Whether you’re a sailor, climber, camper, or just someone looking to improve your rope skills, mastering a few basic knots can be incredibly useful.
Knowing how to tie the right knot for the right situation can make a world of difference, from securing a load to ensuring safety in outdoor adventures. Some knots are essential for everyday tasks like tying packages, whilst others are crucial for more specialised needs, such as rescue operations or setting up a campsite.
This guide covers 24 basic knots you should know, from the simple and functional square knot to the more specialised survival knots. Each knot serves a unique purpose, and we’ll walk you through how to tie them, step-by-step.
Whether you’re new to knot tying or looking to refresh your skills, these basic knots are ones you’ll want to have in your repertoire.
Knot 1: Square knot
Also known as a reef knot, the square knot is used to tie two ropes of equal thickness together. This type of knot is great for bundling items or securing packages.
How to tie a square knot
- Get two rope of equal thickness
- Hold one rope end in each hand
- Cross the right end over the left end, and then bring it under
- Now, cross the left end over the right and bring it under
- Pull tight
Knot 2: Bowline knot
The bowline creates a fixed loop at the end of a rope. It’s often used for rescue operations, sailing, and climbing, since it doesn’t slip under load.
How to tie a bowline knot
- Get one rope (such as a marine rope, if using in water)
- Make a small loop in the rope, leaving enough rope for the desired loop size
- Pass the end through the loop from the bottom
- Wrap it around the standing part and back down through the loop
- Pull tight
Knot 3: Clove hitch
A clove hitch is ideal for temporarily securing a rope to a post or tree. It’s often used in tent pitching or for securing boats to docks.
How to tie a clove hitch
- Get one rope
- Wrap the rope around a post
- Cross the rope over itself and wrap it again around the post
- Tuck the working end under the second wrap
- Pull tight
Knot 4: Figure eight knot
The figure eight knot is mainly used in climbing, sailing, and rescue work. It prevents the rope from running out of retaining devices, like pulleys.
How to tie a figure eight knot
- Get one rope
- Make a loop in the rope
- Pass the end around the standing part and back through the loop
- Tighten by pulling both ends
Knot 5: Taut-line hitch
A taut-line hitch is an adjustable knot, commonly used in tent guy lines or securing loads where tension needs to be adjusted – such as tightening your washing line.
How to tie a taut-line hitch
- Get one long piece of rope (or your washing line rope)
- Wrap the working end around a fixed object.
- Make two wraps around the standing part of the rope.
- Create a third loop outside of the first two
- Tighten
Knot 6: Sheet bend
The sheet bend is used to join two ropes of different thicknesses or materials. It’s often an essential knot used in boating and climbing.
How to tie a sheet bend
- Get two ropes of different thicknesses or materials
- Make a bight (bend) with the thicker rope
- Pass the thinner rope through the bight
- Wrap it around both ends of the thicker rope
- Tuck it under itself
- Pull tight
Knot 7: Double bend sheet
The double bend sheet is a stronger version of the sheet bend, used when more security is needed in connecting two ropes.
How to tie a double bend sheet
- Get two ropes
- Start as with the sheet bend, making a bight (bend) in one rope
- Pass the other rope through, around, and through the bight again
- Complete a second turn around the bight
- Tucking it under itself
- Tighten
Knot 8: Fisherman’s knot
The fisherman’s knot, not to be confused with the double fisherman’s knot, is frequently used in fishing to tie two lines together securely.
How to tie a fisherman’s knot
- Get two ropes or lines
- Wrap the working end of each line around the standing part of the other
- Pull both ends tight to lock the two knots together
Knot 9: Double fisherman’s knot
The double fisherman’s knot is similar to the fisherman’s knot but is double-knotted. This knot is often used by climbers and anglers to join two ropes securely.
How to tie a double fisherman’s knot
- Get two ropes
- Take the ends of two ropes
- Wrap the first rope twice around the second
- Pass the working end through the loops
- Repeat the process with the second rope, forming two interlocking knots
- Pull both ends to tighten
Knot 10: Trucker’s hitch
The trucker’s hitch is a powerful knot used to secure heavy loads, often in trucking or camping.
How to tie a trucker’s hitch
- Get one rope
- Form a loop with a slip knot in the middle of the rope
- Pass the working end around an anchor point
- Pull it through the loop to create a mechanical advantage
- Tighten
- Secure it with a half-hitch
Knot 11: Overhand on a bight
The overhand on a bight knot is a basic stopper knot to form a loop in the middle of a rope, often used in climbing.
How to tie an overhand on a bight
- Get one rope
- Fold the rope into a bight (a bend).
- Tie a simple overhand knot with the doubled rope.
- Pull the knot tight.
Knot 12: Two half hitches
The two half hitches is a secure and adjustable knot for tying a rope to a post or ring, useful for mooring a boat and general tying.
How to tie two half hitches
- Get one rope
- Pass the working end around a post or ring
- Make two half hitches by wrapping the working end over and around the standing part
- Pull tight
Knot 13: Water knot
The water knot is ideal for joining two pieces of webbing or flat material, commonly used in climbing and rescue.
How to tie a water knot
- Get one flat rope, or piece of webbing
- Tie an overhand knot with one end
- Feed the other end through the knot, following the original path in reverse
- Tighten both ends
Knot 14: Rolling hitch
The rolling hitch is a knot used to attach a rope to another line or pole. It’s often found to be good for tensioning ropes.
How to tie a rolling hitch
- Get one rope
- Wrap the working end around a pole or another rope
- Make two wraps around the standing line, tucking the end under the second loop
- Tighten by pulling the working end
Knot 15: Prusik knot
The Prusik knot is a friction hitch used in climbing and rescue operations, often used for ascending or securing knots on a rope.
How to tie a Prusik knot
- Get one rope
- Wrap a smaller loop of rope around the main rope three times
- Pass the loop through itself
- Pull tight
Knot 16: Timber hitch
Commonly used in logging and towing, the timber hitch secures a rope to a log or post for dragging.
How to tie a timber hitch
- Get one rope
- Pass the rope around the log
- Wrap the working end around the standing part, making several twists
- Pull the knot tight
Knot 17: Blood knot
Commonly used to tie two fishing lines together, a blood knot is secure and slim – great for anglers.
How to tie a blood knot
- Get two lines
- Wrap the ends of two lines around each other 4-5 times.
- Tuck the ends through the centre
- Pull both sides tight
Knot 18: Man harness
The man harness creates a loop to secure around a person’s body, often used in rescue operations and survival situations.
How to tie a man harness
- Get one rope
- Form a loop
- Tie a figure-eight knot
- Adjust the loop size to fit the person
Knot 19: Carrick bend
The carrick bend is a strong knot used to join two heavy ropes. This knot is commonly used in sailing.
How to tie a carrick bend
- Get two ropes
- Form a loop with the first rope
- Pass the other rope through and around, then back through the loop
- Pull both ends tight to secure
Knot 20: Barrel hitch
The barrel hitch is ideal for lifting cylindrical objects like barrels, often used in construction or rigging.
How to tie a barrel hitch
- Get one rope
- Pass the rope under the object
- Bring both ends together above the object
- Tie them together securely
Knot 21: Sheepshank knot
The sheepshank knot is a knot that shortens a rope without cutting it, often used for load-bearing.
How to tie a sheepshank knot
- Get one rope
- Fold the rope to the desired length
- Make loops on both sides
- Secure each with half hitches
Knot 22: Tripod lashing
The tripod lashing is a knot used to secure three poles into a tripod, often in scouting or camping.
How to tie a tripod lashing
- Get one rope
- Lay the poles side by side
- Wrap rope around them several times
- Weave the ends between the poles
- Pull tight to form a stable tripod
Knot 23: Square lashing
Similar to a tripod lashing, a square lashing is a knot used for binding two poles at a right angle, common in pioneering projects.
How to tie a square lashing
- Get one rope
- Wrap rope around the poles
- Wrap it diagonally
- Finish with a clove hitch to secure
Knot 24: Cleat hitching
The cleat hitching is a knot used to secure a rope to a cleat, often for docking boats.
How to tie a cleat hitching
- Get one rope
- Wrap the rope around the base of the cleat
- Make figure-eight turns across the cleat arms
- Finish with a half-hitch
When it comes to ropes, we’re the experts. Head to our handy Rope Source blog for more insights on everything you can do with rope, or contact our friendly team for expert advice on what you need for your next project!