Learn How to Make the Best Paper Airplanes From a Champion Designer

At some point in everyone’s life—usually during a particularly dull moment in third grade—a plain white piece of paper inspires a certain degree of aerial imagination. Transforming this thin white sheet into a sleek winged jet that can soar through any classroom with stealth, speed, and serious hang time could be used as a metaphor for human endeavor and ingenuity. As with other engineering feats, small and massive, there are no limits to the complexities of how to make a good paper airplane (aka paper plane)—or, if you’re so inclined—how to make the best paper airplane.

Folding the best paper airplane for distance is a skill anyone can master. Taking it to the highest levels requires additional dedication—along with a solid paper airplane design tutorial from a true ace in the craft.

“When I was in elementary school, I experimented with regular paper airplane models and tried to make them better—folding them over and over, recutting paper, adjusting the models completely,” says elite paper airplane designer Lazar Krstic . “It was a hobby that I mostly did in school when I was bored,” adds the mechanical engineer from Serbia, whose talent for origami as a child evolved into a passion for what he calls “action-based” origami—specifically, mastering the best paper airplane designs.

Krstic’s hobby would eventually culminate in becoming the 2022 Red Bull Paper Wings champion (yes, there is such a thing) with one of his latest models, demonstrated below.

In this article, we provide a paper airplane tutorial for three levels of paper airplane designers eager to make the finest soarers in their respective classes.

Newbies who want to build a solid paper airplane in minutes can learn how to fold our top paper airplane for beginners, the Arrowhead. More ambitious paper airplane designers can move on to a step-by-step guide for building the Dart Ultra—our top intermediate flyer.

If you’re that rare aspirant who’ll take the time to make intricate folds necessary to construct the most badass paper airplane on the tarmac, Krstic will show you (in a 14-minute video) how to make his Red Bull Paper Wings winner, which glided over 200 feet to victory.

Tips on How to Make the Best Paper Airplane

“Precision is the key to making the best paper plane,” says Krstic, emphasizing “there are ways to fold a piece of paper that work better than others.” For optimal paper airplane distance or air time—the two don’t always go hand in hand. “Depending on what you want to achieve, it can change the overall design process,” he says, adding that the type of paper also has a significant impact on a plane's performance. “Whether you’re experimenting with your own model or following a tutorial online, you have to use 100 GSM paper and make extremely precise folds."

In the spirit of the Wright brothers' aviation trials, only safer, be prepared to make several models and undergo many flight tests to reach that eureka moment. “I’ll often have to make 50 to 100 similar models with small changes to see what works and what doesn’t,” says Krstic. “Then, I start refining the final model.”

Here's how to make good paper airplanes that will go the desired distance.

Best Beginner Paper Airplane Design: Arrowhead

For a simple but surprisingly solid paper airplane, start with a standard 8.5-by-11-inch sheet of paper and follow the instructions below. This type of paper airplane won’t win any Red Bull Paper Wings competitions, but it’s a great place to start.

1. Fold in Half Lengthwise : Start by folding the paper in half lengthwise, then unfold it to reveal the center line.

2. Fold the Top : Take the top and fold it down towards the center about one inch.

3. Fold the Corners Down : Now flip the paper over and fold the corners down to create a triangle.

4. Fold the Triangle Down : Fold the top triangle all the way down to the center.

5. Fold the Plane in Half : Fold the plane in half along the original center crease, with the flaps on the outside.

6. Fold the Triangle Up : Now fold the triangle back up to the top of the paper.

7. Flip It Over : Flip the paper over and fold two more triangles down from each corner like before.

8. Create the Wings : Open the triangles back up and fold the edges down part way to create the wings.

9. Close and Tuck : Close the paper airplane back up and tuck the point under the nose.

10. Fold in Half : Fold it in half, then fold down the wings. Now, you’re good to go.

Best Intermediate Paper Airplane Design: Dart Ultra

For a slightly more advanced paper airplane, there’s the Dart Ultra—a favorite of Krstic’s back in high school, which won him third place in a competition in his home town in Serbia. It’s one of the best paper airplanes for distance, hence the name, and only requires a few additional steps beyond a beginner plane.

1. Fold in Half Lengthwise : Start by folding the paper in half lengthwise, then unfold it to create a crease down the center.

2. Fold In Half Widthwise : Now make the same fold, except widthwise, then unfold it again.

3. Fold the Side Edge Down : Now fold the edge of the paper down about a quarter of the width.

4. Fold the Corners : Fold the top corners down to the center crease over the end you just folded, creating a narrow triangle.

5. Create the Wings : To make the wings, fold down the top edges on both sides, aligning them with the center of the plane.

6. Fold the Wings Again : Make a second fold for each of the wings on top of the previous fold on each side.

7. Fold in the Tail : Fold the tail pieces in and apply a piece of tape to hold it in place.

8. Fold in Half : Fold the entire plane in half along the center line.

9. Fold back the wings : Fold the wings back on either side to just below the body of the plane. Now your Dart Ultra is ready for a test flight.

Best Advanced Paper Airplane Design: Red Bull Paper Wings Winner by Lazar Kristic

This is the model that Krstic created to win the Red Bull Paper Wings championship. He recommends 100 GSM (grams per square meter) paper, making tight folds that are precise to the millimeter, and infinite patience. Kristic took about three hours to build this one. “You have to have strong fingers and be very tight with the folds,” he says. “The really hard part is to get everything folded without making even a 0.4mm mistake."

1. Triangle Fol d : Fold the corner over so it’s symmetrical with the line at the bottom of the paper.

2. Fold the Wing : Fold the wing up from the bottom of the paper.

3. Open the Plane and Fold In : Open the plane and fold in the bottom triangle toward the center.

4. Fold the Wing Twice : Fold the bottom wing up over itself twice.

5. Measure 195mm : Measure the length of the plane from tip to tail to make sure it’s 195mm.

6. Fold Tail In : Fold the small tail flap in over the back of the plane to make it flush.

7. Fold Top and Bottom Tail : Make a small fold in on the top and bottom of the tail to make it flat on either end.

8. Fold the Paper in Above the Tail : Fold the paper in above the tail using a ruler to align it with the tail.

9. Fold the Wing Up : Fold the wing up once on itself.

10. Fold the Paper in Above the Tail : Above the tail, fold the paper in using a ruler to align with the tail.

11. Fold the Wing Up : Fold the wing up once on itself, again.

12. Fold the Paper in Above the Tail : Do this again, using a ruler to align it with the tail.

13. Fold the Entire Plane 4 Times : In an almost rolling motion as demonstrated in the video, fold the paper plane upward four times.

14. Measure for Accuracy: To ensure the folds are correct, measure the triangle above the plane. It should be 85mm.

15. Fold the Plane Down the Middle : Find the midpoint of the plane using a ruler and fold it in half.

16. Fold the Winglets : Fold each of the wings in half down the middle.

17. Apply a Paper Clip : Fasten a paper clip on the center of the base of the plane to hold it in place.

18. Fold the Paper Over the Nose : Fold the triangular piece over the nose and press it down with a pen or pencil.

19. Remove Paper Clip : Remove the paper clip and apply it to the wing side of the plane to hold it in place.

20. Fold the Paper Over the Nose To the End : Fold the triangle piece of paper over the nose and press it down with a pen or pencil. Do this again until you reach the end of the plane.

21. Fold the Flap Horizontally : Fold the final flap of paper over so that it’s horizontal to the nose of the plane. Press it down in the center.

22. Use Pliers to Open the Hole Up : Take a pair of pliers and slide it into the slot on the side of the plane to open it up.

23. Fold Flap in : Fold the edge of the triangle in to make it flush with the wing.

24. Fold and Tuck the Tab in : Fold the tab one more time and tuck the flap into the hole on the side of the plane. Press it in with the pliers.

25. Let It Fly : Krstic recommends throwing it upside down with your finger on the end for optimal distance.