Fold Paper Into a Secret Note Square

Want to fold a note in a compact and unique way? Folding a piece of paper into a secret note square is very fun and easy, and is a simple way to pass the time in class. Secret note squares are a great way to pass along a secret message to one of your friends during class and to impress your friends with your folding skills.

Steps

  1. Use a letter-size piece of paper. Letter size is 8.5" by 11". (If you're outside the US, use A4. You need to cut it or else this doesn't work.)
  2. Fold the paper hot-dog style, along the vertical axis. Make sure the side with writing on it is facing the inside, so you can't see it.
  3. Fold the paper hot-dog style a second time. Now you have a long, thin piece of paper.
  4. Fold the ends into triangles by folding them over diagonally. Make sure the two edges of the triangles are parallel; not like a trapezoid, (two parallel sides and two non-parallel sides) but like a parallelogram (two pairs of two parallel sides).
  5. Fold each triangle over diagonally again, forming a thin parallelogram on each end. Make your fold so that the edge of the triangle that's closest to the center of the rectangle moves up so that it's parallel to the long side of the rectangle. If you do this with both triangles, you will create something that looks like an "S" turned 90 degrees counterclockwise.
    • If you fold the triangles inward, you will get a rectangle, and this is wrong.
  6. Fold the edges of the parallelograms facing the center straight over. You should have two triangles making a square shape in the center, with an equally-sized triangle sitting on each side.
  7. Grab the triangle sitting on top of the square, and fold the edge beneath one of the triangles in the square.
  8. Grab the triangle on the bottom of the square, and slide it beneath the edge of the other triangle in the square.
  9. Enjoy your note square.
  10. Finished.

Tips

  • If a teacher does catch you and opens up the note, it would be handy to have the message written in some form of code or cypher. The teacher won't have a clue what you're talking about.
  • You can slip small pieces of paper inside the "pocket" on each side of the square. These can serve as distractions or you can hide the real note inside them.
  • Give your friend a way to crack the code at your break then send the note and the teacher won't see or understand it.
  • Don't just write any old secret on this piece of paper. Even though it's folded, doesn't mean someone can't open it.
  • If the teacher starts looking, quickly shove it in your desk and pretend you are taking a pencil or pen out so they don't get suspicious.
  • If you are going to pass notes in the classroom, learn how to make this note quickly, or already have paper pre-folded. You have to be quick and sly if you want to keep the note out of sight.
  • Ensure that your creases are nice and smooth. This makes it look nicer and also makes the paper look more professional. You can take the paper with you, without taking up too much space.
  • Be patient at first. Everything doesn't have to be done right for the first time.
  • To use an A4 sheet of paper (210 x 297mm) you can shorten it to 210 x 271.76mm to retain the US letter proportions so this still works.
  • Be careful if you are in school! If the teacher catches you, you will be in trouble!
  • If you're doing it in school put it on the ground and slide it with your foot.
  • Make sure you tell the friend to open the note secretly and not to let the teacher see you.
  • Do it on a free pass or going to the washroom drop it on the persons desk or table.

Warnings

  • Remember to make sure the receiver of the note understands how to open the note, or else they'll be very confused.
  • Write on the top half of the paper. Some areas on the bottom portion are visible after the square has been folded.
  • Always be patient, and don’t get frustrated. Remember, always write the notes in code.
  • Be careful when passing notes in a classroom; some teachers get really upset about it and you might get in trouble.
  • These instructions were designed for 8.5 x 11 inch paper commonly used in North America. To make it work with the A4 paper, you should trim the paper 3 centimeters. If you don't cut the A4 sheet, after step 5 you will have a rectangle instead of a square. Fold a little concertina in the middle of this to form a square.

Things You'll Need

  • A sheet of 8.5 x 11 inch paper (or A4 paper cut to 210 x 271.76mm)

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