How to Make a Paper Airplane That Flies Far

Learn to fold a classic dart paper airplane that soars across the room with step-by-step instructions for the whole family.

1. What You'll Need. Gather one sheet of standard 8.5 x 11 inch paper. Regular copy paper or printer paper works best because it's not too heavy or too light. Avoid thick cardstock or thin tissue paper, as these don't fold or fly as well. You'll also want a flat surface for folding and some open space for test flights.
2. Step 1: Start with the Basic Fold. Place your paper on a flat surface with the long side horizontal in front of you. Fold the paper in half lengthwise, bringing the top edge down to meet the bottom edge. Make sure the edges line up perfectly, then press down firmly to create a sharp crease. Unfold the paper completely so you can see the center crease line running horizontally across the middle.
3. Step 2: Create the Nose. Turn the paper so the crease line is vertical, running from top to bottom. Fold the top two corners down toward the center crease, creating two triangular flaps that meet along the center line. The paper should now look like a house with a pointed roof. Press down firmly on these folds to make sharp creases.
4. Step 3: Make the Second Fold. Take the angled edges you just created and fold them down toward the center line again. This creates a narrower, more pointed nose. The edges should meet right along the center crease, forming a shape that looks like a very thin triangle on top of a rectangle. Make sure these folds are crisp and even on both sides.
5. Step 4: Fold the Plane in Half. Fold the entire plane in half along the original center crease, with the triangular nose section on the outside. The plane should look like a long, thin triangle when viewed from the side. Hold the folded plane with the pointed nose facing away from you.
6. Step 5: Create the Wings. With the nose pointing away from you, fold one side down to create the first wing. The fold line should run from about an inch below the nose point straight back toward the tail, keeping the wing edge parallel to the bottom of the plane. Flip the plane over and repeat on the other side, making sure both wings are even and symmetrical.
7. Step 6: Test and Adjust. Open up the wings so they're perpendicular to the body of the plane. The wings should be level and even with each other. Hold the plane underneath at the center balance point, just behind where the nose folds end. Throw with a firm, level motion straight ahead. If the plane dives, gently bend the back edges of the wings up slightly. If it climbs too high and stalls, bend the wing tips down a tiny bit.