PALPaper Airplane Lab
The Swift finished shape

Folding guide

The Swift

The Swift keeps wings short and the fuselage stiff. It is meant for short-range speed and snappy handling rather than soaring.

Difficulty: MediumTime: 5 minutesSpeed
Start FoldingBrowse more planes

Step 1 of 6

How to Fold a The Swift Paper Airplane

Crease the center

Step 1

Crease the center

Fold lengthwise and reopen.

All folding steps

  1. Step 1

    Step 1: Crease the center

    Fold lengthwise and reopen.

  2. Step 2

    Step 2: Sharp corner folds

    Fold top corners tightly to the center.

  3. Step 3

    Step 3: Taper again

    Fold slanted edges to the center a second time.

  4. Step 4

    Step 4: Fold in half

    Close along the center crease.

  5. Step 5

    Step 5: Short wings

    Fold wings down but stop so the wing span stays relatively short.

  6. Step 6

    Step 6: Finish

    Open wings just enough to fly and throw firmly.

Flying Tips

  • Best in corridors where you want a quick, straight shot.
  • Do not expect long float time.

Paper Airplane Specifications

Difficulty
Medium
Folding time
5 minutes
Paper size
A4 or Letter
Best for
Short-range speed and reaction games
Flight style
Fast, short-duration flight
Notes
Keep the trailing edges clean for predictability.

Related Paper Airplanes

The Swift FAQ

Why are the wings short?+

Shorter wings reduce lift and drag, which favors speed over glide in this layout.