NósSecção 02
Cordel de paracord
Why: resistente e leve: serve para quase todos os nós deste guia.
Essential guide · Base level · 7 min
Essential guideBase level · open to all7 min read
Six essential knots: how to tie and how to check them
Overhand, square knot, bowline, figure-eight loop, clove hitch and round turn with two half hitches — what each is for, how to tie it and how to check it, following the US Army mountaineering manual.
Reviewed 1 Oct 2026
05·ASix knots for almost everything
In 30 seconds
The essentials, in four points.
6 knots
are enough to pitch a tarp, tie down a load, fix a rope to a tree and make a fixed loop. Better to know six well than twenty badly.
10 cm
of spare tail, at least, after tightening the knot. With short tails, a knot can work loose with movement.
Check
Before trusting a knot, make sure it has the right shape, is well tightened and nothing is crossed or twisted.
People
Never use improvised rope, or knots learned from a guide, to suspend, climb or rescue people. That needs certified equipment and training.
01Why it matters
A good knot holds. A bad knot slips when you need it most.
Knots are useful for very practical things in an emergency: stretching a tarp, tying a load to a roof rack, hanging a bag from a tree, rigging a washing line or closing a torn backpack. You don't need dozens. You need to know half a dozen well — and to recognise when a knot is tied wrong.
The safest way to learn is from someone who knows: scouts, mountaineering, sailing or climbing clubs. This guide is for reminding and checking.
Which knot for what
| Knot | What for |
|---|---|
| Overhand knot | Stop a rope end; the base of other knots |
| Square (reef) knot | Join two ends of the same thickness, without heavy load |
| Bowline | Fixed loop around a tree or post |
| Figure-eight loop | Very secure fixed loop, easy to check |
| Clove hitch | Quickly fix a rope to a post or pole |
| Round turn and two half hitches | Fix a loaded rope to a tree or ring |
Steps and checks follow the US Army mountaineering manual (FM 3-97.61).
02The six knots
How to tie them — and how to check them.
Overhand knot
Stop an endMake a loop with the end of the rope, pass the end through the loop and tighten. It stops the end slipping through an eyelet or another knot, and it's the «safety knot» tied at the end of many others.
Square (reef) knot
Join two ends1
Right over left: cross the end in your right hand over the one in your left and pass it under.
2
Left over right: now cross the left-hand end over the right and pass it under.
3
Tighten and secure with an overhand knot on each end.
4
Check: two interlocking loops, and each end comes out on the same side as its own rope. If the ends come out diagonally, it's a granny knot, which slips.
Bowline
Fixed loop1
Pass the end around the tree or the object you're tying to.
2
Make a small loop in the standing part of the rope (the part that will be under tension).
3
Pass the end up through that loop, around the standing part, and back down through the loop.
4
Tighten and secure with an overhand knot on the end.
5
Check: the loop doesn't slide when you pull, and the end sits on the inside of the loop, with at least 10 cm to spare.
Figure-eight loop
Fixed loop, easy to check1
Double the rope and work with the bight, as big as the loop you want.
2
Make a loop with the bight, take it once fully around both strands and pass it through the loop.
3
Tighten well. The knot should look like an «8».
4
Check: the strands run side by side without crossing, and the loop is the right size.
Clove hitch
Quick fix to a post1
Make two identical loops in the rope, one with each hand.
2
Put the left loop on top of the right and slip both over the post or pole.
3
Pull the two ends in opposite directions.
4
Check: two turns around the post with a diagonal bar across them; the ends come out on opposite sides. On its own, it can slide with loads that pull sideways.
Round turn and two half hitches
Fix under load1
Take one full turn around the tree or ring, without crossing the rope.
2
Pass the end over the standing part and through: that's the first half hitch.
3
Repeat for the second half hitch, in the same direction.
4
Check: one full turn with no crossings and two tight half hitches, with at least 10 cm of tail.
03The rope
A knot is only as good as the rope.
1
Inspect the rope before each use: frayed or cut spots, mildew, rot or defects.
2
Protect it from sharp edges. Synthetic rope cuts easily under tension. Put a cloth or a piece of bark between the rope and the edge.
3
Any rope can break with sudden jerks, sharp edges or misuse. Never stand under or in line with a rope under tension.
4
Store it dry and coiled, away from sunlight and chemicals.
04Six costly mistakes
Knot myths — and what to do instead.
Myth
“The more knots, the safer.”
Knots on top of knots are hard to check and to undo. One correct knot, well tightened, with a spare tail.
Myth
“If I learned it on video, I can tie it.”
You only know it when you can tie it without thinking, in the dark, with cold hands. Practise.
Myth
“The square knot works for everything.”
Only for equal ropes without heavy load. To tie to a tree, use a bowline or a round turn and two half hitches.
Myth
“Any rope will do to lower or lift someone.”
Never. Suspending people requires certified rope and equipment and training. Call 112.
Myth
“A short tail looks tidier.”
With short tails, a knot can come undone. Always leave at least 10 cm.
Myth
“The rope's fine, it's just a bit frayed.”
A frayed spot is a weak point. Cut it out or use that rope only for jobs without load.
05Recommended equipment
A good rope and spare cord.
A few metres of strong cord handle most jobs in an emergency. Keep it in your grab bag and day pack, next to the tarp.
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CordaSecção 03
Corda de 8 mm (10 m)
Why: para cargas e para praticar os nós com as mãos.
Quick card
Print it. Keep it with your ropes.
Keep it with your ropes and tarp.
Six knots · K72 sheet
1Overhand: stop an end · Square knot: join equal ends, no load
2Bowline and figure-eight loop: fixed loop
3Clove hitch: fix to a post · Round turn and two half hitches: under load
4Always 10 cm of tail · check before trusting
5Inspect the rope · protect from sharp edges
6Never improvised rope to suspend people — 112
05·A · k72plus.comEMERGENCY: 112
- US Army — FM 3-97.61 Military Mountaineering, chapter 4: rope management and knots — steps and checkpoints for each knot, rope inspection and care
Reviewed 1 Oct 2026 · Next review: Mar 2027 · Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
This guide does not replace hands-on training. Never use rope or knots to suspend, climb or rescue people without certified equipment and training. In an emergency, call 112.