How to Make Devil Horns Out of Paper in 15 Minutes
To make devil horns out of paper, cut a quarter-circle from red cardstock, roll it into a tight cone, glue the seam, then pinch and bend the tip into a curve. Stuff the base with tissue so it holds shape, paint or tape it glossy red, and hot glue it to a headband or hair clips. The whole thing takes about 15 minutes per pair once the glue is warm.
If your horns are ready but you are stuck on the rest of the devil outfit, The Costume Rack builds the full look from your vibe and what is already in your closet: Start my costume.
What you need for DIY devil horns
This post covers rigid paper horns: the sharp, pointed kind that stand up on their own. Here is the kit.
- Paper: Red cardstock is best. Plain printer paper works if you paint it. A cereal box works if you want cardboard horns.
- Glue: Hot glue for the seams and mounting, a glue stick for layering
- Filler: Tissue paper, cotton balls or a scrunched paper towel
- Finish: Red acrylic paint, red nail polish, red electrical tape or clear nail polish over red cardstock
- Mount: A thin black or red headband, or two alligator hair clips
- Tools: Scissors, a pencil and a mug or bowl to trace
Paper vs cardboard is the first decision:
| Material | Look | Strength | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printer paper | Smooth once painted | Light, dents easily | Kids, a short party |
| Cardstock | Crisp, clean edges | Holds well | Most people, the default |
| Cereal box cardboard | Chunky, bold | Very sturdy | Clubs, crowds, a long night |
Rolling paper horns
The cone is the whole horn, so take your time here.
- Trace a circle. Use a mug or small bowl, roughly 4 inches across, on your cardstock.
- Cut a quarter. Cut the circle into four wedges. Each wedge makes one horn, so you have spares.
- Roll the cone. Hold the point and curl the wedge around it. Pull one edge over the other until the tip is needle sharp and the base is about 1 to 1.5 inches wide.
- Glue the seam. Run a thin line of hot glue along the overlap and hold for 20 seconds.
- Trim the base. Snip the bottom so it sits flat on a table.
- Repeat for the second horn, matching the height side by side.
Making cardboard devil horns
Learning how to make devil horns out of cardboard is the same process, but score the back of the cardboard every half inch with a butter knife first. The scoring lets thick card bend into a cone without cracking.
Shaping a curve
Straight cones look like party hats. A small curve is what makes them read as devil horns.
- Pinch the tip. Pinch the top third gently between your fingers and bend it toward the back.
- Roll over a pen. For a smoother curve, roll the top half over a marker before the glue fully sets.
- Make a pair, not twins. Curve the left horn slightly left and the right horn slightly right, so they point outward like mirror images.
- Fill the base. Push tissue paper into the bottom inch. It keeps the base round and gives the glue something to grip later.
Taller horns or small horns?
Small horns (1.5 to 2 inches tall) look cute and stay put. Tall horns (3 to 4 inches) look dramatic but need a wide base, or they flop. If you are unsure, go small; small devil horns suit almost every devil outfit idea.
Painting and finishing
The finish decides whether your horns look homemade or store bought.
- Paint. Two thin coats of red acrylic cover printer paper. Let each dry for 10 minutes.
- Gloss. A coat of clear nail polish or Mod Podge gives the shiny "plastic" look.
- Alternative wrap. No paint? Wrap red electrical tape around the cone in a spiral for instant gloss.
- Details. Dab a little black at the base for shadow, or add glitter to the tips for a glam devil.
Color ideas beyond red:
- Black horns for a darker, gothic devil
- Gold horns for a glam look
- Pastel pink horns for a cute, soft devil
Mounting on a headband or clips
Here is how to make devil horns for Halloween that actually stay on your head.
Headband method
- Put the headband on and mark where the horns should sit, usually above the outer corners of your eyebrows.
- Hot glue a small square of cardstock to each spot for a flat base.
- Glue the horn onto the square and hold for 30 seconds.
- Wrap a thin strip of red tape around the base and the headband to lock it.
Clip method (devil horns without a headband)
Glue each horn to the flat top of an alligator clip. Clip them into your hair a few inches apart. This works best with thicker hair, and it looks especially neat with a middle part or space buns.
Horns done, and now you are standing in front of the closet wondering if your red top is "devil" or just "red top"? The Costume Rack judges that for you. It matches your vibe to the devil costume, lists every piece, shows the version from things you already own and gives you a no-makeup build. Start my costume
Completing the devil look
Good devil costume ideas start with the horns and then lean on one strong color: red or black.
- Red base: A red dress, red top with black jeans, or a red hoodie
- All-black base: Black clothes with red horns and red lipstick or red socks
- Tail: A strip of red felt with a paper triangle glued on the end, pinned to your belt loop
- Pitchfork: Three paper prongs taped to a wooden spoon or a paper towel tube
- Cape: A red or black blanket scarf
Devil costume accessories go a long way. You can skip makeup completely: the horns plus one red piece is enough.
Devil costume for guys and teens
A devil costume for guys often looks best as a black suit or black jeans and tee, red horns and a red tie or bandana. For teens, a red hoodie with the hood down and horns on top is comfortable and quick.
Pair it with an angel
A classic duo: one devil, one angel. Your partner can follow our halo headband guide using the same glue gun. Prefer soft, fuzzy horns or ears instead? The wolf ears headband method works for felt horns too.
Finish your devil costume in the next two minutes
You know how to make devil horns out of paper; now let The Costume Rack handle the outfit. In about two minutes it matches you to the devil costume, lists every piece, gives a "Find it" link to an Amazon or Target search for anything missing, and shows a version from your own closet. It also runs a one-piece-a-day countdown to October 31 so nothing is left to the last night.
FAQ
How do you make devil horns at home without a headband?
Glue each paper horn to the flat top of an alligator hair clip and clip them into your hair. Bobby pins crossed through a small cardstock base also work. Clips hold best in thick or textured hair.
How do you make devil horns out of cardboard?
Cut a quarter-circle from a cereal box and score the back every half inch so it bends. Roll it into a cone, hot glue the seam, then paint it red. Cardboard horns are sturdier than paper, so they suit a long night out.
What are easy devil costume ideas with regular clothes?
Wear anything red or all black, add paper horns and a felt tail, and carry a homemade pitchfork. A red dress, a red hoodie or a black suit with a red tie all work. Horns plus one red piece is enough to read as a devil.
How long does it take to make DIY devil horns?
About 15 minutes for the cones and curves, plus drying time for paint. Using red cardstock with clear nail polish, or red electrical tape, skips the paint wait.
What devil costume accessories do I need?
Horns are the only must-have. A tail, a pitchfork, red lipstick or a red cape are nice extras. The Costume Rack lists every piece for the devil costume and shows which ones you already own.