flat, run your fingernail along it firmly.
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Warnings

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Things You'll Need

  • Paper
  • Sufficient Manual Dexterity (IMPORTANT)

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 12 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 58,676 times.
85 votes - 64%
Co-authors: 12
Updated: September 16, 2021
Views: 58,676
Categories: Basic Paper Skills | Origami
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