If you are looking for the greatest paper airplanes, we have you covered. This article will show you how to fold the best paper airplane for every situation. There are different goals that require different designs. For example, if your goal is to fly the longest distance, this requires a different design than if your goal is to do the most acrobatic flips.
We have identified 5 goals and tested every one of our paper airplane designs to determine the winner for each category. Use the table of contents to skip to the category that you are most interested in, or scroll down to begin.
The Bird
Furthest Flying Paper Airplane
If you are looking for the furthest flying paper airplane that can really go the distance, we recommend The Bird. This design is relatively easy to fold, and if it is adjusted carefully it can glide for a very long distance.
To optimize your throw for distance, try tossing this paper airplane at a 45° upward angle. Throw as hard as you can without causing the paper to deform in the wind. If the airplane doesn't go in a straight line, you can make small bends to the backs of the wings. To learn more about making adjustments to your paper planes, please read our article on steering your paper airplanes. If you are outdoors, put the wind at your back to get a little boost.
In our tests, a 10 year old child regularly threw this paper airplane more than 50 feet. If you throw it harder, it could go even further. If we find a better design we'll let you know, but for now this is our pick for the best paper plane for distance.
If you don't mind using a rubber band to add a little extra oomph, then try the Lift Off paper plane. It goes a bit further, but requires a good rubber band and a solid launch.
Stealth Glider
Longest Flying Paper Airplane
The paper airplane that stays up in the air the longest is the Stealth Glider. This design is fairly easy to fold, but a little tricky to adjust for long flights. Be patient and make tiny wing adjustments to get this design to glide very slowly through the air.
To optimize your throw for time aloft, throw this paper airplane straight up as high as you can. Gravity is your enemy in this contest, so the higher you can throw it, the longer it will stay up. The goal is for it to go straight up and then level off and glide around in circles for as long as possible.
In our tests, a 10 year old child got this design to stay up for over 6 seconds. This may not seem like much, but the average paper airplane flight is less than 2 seconds, so this is more than triple that. This is currently our pick for the best paper plane for time in the air.
If you can find a balcony or other safe place where you can throw the paper airplane from higher up, you will be able to get much more hang time.
Sonic Jet
Fastest Paper Airplane
The fastest paper airplane in our collection is the Sonic Jet. This has some tricky folds, but the sleek design helps this paper plane cut through the air very quickly.
Use some tape to keep the body of this aircraft tightly together and throw it as hard as you can at a slightly upwards angle. In our tests, a 10 year old child was able to throw this airplane at nearly 20 miles per hour! This makes it our fastest paper airplane design for hand throwing.
If using a rubber band launcher is permitted, then check out the Lift Off Paper Plane. It goes slightly faster, but requires a strong rubber band and a good flick.
Test your paper folding technique with these paper airplane examples. Whether you are looking for a quick diversion from the grind of adulthood or are teaching a youngster DIY skills, these planes are a great way to add a little levity to your day. The examples below are all beginner or intermediate level. The materials are cheap and only require paper, a pair of scissors, a ruler, and some double stick tape (optional) to complete.
For best results use a flat, thin-edged ruler. Make good creases along each edge. Adding double stick tape to the inside of the body keeps the wings from separating in flight.
The Dart
The most basic version. A simple standard that everyone should know how to make.
- Fold the paper in half vertically.
- Unfold the paper and fold each of the top corners into the center line.
- Fold the top edges into the center line.
- Fold the plane in half toward you.
- Fold the wings down, matching the top edges up with the bottom edge of the body.
- Add double stick tape to the inside of the body. The finished plane should look like this.
The Steath
This one is built for distance, plus it just looks cool.
- Fold the paper in half vertically.
- Unfold the paper and fold each of the top corners into the center line.
- Fold the peak toward you and 3/4” from the bottom of the paper.
- Fold both top corners into the center line.
- Fold the remaining tip over the two flaps at the center line to lock them in place.
- Fold the plane in half away from you.
- Fold the wings down 1” from the bottom of the plane.
- Fold up the sides of each wing 1/2” tall.
- Cut two small slits at the back of each wing. Fold up the tabs.
- Add double stick tape to the inside of the body. The finished plane should look like this.
The Bumble
Built correctly, this bee-like beauty stays in the air for a long time.
- Fold the paper in half horizontally.
- Unfold the paper and fold each of the top corners into the center line.
- Fold the peak down to meet the edge of the previous fold.
- Fold the upper sides into the center line.
- Fold the top edge 1/2” away from you.
- Fold the plane in half towards you.
- Fold the wings down 1/2” from the bottom of the plane.
- Add double stick tape to the inside of the body. The finished plane should look like this.
The Hunter
Count on speed and distance from this sleek plane.
- Fold the paper in half vertically.
- Unfold the paper and fold the top edge down 2”.
- Fold the top edge down again to meet the bottom of the previous fold.
- Fold the top edge down one more time to meet the bottom of the previous fold.
- Fold the top edges down and away from you to the center line on the back of the paper.
- Fold the plane in half towards you.
- Starting at the top of the thick nose of the plane, fold the wings down 1/2” in the front and slightly angled to 1 1/2” in the back. Fold up the edges of the wings 1/2”.
- Add double stick tape to the inside of the body. The finished plane should look like this.
The Bullnose
This plane is deceptively fast and stays aloft for quite a distance.
- Fold the top right corner over to the left side, making a fold from the top of the paper to the bottom right corner.
- Unfold the paper and repeat for the left corner.
- Unfold the paper again and fold the top right corner over to meet the crease made from the first fold.
- Fold the left corner over to meet the crease from the second fold.
- Fold the top right edge over to meet the edge of the fold from step 3. Repeat for the other side.
- Fold the top edge down and towards you to meet the point where the right and left layers cross.
- Fold the plane in half away from you. Staring at the nose, fold the wings down at a slight angle, 1/2” in the front to about 2” in the back.
- Add double stick tape to the inside of the body. The finished plane should look like this.