Few origami figures are as instantly recognizable—and as quietly clever—as the little paper man made from a shirt and a pair of pants. You have probably seen this classic combo before: it pops up in classrooms, on handmade cards, and as a tiny mascot in paper-folding communities. What makes it fun is that you are not tackling one intimidating fold; you are building a person from two simple, well-loved pieces you may already know how to make. Once the shirt and pants are done, the magic is in the join—tuck the waist of the pants into the shirt and suddenly your flat sheets stand up as a cheerful little figure. Grab two squares of paper and let's put this tiny fellow together.

This page is for anyone who wants instructions to fold a traditional, easy origami man.

This traditional origami man is well known for combining the traditional easy origami shirt with the traditional easy origami pants.

Before working on this model, you need to know what a valley fold and a mountain fold are. If you already know these two folding techniques, then you will have no problem making the origami man.

If you are ready, then let’s get started.

The paper I am using here is two typical 15 cm × 15 cm origami squares. It is a good size for those who are not experienced in paper folding. Once you become familiar with this model, you can try smaller paper.

You need to prepare two square sheets of paper. This is the front side of the paper.

This is the back side of the paper.

STEP 1.

First, make a traditional easy origami shirt.

STEP 2.

Next, make a traditional easy origami pants. Prepare to apply two mountain folds.

STEP 3.

Apply the two mountain folds from STEP 2.

STEP 4.

Prepare to insert the top of the origami pants into a hole of the origami shirt.

STEP 5.

Start inserting the top of the origami pants into the hole of the origami shirt.

STEP 6.

Continue inserting the top of the origami pants into the hole of the origami shirt.

STEP 7.

Finish inserting the top of the origami pants into the hole of the origami shirt. Congratulations! You have just completed a traditional origami man.