How to Fold Paper Into a Secret Note Square

Co-authored by Nicole Bolin

Last Updated: November 4, 2022

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.)
- If your piece of paper is too big, cut it down to size using an exacto knife.
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.

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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
Finished.
10
Enjoy your note square!

Community Q&A

Question

How should I dispose of my secret note?

Community Answer

Tear it up into small pieces, and throw them away. If you can, try throwing the pieces away into different trash cans. If you are very careful, you can also burn the note instead.
Question

What if an enemy finds out how the note works?

Community Answer

Abort the mission immediately. Stick the note in your pocket, or conceal the note by closing your fist around it. Find a way to burn the note as quickly as possible.
Question

Do I put the note inside of it or just write it on the cover?

Community Answer

You probably write it inside to keep it secret. That is the purpose of doing this.

Warnings

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.

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Remember to make sure the receiver of the note understands how to open the note, or else they'll be very confused.

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Write on the top half of the paper. Some areas on the bottom portion are visible after the square has been folded.

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Be careful when passing notes in a classroom; some teachers get really upset about it and you might get in trouble.

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Always be patient, and don’t get frustrated. Remember, always write the notes in code.

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