How to Make a Nakamura Lock Paper Airplane

Co-authored by Robert Homayoon

Last Updated: February 22, 2025

This is how you make an amazing paper airplane called "The Nakamura Lock." Don't throw it too far. You just want to give it a slight, light push straight ahead of you. Then let it go. If your folds are exact, your plane will go up to 80 feet (24.4 m).

Steps

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Fold a piece of paper in half and crease it. Open it back up (hot dog style).
- Press creases with your thumbnail to ensure clean folds, and make sure you’re folding on a flat surface like a table or desk for better accuracy.^{[1]
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Fold the top corners down to a point in the middle of the triangle and fold the bottom of the triangle over the corners that were folded down.
If you fold it in half the right way, you should see a triangle in the middle on both sides.
Do the same on the other side. It'll be one of the best airplanes you've ever made.
If you push too hard, it won't fly but you and the plane will stay AWESOME!

Join the Discussion...

What is the best paper airplane design?

wikiHow Editorial Team

Looking for the best paper airplane to fly the furthest? Here's a simple design you can try.

Get a a standard sheet of printer paper, fold it vertically, and unfold it to create a reference line down the middle of your sheet.
Fold the top right corner down 45 degrees until it lines up with the reference line. Do the same with the top left corner.
Fold the point made by the last two folds straight down. The point should line up with the reference line.
Fold the top right corner down so that it's about half an inch above the lower point of the triangle. Do the same with the top left corner.
There should now be a small triangle below the last two folds. Fold that triangle straight up and over where the last two folds touch.
Fold the plane in half along the reference crease, with the small triangle facing outward.
Fold the first wing down, aiming for a slight angle toward the nose. Do the same with the second wing.
Congratulations, you should now have your airplane! It flies best when thrown with a gentle, level throw.

Do you have paper airplane tips? Share your best designs in the comments below!

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Question

How do I hold my Nakamura lock paper airplane?

Community Answer

Hold it on the "lock" part at the middle and throw with moderate power to make it fly.

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Question

Why do I need to fold the top edge and the bottom edge after I make the triangle?

Community Answer

It improves the weight distribution for optimal flying conditions, as well as maximizes structural integrity.

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Question

Why doesn't the Nakamura have a pointy nose?

Community Answer

The way the paper is folded in making a Nakamura airplane does not allow it to have a pointy nose. This is an advantage as you don't have to fix it every time the plane crashes into something.

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Tips

If you are outside always remember to test the direction of the wind.

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Add wing flaps to stabilize plane in-flight.

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Don't throw too hard.

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