17 Essential Types of Rope Knots and How to Tie Them Right
Forget trying to memorise every knot your grandfather mentioned. With just 17 rope knots in your back pocket you’ll handle 95 % of boating, camping, climbing, DIY and emergency jobs across Aotearoa. This guide pairs each knot with step-by-step photos, clear uses and safety pointers, so you always choose the right knot and tie it first time—even when fingers are numb or the rope is slick with salt-spray.
Before we start twisting fibres, we’ll spend a minute on rope basics: diameter, laid versus braided construction, and the parts you’ll see named in the instructions—the working end, standing part and the humble bight. Nail those definitions now and the diagrams, tips and common-error call-outs that follow will slot neatly into place.
1. Overhand Knot — The Building Block of Them All
Master this seed knot and others bloom.
Why it matters
- Bulky stopper that guards pulleys and rope ends.
Step-by-step tying guide
Make bight, wrap end round standing part, push through, snug; leave 6-diameter tail.
Pro tips & common pitfalls
- Dress flat; never join load lines with it.
2. Figure-Eight Knot — Reliable Stopper with Extra Strength
A sturdier evolution of the overhand, the figure-eight keeps more rope strength and still loosens easily when you need it undone.
Typical uses
- Climbing rope end stopper
- Sailing sheets
- Dog leads
Tying instructions
- Make a small loop.
- Take the working end around the standing part, behind, then back through the first loop.
- Dress the strands and pull snug—the rope now draws a tidy ‘8’.
Troubleshooting & variations
- Double loop for bulk; re-thread for harness tie-in.
- Avoid sideways pull that can capsize the knot.
3. Square (Reef) Knot — Quick Join for Equal-Diameter Ropes
The square (reef) knot forms a flat, symmetrical join for light tasks where speed counts.
Best applications
- Bandages
- Sail reefing
- Parcel lashing
How to tie correctly
Right over left, left over right; pull on standing parts to snug.
When to avoid
Spills under uneven load—skip it for critical weight, use a sheet bend or surgeon’s knot instead.
4. Bowline Knot — The King of Fixed Loops
Only one fixed loop? Choose the bowline—strong, stable, unties easily.
What makes it indispensable
- Non-slip loop for moorings, rescue, and tree swings
- Doesn’t jam; releases with a flick when slack
Step-by-step (“rabbit-in-hole” method)
- Make a small loop: the hole.
- Rabbit (working end) comes up through hole, round standing “tree”.
- Rabbit dives back into hole; dress and tighten.
Strength, security & variations
- Add stopper for shocks; bowline-on-a-bight for mid-line loops.
5. Clove Hitch — Fast Temporary Hitch Around a Post
The clove hitch anchors a rope to any pole in seconds and is just as quick to release, making it the camper’s and sailor’s favourite temporary hitch.
Where you’ll use it
- Hanging fenders off a rail
- Pitching a tarp ridge-line
- Starting diagonal lashings
Tying instructions
Two turns, cross the second over the first, tuck the tail—job done. Pull a bight through for quick release.
Security notes
Back it up with a half hitch if the rope will slap overnight.
6. Sheet Bend — Joining Ropes of Different Thickness or Material
Different-size or slippery ropes? Use a sheet bend—it grips mismatched lines where square knots fail.
Why it excels
Favourite for halyards and emergency joins; strong, quick, unties without tools.
How to tie (single & double)
Form a bight in the thicker rope. Lead thinner end up, around both legs, under itself; add a second wrap if needed.
Inspection & failure points
Check tails sit together; if they swap sides the bend can slip.
7. Double Fisherman’s Knot — Compact, Super-Strong Join
When two slender lifelines simply must stay together, climbers reach for the double fisherman’s. Small, symmetrical and brutally secure, it’s the go-to bend for thin cords that need to run over rock edges or through metal hardware without snagging.
Main uses
- Cordelettes
- Abseil pull-downs
- Closed prusik loops
Step-by-step
Wrap end twice round mate, tuck back through; mirror again; dress, slide knots together.
Safety considerations
Impossible to untie after heavy load; match diameters; leave 8 × rope-diameter tails.
8. Prusik Knot — Adjustable Friction Hitch for Climbing & Rescue
A Prusik is a sliding hitch that grips hard and releases fast.
Core purpose
- Rope ascent
- Emergency back-up
- Light hauling
Tying method
Loop cord at roughly 60 % of main rope diameter. Make three neat coils, feed the loop through, dress and snug.
Using & adjusting
Slides when nudged, bites under load; keep twin Prusiks 100 mm apart.
9. Rolling Hitch — Holding Load Along a Spar or Rope
Rolling hitches clamp a rope to another line or pole so you can haul or take strain length-wise without the knot creeping.
Typical scenarios
- Guy-line tension
- Halyard stopper
- Dinghy drag assist
How to tie
- Wrap twice toward the load.
- Cross over the standing part.
- Finish with a half hitch back toward the load and dress snug.
Tips for reliability
- Tail must face the load.
- Choose Rolling Hitch #2 on slick synthetics.
10. Round Turn & Two Half Hitches — Secure, Easy-to-Adjust Mooring Knot
One round turn absorbs shock; the two half hitches clamp it, ideal for quick yet secure moorings.
Where it shines
- Docking small boats
- Poles or ring tie-offs
- Hanging a hammock
Tying instructions
- Take a full turn round the post, both strands sharing the load.
- Add two half hitches away from the load, dress tight.
Extra security
Slip last hitch for instant release.
11. Water Knot — Joining Webbing or Flat Tape
Water knot joins flat webbing securely, staying slim enough to glide through anchors and around carabiners.
Primary uses
Climbing slings, canyon anchors, lashing straps.
Step-by-step
Tie loose overhand in first tape; re-thread second tape back through identically, dress tight.
Inspection & maintenance
Keep 50 mm tails, back up with overhands for critical loads, inspect often—webbing can creep.
12. Alpine Butterfly Loop — Mid-Line Loop That Won’t Slip
When you require a load-bearing loop mid-rope, the alpine butterfly forms quickly and won’t jam.
Ideal situations
- Isolate damaged strand
- Rig multi-directional anchors
- Clip gear mid-pitch
Tying techniques
Wrap rope twice round your hand, pull the middle turn over the outer two and down through the gap; dress tight.
Advantages
- Holds load from any direction
- Unties easily after strain
13. Taut-Line Hitch — Adjustable Knot for Variable Tension
Need tweakable tension? The taut-line hitch slides when slack, then locks once loaded to keep everything snug.
Everyday uses
- Tent guys
- Roof-rack loads
- Beach clothes-line
How to tie
- Two wraps inside loop.
- One wrap outside.
- Half hitch finish.
Adjustment tips
Slide knot to adjust, haul tight to lock; works best in ≤ 8 mm braided rope. Stiff laid lines may slip, use a stopper.
14. Constrictor Knot — The Ultimate Binding Knot
Need a ruthless binder? The constrictor cinches and never lets go.
Purpose & strength
- Bags, hoses, whipping; grip tightens with each tug.
Tying instructions
Cross twice like clove hitch, tuck tail under final turn, haul snug.
Caution
Virtually impossible to undo; commit only when cutting later is fine.
15. Surgeon’s Knot — Extra Friction for Slippery Lines
Double-turn square knot that grips slick lines before cinching.
When to choose it
Fishing leaders, elastic shock cord, medical bandages.
Tying method
Tie a reef knot, but loop the first throw twice, then pull tight.
Strength & limitations
Added friction stops slip; still unsuitable for life-safety loads.
16. Timber Hitch — Classic Knot for Dragging or Hoisting Logs
Timber hitch grips logs tight and drops loose on command.
Key applications
- Log skidding
- Lowering spars
- Mast lashing
Tying instructions
Circle the log, twist the tail thrice around the standing part, pull.
Advantages
Tightens under load, releases fast; add a forward half hitch for control.
17. Slip Knot — Quick-Release Loop for Rapid Unfastening
A slip knot gives you a closing loop that vanishes with one pull.
Common uses
- Temporary tether
- Crochet start
- Animal lead
Tying steps
- Form loop.
- Pass bight through.
- Cinch standing part.
Quick release & safety
Pull the tail to open; guard against snags that can undo it.
Tie It All Together
That’s the full 17-knot toolkit. Remember it in five bundles: Stoppers — Overhand, Figure-Eight; Loops — Bowline, Alpine Butterfly, Slip; Bends — Square, Sheet Bend, Double Fisherman’s, Water, Surgeon’s; Hitches — Clove, Rolling, Round Turn & Two Half Hitches, Taut-Line, Prusik; Bindings — Constrictor, Timber Hitch. Sort the knots this way and the right choice jumps out.
Now build speed. Keep a metre of 6 mm braid in your pocket and spend ten idle minutes a day tying each group blindfolded. Within a week the actions lodge in muscle memory.
Short of rope or want heavier diameters? Pop into our Auckland store or browse Action Outdoors for NZ-grade cordage, off-cuts and straight-up advice.
