How to Tie Knots in Rope

Spend any time in Scouts, camping outdoors, or boating? From square knots to bowlines, learn how to tie knots in a rope with our tips, including illustrations of the most useful knots. It’s better to know a knot just in case you need it!

Tying Knots: Words to Know

Before you get started learning this handy skill, you should know some of the basic knot vocabulary.

• The bight is any part of a rope between the ends or the curved section of a rope in a knot.
• A bight becomes a loop when two parts of a rope cross.
• The place at which two parts of a rope meet in a loop is the crossing point.
• The place at which two or more loops bend is the elbow.
• The working end of a rope is the end being used to make a knot.
• The standing end (or standing part) of a rope is the end not involved in making a knot.

8 Useful Knots to Know

The knot illustrations below may seem a bit intimidating at first, but once you know the vocabulary and practice a few times, we’re sure you’ll be able to get it! Note: Illustrations by Lars Poyansky.

1. Square Knot

A square knot is a quick and simple way to join two ropes together. However, it’s for light use, not heavy use, such as tying scarves, packaging parcels, and so forth. The rope will not hold under heavy strain.

Watch the video to see how to tie the Square Knot:

2. A Half Hitch

A hitch is used to tie a rope around an object (such as a tree) and back to itself. It’s for a quick temporary use, not long-term solutions.

3. Two Half Hitches

This knot is also used to secure an object to trees, loops, or poles. Once tied, the knot formed by two half-hitches can move along the rope, allowing the loop to become larger or smaller. However, this hitch also isn’t for heavy loads.

Watch this video to see how to tie Two Half Hitches:

4. Taut-Line Hitch

Somewhat similar to two half hitches, the taut-line hitch is also an adjustable loop-knot hitch that can be tied around bars or poles. However, the loop formed using a taut-line hitch will not slip if put under tension. A common use might be setting up a hammock or securing a load to a car to easily adjust the binding’s tightness.
 

Watch this video to see how to tie a Taut-Line Hitch:

5. Sheet Bend

Like a square knot, a sheet bend joins two ropes. However, in this case, the knot can be used for heavy loads and won’t slip under heavy tension. In addition, it’s reliable when joining two ropes of different thickness, size, or material. A sheet bend can be used to join two lines to form a longer line or to secure a critical load in a vehicle. There’s also a Double Sheet Bend which takes an extra coil around the standing loop for better security (especially with plastic rope).

Watch this video to see how to tie the Sheet Bend Knot:

6. Bowline

When you need a non-slip loop at the end of a line, you go with a classic bowline. This fixed knot won’t slip, regardless of the load applied. It is also easy to untie. Bowlines are secure and used when you need to pull or rescue someone, or tie a line around yourself and a tree or other object.

Watch this video to see how to tie the common Bowline:

7. Clove Hitch

Easy to tie and untie, the Clove Hitch is a good binding knot when you’re in a rush. This knot is great for a temporary hold, such as attaching a rope to a post or a line to a mooring buoy for a short time. When you tighten this knot, you must pull both ends lengthwise or it won’t be secure.

Watch this video to see how to tie a Clove Hitch:

8. Figure-Eight Timber Hitch 

The Figure-Eight Timber Hitch is a mini version of the Timber Hitch, but suited to lighter jobs such as attaching a rope to an object. It’s easy to tie and remove but will come apart if tension is not maintained in the rope. Make at least three loops to ensure a more secure hold. 

Watch this video to see how to tie a Figure-Eight Timber Hitch:

If you enjoyed learning about these knots, we recommend The Ashley Book of Knots, the definitive reference for tying knots. It has about 3,900 types of knots!