Abstract: The material parameters of honeycomb paperboard were obtained by tensile test of base paper, and a simplified finite element model (Y-element model) of paper honeycomb was established. The model was subjected to quasi-static accelerated compression simulation by the finite element method, and the simulation was compared with the out-of-plane quasi-static compression test results of honeycomb paperboard. The effect of honeycomb cell wall width, paperboard thickness and cell wall thickness on the folding mode of Y element was studied by the simulation method. The results show that the morphology of the Y-element model obtained by quasi-static acceleration compression simulation was consistent with the test results; the relative error between the simulated and tested plateau stress in the compressive stress-strain curve was 3.87%, which verified the reliability of the model. The Y-element model with different specifications showed three folding modes after compression. The honeycomb cell wall width and paperboard thickness were the two key factors affecting the folding mode of Y element. The ratio of half of honeycomb cell wall width to the wavelength of a single fold affected the one-folding mode of Y element, and the thickness difference between the double-layer cell wall and the single-layer cell wall was the main reason for the occurrence of multiple folding modes.