Cord vs rope: What’s the difference?

In the world of materials and tools, cords and ropes play vital roles in a multitude of applications, from everyday household tasks to specialised industrial uses. However, understanding the differences between these two can be confusing – as both cords and ropes are flexible lengths of material made by twisting or braiding fibres, yet they serve distinct purposes based on their unique characteristics.

In this blog post, we will delve into the key differences between cords and ropes. We will examine their materials, characteristics and uses, alongside what specifically makes them different. By exploring these distinctions, you will gain a clearer understanding of which material is best suited for your particular needs.

Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast, a camper, or someone working in construction or maritime industries, knowing the difference between cord and rope can significantly impact the success and safety of your projects.

Join us as we unravel the essential features that set cords and ropes apart, ensuring you make informed decisions for your tasks and adventures ahead.

What is cord?

Cord is described as a thin, flexible length of material, often made by twisting or braiding fibres or strands together. Cord is generally smaller in diameter than rope, and is valued for its versatility and ease of handling.

What is cord made from?

Cords can be made from a wide variety of materials and fibres, including natural fibres and synthetic fibres.

Natural fibre cords are often made from cotton, jute, and hemp, whereas synthetic fibre cords, on the other hand, are often made of materials like nylon (such as paracords), polyester, and polypropylene.

Bungee cords, a very popular type of cord, are elasticated cords with a rubber core and nylon exterior – making it quite different to other types.

Popular types of cord and their characteristics

So, what are the most popular types of cords and how do they behave?

1. Cotton cord

Cotton cords are one of the most popular natural fibre cords. Their characteristics include:

Moderate to high strength: Strong and durable, making it suitable for heavy-duty applications.
Low elasticity: Limited stretch, but maintains shape under load.
Good durability: Withstands wear and tear, though it can degrade over time with exposure to weather.
Moderate abrasion resistance: Can withstand some abrasion, but rough surfaces can wear it down over time.
Absorbent: Absorbs water, which can lead to rotting and mildew if not properly dried.
Low chemical resistance: Prone to degradation when exposed to chemicals, oils, and solvents.
Low UV resistance: Can degrade with prolonged UV exposure; making it not ideal for extended outdoor use without protection.
Moderate flexibility: Fairly flexible, making it easy to handle and knot.

2. Hemp cord

Hemp cords are made with the fibres from the hemp plant. Their characteristics include:

High strength: Very strong and durable, making it suitable for heavy-duty applications.
Low elasticity: Limited stretch, but maintains shape under load.
Durable: Withstands wear and tear, and resistant to degradation over time – even with exposure to weather.
Abrasion resistant: Can withstand significant abrasion, making it suitable for rough surfaces.
Absorbent: Absorbs water, which can lead to rotting and mildew if not properly dried.
Moderate chemical resistance: More resistant to chemicals, oils, and solvents than cotton, but can still degrade with prolonged exposure.
Moderate UV resistance: Better UV resistance than cotton, but can still degrade with prolonged exposure.
Moderate flexibility: Fairly flexible, making it easy to handle and knot.

3. Jute cord

Jute cords are made from the vegetable fibres of the jute plant. Their characteristics include:

Moderate strength: Strong enough for various applications, but not as strong as hemp.
Low elasticity: Limited stretch, but maintains shape under load.
Moderate durability: Withstands wear and tear reasonably well, but degrades over time with exposure to weather.
Low abrasion resistance: Can wear down quickly when exposed to rough surfaces.
Absorbent: Absorbs water readily, which can lead to rotting and mildew if not properly dried.
Low chemical resistance: Prone to degradation when exposed to chemicals, oils, and solvents.
Low UV resistance: Can degrade with prolonged UV exposure; making it not ideal for extended outdoor use without protection.
Moderate flexibility: Fairly flexible, making it easy to handle and knot.

4. Nylon cord

Nylon cords are one of the more popular synthetic cords. Their characteristics include:

High strength: High tensile strength, making it capable of handling heavy loads.
Good elasticity: Good elasticity, meaning they can stretch and return to original shape without damage.
Durable: Highly durable and resistant to wear and tear.
Abrasion resistant: Excellent resistance to abrasion.
Absorbent: Absorbs some water but dries quickly; making it moderately resistant to mildew.
Chemical resistant: Resistant to many chemicals, oils, and solvents.
Moderate UV resistance: Moderate resistance to UV light, however, can degrade over prolonged exposure.
Highly flexible: Highly flexible and easy to knot.

5. Polyester cord

Polyester cords are also a popular type of cord. Their characteristics include:

High strength: Strong and durable, with high tensile strength.
Good elasticity: Less elastic than nylon, but maintains shape well under load.
Durable: Very durable, with excellent resistance to wear and tear.
Abrasion resistant: Good resistance to abrasion.
Absorbent: Low water absorption and dries quickly; making it resistant to mildew.
Chemical resistant: Highly resistant to most chemicals and solvents.
UV resistant: Excellent UV resistance, making it suitable for outdoor use.
Good flexibility: Flexible and easy to handle.

6. Polypropylene cord

Polypropylene cords are less common, but their characteristics include:

Good strength: Good strength, making it suitable for various applications.
Limited elasticity: Limited elasticity but maintains shape well.
Durable: Durable, with decent resistance to wear and tear.
Moderate abrasion resistance: Moderate resistance to abrasion.
Water resistant: Highly water-resistant; floats on water and resistant to mildew.
Chemical resistant: Excellent resistance to chemicals, oils, and solvents.
Poor UV resistance: Poor UV resistance; can degrade over prolonged sun exposure.
Good flexibility: Generally flexible, but can be stiff depending on the type.

7. Paracord

Paracords are a very popular style of cord. Their characteristics include:

High tensile strength: Typically rated at 550 pounds, making it strong enough for a variety of demanding applications.
Low elasticity: Generally not very stretchy, but has some flexibility due to its nylon construction.
Highly durable: Resistant to abrasion, wear, and tear. Designed to withstand rugged use.
Abrasion resistant: Can handle rough surfaces and environments without significant wear.
Moderate water resistance: Absorbs some water but dries relatively quickly, and is less prone to mildew compared to some natural fibres.
Chemical resistant: Resists many chemicals and solvents but may degrade with prolonged exposure.
Poor UV resistance: Can degrade over prolonged exposure to sunlight; UV-resistant coatings or treatments are sometimes applied.
Good flexibility: Easy to knot, handle, and manipulate, making it versatile for a variety of uses.

8. Bungee cord

Bungee cords are a type of cord you’re probably most familiar with. Their characteristics include:

Good strength: Strength varies by cord thickness and construction, though generally not as strong as paracord.
High elasticity: Highly elastic, designed to stretch significantly and return to its original length. Provides shock absorption and flexibility.
Durable: Generally durable but can wear out or fray over time, especially with heavy use.
Good abrasion resistance: Outer sheath may provide some resistance to abrasion, but can wear down with rough use.
Water resistant: Typically water-resistant due to the synthetic rubber or elastic core.
Varied chemical resistance: Resistance to chemicals depends on the material of the outer sheath.
Varied UV resistance: UV resistance depends on the outer material; can degrade over prolonged exposure to sunlight unless treated with UV-resistant coatings.
High flexibility: Extremely flexible and stretchable, allowing for a wide range of uses including securing items, shock absorption, and more.

Common uses of cord

Cord has a wide variety of uses, from DIY craft to survival. The most common uses of cord include:

1. Crafts and DIY projects

Natural fibre cord is often used for creating friendship bracelets, necklaces, and other accessories. You will also often find macrame cord used for creating DIY home decor items, such as plant hangers and wall art.

2. Outdoor activities

Cord, both natural and synthetic, is often used when camping and hiking; ideal for securing gear, tying down tarps, and making temporary clotheslines.

3. Home and garden

Cord can be used around the home and garden for bundling items together, hanging objects, and general organisation – along with other quick DIY home fixes.

5. Sewing and upholstery

Cord is often added in sewing projects, where it can be used for adding decorative touches to clothing and home textiles. It can also be used for adding piping or trim to furniture and cushions.

6. Safety and security

Cords can be used to create physical barriers or demarcate areas, keeping people away from sensitive areas. They can also be employed for restraining or securing animals with leashes or tethers.

What is rope?

Rope is a length of strong, flexible material made by twisting or braiding fibres or strands together. Ropes come in many materials and constructions, each suited to specific tasks and environments.

What is rope made from?

Ropes can be made from a wide variety of materials and fibres, including natural and synthetic ropes, depending on the application and properties needed of the rope.

Natural ropes often use fibres such as cotton, hemp, sisal, manila, and jute, whereas synthetic ropes, on the other hand, are often made of nylon, polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene.

Popular types of rope and their characteristics

So what are the most popular types of rope and how do they behave?

1. Manila rope

Manila ropes are made from the fibres of the abaca plant. Their characteristics include:

Moderate to high strength: Strong and durable, making it suitable for heavy-duty applications.
Low elasticity: Limited stretch, but maintains shape under load.
Good durability: Withstands wear and tear, though it can degrade over time with exposure to weather.
Moderate abrasion resistance: Can withstand some abrasion, but rough surfaces can wear it down over time.
Absorbent: Absorbs water, which can lead to rotting and mildew if not properly dried.
Low chemical resistance: Prone to degradation when exposed to chemicals, oils, and solvents.
Low UV resistance: Can degrade with prolonged UV exposure; not ideal for extended outdoor use without protection.
Moderate flexibility: Fairly flexible, making it easy to handle and knot.

2. Jute rope

Jute ropes, like jute cords, are made from the vegetable fibres of the jute plant. Their characteristics include:

Moderate strength: Suitable for light to medium-duty tasks.
Low elasticity: Minimal stretch, but maintains shape under load.
Moderate durability: Wear and tear resistant to some degree, but less durable than manila or hemp.
Low abrasion resistance: Less resistant to abrasion, meaning it wears out faster under rough conditions.
Absorbent: Absorbs water, making it prone to rot and mildew if exposed to moisture.
Low chemical resistance: Sensitive to chemicals, oils, and solvents.
Low UV resistance: Degrades with prolonged UV exposure.
Moderate flexibility: Fairly flexible and easy to handle, but can become stiff with age.

3. Hemp rope

Hemp ropes, like hemp cords, are made from the fibres of the hemp plant. Their characteristics include:

High strength: Strong and durable, making it suitable for heavy-duty tasks.
Low elasticity: Minimal stretch, but maintains shape under load.
Good durability: Resilient and long-lasting, meaning it withstands rough use.
Good abrasion resistance: Holds up well against abrasion.
Absorbent: Absorbs water but dries relatively quickly; making it resistant to mildew.
Moderate chemical resistance: Fair resistance to chemicals, oils, and solvents.
Moderate UV resistance: Performs reasonably well outdoors but can degrade with extended UV exposure.
Moderate flexibility: Generally flexible, making it easy to knot and manipulate.

4. Cotton rope

Cotton ropes, like cotton cords, are one of the most popular types of synthetic ropes. Their characteristics include:

Moderate strength: Suitable for light to medium-duty tasks.
Low to moderate elasticity: Slightly elastic, but not as much as synthetic ropes.
Moderate durability: Generally durable, though it wears out faster with heavy use.
Moderate abrasion resistance: Can wear out with rough use.
Absorbent: Absorbs water, making it prone to mildew and rot if not properly dried.
Low chemical resistance: Sensitive to chemicals, oils, and solvents.
Low UV resistance: Can degrade with prolonged UV exposure.
High flexibility: Very flexible and easy to handle and knot.

5. Sisal rope

Sisal ropes are made from the fibres of the sisal plant. Their characteristics include:

High strength: Strong and durable, capable of handling significant loads and suitable for heavy-duty applications.
Low elasticity: Minimal stretch, maintains its shape under load.
Good durability: Very durable and withstands rough use.

Good wear resistant: Generally resistant to wear and tear.
Good abrasion resistance: Performs well against abrasion, though prolonged contact with rough surfaces can cause wear.

Low absorbency: Naturally water-resistant but can absorb water over time. Prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to rotting if not properly dried.
Moderate chemical resistance: Fairly resistant to some chemicals and solvents, but can degrade when exposed over time.
Moderate UV resistance: Can degrade with prolonged exposure to UV light. Some treatments can improve UV resistance.
Moderate flexibility: Generally flexible and easy to handle, but can become stiffer over time.

6. Nylon rope

Nylon ropes, like nylon cords, are one of the more popular types of synthetic ropes. Their characteristics include:

High tensile strength: Known for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, making it capable of handling heavy loads.
High elasticity: Significant stretch and recovery, which makes it ideal for shock absorption and dynamic loads.
Durable: Resistant to abrasion and wear, though its elasticity can reduce durability over time with frequent stretching.
Good abrasion resistance: Holds up well under abrasive conditions.
Absorbent: Absorbs some water, but generally dries relatively quickly; making it resistant to mildew.
Moderate chemical resistance: Generally resistant to most chemicals but can degrade with prolonged exposure.
Moderate UV resistance: Can degrade with prolonged UV exposure, though treatments can enhance UV resistance.
High flexibility: Very flexible and easy to handle, knot, and work with.

7. Polyester rope

Polyester ropes, like polyester cords, are another popular type of rope. Their characteristics include:

High tensile strength: Strong and capable of handling substantial loads.
Low elasticity: Minimal stretch, which provides stability and control under load.
Highly durable: Excellent durability and resistance to wear, making it suitable for demanding environments.
Good abrasion resistance: Very resistant to abrasion, maintaining performance in rough conditions.
Water resistant: Low water absorption, dries quickly, and resistant to mildew.
Chemical resistant: Generally resistant to most chemicals and solvents.
UV resistant: Good UV resistance, making it suitable for extended outdoor use.
Moderate flexibility: Flexible but less so compared to nylon, but retains shape well.

8. Polypropylene rope

Polypropylene ropes, typically recognised as blue ropes, are incredibly popular. Their characteristics include:

Good strength: Suitable for a range of applications but generally not as strong as nylon or polyester.
Moderate elasticity: Somewhat elastic, though less so than nylon.
Good durability: Durable, but can degrade faster with heavy use.
Moderate abrasion resistance: Can wear out with rough use, but generally holds up well in lighter applications.
Water resistant: Does not absorb water, floats on water, and is resistant to mildew.
Chemical resistant: Highly resistant to chemicals, oils, and solvents.
Low UV resistance: UV resistance is poor and can degrade with prolonged sun exposure.
High flexibility: Very flexible and lightweight.

9. Polyethylene rope

Polyethylene ropes are a lesser known type of rope. Their characteristics include:

Moderate strength: Offers good strength for its weight but generally not as strong as others, making it suitable for light to medium-duty applications=.
Low elasticity: Limited stretch, which provides stability and control under load.
Moderate durability: Resistant to wear and tear, but not as durable as some other synthetic ropes.

Moderate abrasion resistance: Can withstand some abrasion, though it may wear out faster than others.
Water resistant: Does not absorb water, making it buoyant and resistant to mildew and rot.
Chemical resistant: Resistant to many chemicals, oils, and solvents.
Moderate UV resistance: Can degrade with prolonged exposure to UV light, though it generally performs well for most outdoor uses.
High flexibility: Very flexible and easy to handle, making it suitable for tasks that require frequent manipulation and knotting.

Common uses of rope

Rope has a wide and vast range of uses, from outdoor activities to transportation and logistics. The most common uses for rope include:

1. Outdoor activities and sports

Ropes are essential for rock climbing, mountaineering, and ice climbing to provide safety and support. However, they can also be used when camping for setting up tents, hanging gear, and creating makeshift shelters, and boating, for mooring, anchoring, and handling sails.

2. Construction and industrial use

Rope can be used in rigging and hauling, to lift and move heavy materials and equipment on construction sites and other various industrial settings. It can also be used to provide support for scaffolding.

3. Rescue and emergency services

Rope is often used by firefighters, search and rescue teams to help in emergency situations like high-angle rescues. It can also be employed in hazardous environments to prevent falls and provide support.

4. Agriculture and farming

Rope is often used all over farms and agricultural tasks, including being used to secure and control livestock, to create temporary or permanent fences, and to assist in gathering and securing crops.

5. Safety and security

Like cord, rope can be used to create physical barriers, or barriers in safety zones, to protect people from sensitive or dangerous areas – or even just as a barrier for decking in your garden. It can also be used for training purposes, like in emergency preparedness and safety drills.

6. Crafts and DIY projects

Rope is often employed in arts and crafts, for making decorative items like wreaths, wall hangings, and rope baskets. It can also be used in various rope DIY projects around the home, as well as DIY home organisation. Why not explore our best uses for decorative rope, for ideas on how you can get started?

7. Transportation and logistics

Rope is often used to secure cargo in trucks, trailers, and shipping containers. Furthermore, it can be used as a tool to facilitate the movement of goods in warehouses and distribution centres.

8. Military and tactical applications

Rope is almost always used in military, survival and tactical applications – like cord. It can be used for tactical manoeuvres, securing equipment, and creating barriers, along with generally being an essential piece of equipment in survival kits.

Key differences: cord vs rope

Now that you know what cord and rope are, what they’re made from, their characteristics, and their most common uses – what is actually different between them?

1. Diameter and size

Rope is generally thicker and has a larger diameter, compared to cord. It is designed to handle heavier loads and stresses, whereas cord is typically thinner, has a smaller diameter, and is used for lighter tasks and applications.

2. Strength

Rope typically has greater tensile strength, making it suitable for heavy-duty tasks like lifting, hauling, and securing large objects. Cord, on the other hand, generally has less tensile strength and is used for lighter tasks and applications where heavy lifting is not required.

3. Flexibility

Cord is usually more flexible and easier to handle, compared to rope, which is often stiffer due its thickness. This is because cord generally has smaller diameters and a thinner construction.

4. Applications

Rope is more often used in heavy-duty applications such as climbing, construction, maritime activities, and industrial settings – tasks that require significant strength and durability. Cord, on other hand, is more regularly used in crafts, sewing, gardening, camping, and other light-duty tasks.

5. Cost

Rope is often found to be more expensive than cord, particularly for high-strength or specialised ropes used in heavy-duty applications. Cord is generally less expensive – reflecting its lighter duty and smaller size.

When it comes to cords and ropes, we’d like to think that we know a thing or two. Head over to our handy Rope Source blog for more insights, or contact our friendly team for expert advice on what you need for your next project!