Start with a square sheet of paper, colored side up if applicable
Fold the paper diagonally in half to make a triangle
Unfold
Fold the paper diagonally the other way
Unfold
Turn the paper over
Fold the paper in half horizontally
Unfold
Fold the paper in half vertically
Unfold
Bring the top, bottom, left, and right corners together to form a smaller square base
Position the open corner 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 point upward while folding the side edges inward to form a long diamond shape
Repeat on the other side
Fold the left and right edges of the top layer toward the center line again
Fold the top point down
Unfold the last three folds
Lift the bottom point upward while folding the side edges inward to form a long diamond shape
Repeat on the other side
Fold the two outer bottom edges inward to the center line on the front layer
Fold the top flap down over them
Unfold the last three folds
Lift the bottom point upward while folding the side edges inward to form a long narrow diamond
Repeat on the other side
Fold one narrow point upward to make the head
Fold the tip down to form the beak
Fold the other narrow point downward to make the tail
Gently pull the wings apart and shape the crane