How to Fold a Paper Into Thirds

To fold a paper into thirds, you can visually estimate fold lines and make light creases if accuracy isn't required. Practice will help you become more accurate at folding paper by estimating. However, if you want to fold perfect thirds, follow these steps using either a ruler or mathematical principles.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ruler
• Pencil

Fold Rectangular Paper

1. Measure the length of the paper with a ruler. For instance, standard stationery measures 11 inches, legal size is 14 inches and ledger is 17 inches.

2. Divide the length by three. The standard stationery divided by thirds comes to 3 2/3 inches, legal is 4 2/3 inches and ledger would be 5 2/3 inches.

3. Lightly mark the paper in thirds along each side. Fold and crease.

Fold Square Paper Without a Ruler

4. Fold a square of paper diagonally from top left corner to bottom right corner. Crease and unfold.

5. Bring one side of the paper to the other to create a vertical fold. Crease the paper and unfold.

6. Fold and crease the right edge of the paper from the top of the vertical fold to the bottom right corner. This fold bisects the right half of the paper into two right triangles.

7. Unfold the paper. The final crease intersects the first diagonal crease and indicates the 1/3 vertical point of the paper.

8. Create a vertical crease through the intersection, matching top and bottom edges of the paper to keep a straight fold. Fold the left side of the remaining paper over the top, aligning the sides.