Start with a square sheet of paper, colored side up if applicable
Fold the paper diagonally in half to make a triangle
Unfold it
Fold the paper diagonally the other way to make a second triangle
Unfold it
Turn the paper over
Fold the paper in half horizontally
Unfold it
Fold the paper in half vertically
Unfold it
Bring the top, bottom, left, and right corners together into a smaller square base
Place the open end of the square base at the bottom
Fold the left and right edges of the top layer toward the center line
Fold the top point down over the two flaps
Unfold the last three folds
Lift the bottom corner of the top layer upward while folding the side edges inward
Flatten to form a long diamond shape
Turn the paper over
Repeat the same folds on the other side
Fold the left and right edges of the top layer toward the center line on both sides
Fold the top point down over the two flaps
Unfold the last three folds
Lift the bottom corner of the top layer upward while folding the side edges inward
Flatten to form a long diamond shape
Fold the narrow left and right side points inward to make the legs and neck
Fold one narrow point upward to form the head
Reverse-fold the tip of the head downward to make the beak
Fold the wings downward
Adjust the folds to shape the crane