MOD61 - MODULAR ORIGAMI - RECTANGULAR BOX FOR BEGINNERS (FROM 4 SQUARES)

Credits and Resources

Design: Annette Carr/Traditional/Unknown

Text-Only Tutorial copyright © 2026: Lindy van der Merwe and Annette Carr
Website: accessorigami.com
Paper to be used: Four squares (two for the box and two for the lid), any size; any paper that is somewhat flexible and that will hold creases well should work for this model.
Folding level: Easy/Beginner
Steps: 19

Description:
This model is a variation on MOD60 - MODULAR ORIGAMI - BOX FOR BEGINNERS (FROM 8 SQUARES), forming a fairly high, rectangular box, made from four similar-sized squares - two for the bottom of the box and two for the lid.
The units slide into each other sideways, so the joining method is quite easy.
If you use flexible paper, you should be able to make two boxes of the same size and fit one over the other to serve as a lid.
Although the model is not difficult to fold and assemble, try to be as accurate with your folds as possible, since the model relies on all the units to fit snugly together for the box to turn out well.
This model will be less secure than some other modular boxes, so keep this in mind if folding it for everyday use or as a gift box.

PHASE 1: CREATING A UNIT

Step 1

Place a square down with its edges to the left and right, top and bottom.

Step 2

Fold the bottom edge up to meet the top edge.
Crease and leave folded.

Step 3

Fold the top edge, the front layer only, down to meet the bottom edge.
Crease well and leave folded.

Step 4

Flip the figure over from left to right to reveal a rectangle with a smooth surface.

Step 5

Fold the top single-layered edge down to meet the bottom edge.
Crease and unfold this edge to reveal a center horizontal valley crease line.

Step 6

We are now going to fold all four of our corners inwards as follows:

6.1 Start with the two top single-layered corners and fold them diagonally down so the left and right edges will meet the center horizontal line from the previous step.
Crease well and leave folded.
6.2 Likewise, fold the two bottom corners, through all layers, diagonally upwards so they meet the same horizontal center line as well.
Crease well and leave folded.

Result: Your model will now be a six-sided shape, with a horizontal fold line and four folded corners.
You will notice that the bottom half of the shape has more layers than the top at this point.

Step 7

Next, we are going to create a vertical crease. Think of the left pointy end of the shape as a single triangle. Fold this triangle over on itself, to the right, so it will lie on top of the main part of the unit. Crease well along the left side of the unit and then unfold the triangle.

Step 8

Repeat Step 7 with the triangle on the right of the figure. Crease well and unfold so you have the six-sided shape again.

Step 9

Close the shape by bringing the top edge down along the existing horizontal crease.
Make sure that all the corners match each other and are folded neatly to the inside of the shape that will now resemble a flat boat with vertical crease lines on the left and right at the front and back of the shape.

Step 10

We are now going to form our unit into its final, 3D shape, using the vertical crease lines just mentioned.
To do this, do the following:

10.1 Open the boat shape by lifting up the long edge furthest from you, while keeping the opposite side of the boat that is closest to you flat on the table.
The side furthest away from you should now stand up at a 90-degree angle in relation to the table, like a wall.
10.2 Grasp the left and right corners of the boat and press them towards each other until they flatten out, forming two square panels or the sides of a box-like shape.

Step 11

We are going to reinforce these square panels next.

11.1 Keeping the unit on the table, rotate it to the right, so that one of its short sides is facing you. This short side will be a square that is made up of two triangles.
11.2 Lift the unit slightly and pinch the bottom and right edges of the square into strong, straight, neat mountain folds; return it to the table.
11.3 Rotate the unit on the table to the right 180 degrees and repeat Step 11.2.
This time you will pinch the bottom and left edges of the square; return the unit to the table.

Step 12

For the last time, rotate the unit 90 degrees to the left, so its open side is facing you.
Result: You will now have a 3D shape that will look like a long box with a bottom and three sides.
Specifically, it will have a floor part with a long, high back wall and two square side walls with triangular pockets that will be used for assembly.

PHASE 2: FOLD MORE UNITS

You will need another similar unit for the bottom of the box.

PHASE 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR MODEL

* Explanation:
Each unit will have a large, fairly long wall part and a floor part of the same size. These parts are at a 90-degree angle in relation to each other.
* Important: You will notice that the shorter, left and right sides of the unit are made up of two triangles. Actually, the triangles form pockets on both sides of the unit.

Step 13

Position Unit 1 in portrait orientation so that a small square end is closest to you with the triangular pocket accessed from the bottom. Note that the triangular pocket makes up the top half of the square end. The long wall side of the unit is on the left and the top and right sides of the unit are open.

Step 14

Position Unit 2 to the right of Unit 1 so that it is a mirror image of Unit 1. A small square end will be closest to you; the long wall will be on the right and the top and left sides are open. It is not important to orientate the triangular pockets in a particular direction.

Step 15

Slide Unit 1 toward Unit 2, allowing Unit 1 to begin going inside of Unit 2. The floor of Unit 1 will end up on top of the floor of Unit 2.

Step 16

As you are sliding the two units together, guide the Unit 2 small square that is furthest away from you into the triangular pocket on the outside of the Unit 1 small square that is furthest away from you. Ideally, insert Unit 2 all the way into the Unit 1 triangular pocket.

Step 17

Keep pressure on the assembled small squares while rotating the model 180 degrees.

Step 18

Insert the small square of Unit 2 into the triangular pocket of Unit 1 from the opposite direction.

Step 19

Reinforce all the corners and give the completed box a little squeeze at both ends to ensure the units are completely inserted.

* Note: To add a lid, create a second box using the instructions above and if folded from paper with medium flexibility, the lid should fit perfectly on top of the box.
Remember, it may take a few tries for you to make the box look nice, since although the model is not complicated, it does rely on crisp, accurate folding.

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