How to Pass Your Body Through a Sheet of Paper

Co-authored by Barry McDonough

Last Updated: March 20, 2023

A sheet of paper is a lot like gold or your large intestines; it can appear larger than it seems. Trick your friends and learn a new party trick by betting them that you can fit your body through an average piece of paper. Even the aspiring magician could find this to be a good puzzle.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Standard Piece of Paper

Download Article

Make sure you're folding so the page is wider rather than longer (hamburger fold).
On the edge where you made the fold cut a long and skinny rectangle. Leave about an inch on the page.

Advertisement
Start on the inch stub from the previous cutout on the left side. Cut upwards towards the edge that hasn't been cut. Stop once you're about an inch away from the edge.
Now flip the paper over and start your incision from the edge that is loose. Repeat whatever the width of the initial strip was for this strip. Do the same method as before. Stop about an inch from the edge of the page.
Continue flipping the page after each cut until you've reached the other side of the paper.
Carefully unfold your paper and you should have a flimsy ring that you can fit your body through. If you had any strips that were too thin, it could turn out extra flimsy. Practice a few times before trying to impress anyone.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Passing Through an Index Card

Download Article

For the index card, you'll need to fold it hotdog style, or longways.^{[1]
X
Research source}
From the folded edge, make two initial incisions on the left and right sides. Leave a little bit less than an inch for the index card's strips.
Starting from one of the slits, cut parallel to the folded edge. You'll want to make the cut a little less than an inch down from the folded edge.
Starting from the unfolded edge, cut upwards towards the rectangle you just removed. Again, you'll want to space these slits a little under an inch.
Now continue your cuts, alternating sides, until you reach the other end of the index card.
Carefully unfold the paper. This will feel like you're opening up an accordion.^{[2]
X
Research source} You should be able to fit through the index card.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Applying Your Trick

Download Article

1
Prepare the paper. For an extra surprise, have all the cuts completed on your paper. Give yourself a good bit of practice before you begin showcasing your trick.
- In the preparation process, do not unfold the paper.
Place your pre-cut paper in either a manila envelope or a laminating template. You could really use anything, but be sure it is secure.
A great way of introducing the trick is for the audience to see the paper before it's cut. Part of the disbelief will be your audience creating doubt when they see a regular piece or paper or an index card.
4
Showcase the trick. Decide what type of audience you want to try the trick out on. Practice on friends and family before you incorporate the trick into your act.
- Try bring up a bunch of hypothetical situations and include passing through paper as one. This could be a good way to introduce the trick. Careful not to let the conversation get side-tracked, or else your trick won't be relevant in conversation.
5
Add a factor of chance. See how many people can fit into the hole. The index card technique will not yield as many people as the standard sized page.
- Another way you could impress your audience is by following your standard sized page with the index card.
Most performers of illusions and magic can offer comic relief throughout their set. You could develop a persona that uses certain jokes that you wouldn't normally say.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What if I am too fat to fit through?

Community Answer

A slightly bigger piece of paper will do, but you should fit through no matter your size.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 17 Helpful 53
Question

Won't the person see that the paper is cut when trying to pass my body through a sheet of paper?

Community Answer

Yes, but that's not the trick! The trick is that the pattern opens up the paper to a huge size. From one standard sheet of paper, you can make an opening almost 5 times the size.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 10 Helpful 17

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

It may be easier to do this with stiffer paper. If you use flimsy paper the pieces tend to flop around a lot.

Thanks
Helpful 10 Not Helpful 0
Open the paper slowly so you don't rip it.

Thanks
Helpful 8 Not Helpful 1
Smaller cuts mean bigger space to fit in but don't make it too small otherwise it will break.

Thanks
Helpful 8 Not Helpful 2