How to Tie Paracord Knots: Best Ones You Should Know

If you’re new to paracord knots and you want to learn how to do them, I come to your aid with this article that will teach you how to tie paracord knots, step-by-step.

There are many ways to tie a paracord knot and it has many uses. For instance, you can make bracelets that can be very handy in emergency situations. Check my previous article on how to make Paracord bracelets.

Besides climbing gear, you can use paracord for fishing lines, boot laces, sewing your tent back together, or tying up your gear so that it’s easier to keep together and carry. You can learn about different Paracord uses in our article.

Knowing how to tie a knot is very important for all these situations and more, so let’s learn how to do it like a pro!

How to tie the 8 best paracord knots

Now, in order to really understand paracord and its uses, it’s helpful to have a handful of knots in mind. I’ll teach you how to tie the best paracord knots that will come in handy in different situations.

You also want to use knots that come undone quite easily so that you’re not struggling and wasting time, trying to undo each knot.

The Half Hitch

Difficulty: Beginner | Best for: Quick anchoring, securing to a fixed point

The half hitch knot is one of the simplest ways to secure a line to an anchor point, and is an alternative of the overhand knot. The only thing that makes it different is that the knot is formed around the object. Simply loop your paracord through the hitch you want to tie to, and do an overhand knot.

It’s a tightening knot, which means that the harder you pull on it, the tighter the knot is going to get. If you want to make your knot even more secure, you can do a double half hitch by tying another half hitch to the main line. Some visual aid for this Half Hitch Knot in the next video:

The Lanyard Knot

Difficulty: Intermediate | Best for: Decorative finishing, bracelet ends, lanyards

This kind of a knot is a bit more complicated to tie, but it can look quite nice when it’s complete and can make your bracelet look unique.

Attention is definitely required when putting together this kind of knot, as it can be quite easy to slip up and make a mistake.

Here is how to tie the Lanyard knot:

• First, fold your paracord in half and insert two fingers through the loop end.

• Create a loop with the right end and lay it over the left end that is in your palm.

• Using the left cord, go under the right cord and through the loop that is in your palm so that the cord goes over the loop and underneath itself. The shape of the knot should look like a figure 8 with a diamond in the middle.

• Take each end and, moving counterclockwise, pull them through the diamond shape in the middle.

• Tighten up your knot and arrange the parts of the knot with your fingers so that it looks more complete.

It can take some time to get this kind of knot right, but it will seem easier as you practice it more and more.

What’s great about this knot is that, if it ends up in the right place, you can always pull and push on the cords to get it in the right place and flush with the rest of your work.

Below is a video that shows the process from start to finish.

And check out how to make cool designs for Paracord Lanyard knots in my other article.

The Cobra Knot

Difficulty: Intermediate | Best for: Bracelets, straps, flat sturdy weaves

This is one of the first knots that most learn when they start making things out of paracord. But unlike the Lanyard knot, it’s a bit more difficult to master.

Let’s learn how to make the Cobra Knot. You can use it to make a paracord bracelet, with buckle, for example:

• First, you’ll need something to attach your paracord to in order to ensure that your knots are right. You can use the plastic buckle you intend to use for your paracord bracelet, or a simple jump ring.

• You’ll need to find the middle of your paracord by folding it in half and attaching it to whatever you intend to use in the step above using a cow hitch knot (passing the ends through the loop around the anchor).

• Once fastened, take the length of cord on your left, place it under both strands that are connected to the ends of your buckle.

• Be sure to keep a loop on the left side of your strands. Then take the cord on your left, bring it on top of your strands, and pull it through the loop on the left side. Then pull both ends tight to create your knot.

• Repeat the same method but on the opposite side: pull the right cord under the strands, leaving a loop, pull the left cord on top and through the loop on the right side, and pull both ends tight to create another knot.

• Continue alternating the knots until you reach the full length of your bracelet.

What’s great about this kind of knot is that the bracelet can be worn on either side, as the knot looks the same on the outside and the inside of the bracelet.

If you want to see how the Cobra knot is done, above is a helpful video for you to follow.

The Snake Knot

Difficulty: Intermediate | Best for: Tool lanyards, decorative bracelets, durable cord work

This is one of the more intricate knots that you can learn to make, and actually looks quite stylish when you’re finished. But not only is it decorative, it also makes your length of paracord extremely durable, making it perfect for use on your tools with lanyard holes on them.

It can be interesting to use two contrasting colors of paracord together so that you can keep track of which cord during weaving.

• To start off, fold your paracord in half and go through the motions of making an overhand knot, but don’t pull the ends tight.

• Use the opposite cord (the one that you didn’t use to make the first knot) and pass it through the loop, then pull the knot tight.

• Turning it over, you should see that one end with 2 loops, and the other with only 1. Loosen the knot on the side (the one with only one loop), and pull the opposite cord through it. Pull it tight again, and then turn your work over.

• Repeat this motion with the alternating cords until you’ve completed your bracelet.

Here’s a helpful video that goes through each step so that you can ensure you’re doing it correctly:

The King Cobra Knot

Difficulty: Intermediate-Advanced | Best for: Extra-thick straps, added cord storage, standout look

You’d think this would be extremely complicated, given the name, but it’s actually a lot simpler than you think. All it requires is weaving another cobra knot into an already existing project that used the cobra knot.

This can add a lot of versatility, give you even more paracord to work with on your hiking or camping trip, and has a very unique finish that will turn heads.

To combine two cobra knots together, above is a very helpful video that shows you how to achieve this wonderful look.

The Trilobite Knot

Difficulty: Advanced | Best for: Wide bands, belts, heavy-duty straps

This kind of knot is going to call for a lot of paracord, as you’re going to be weaving four cords together. Using two different colors can also help for you to see the pattern and keep a consistent weave so that you don’t make any mistakes.

Using two pieces of paracord fold them both in half and hang them from a nail or a hook until they are both the same length. The two strings in the middle are your core, and the two on the outsides are going to be your weaving material.

• Take one of the exterior strings and bring it around the first inner string, and then under or over the two remaining strings, depending on the knot that was made before it (you want to alternate).

• Keep repeating the process with each cord alternating over the middle strands until it’s complete. The result is a very wide band that has a very sturdy look.

To see how this pattern of weaving is made, here is a step-by-step video detailing the process:

The Rolling Hitch

Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate | Best for: Securing to poles or ropes under directional load

The rolling hitch is an underrated knot that most beginners skip over, and it’s a mistake. It’s designed to attach a rope to a pole, another rope, or any cylindrical object, and its key feature is that it holds firm under lengthwise load in one direction without slipping.

That makes it particularly useful for creating a diagonal pull, setting up a ridgeline, or attaching a secondary line to a loaded rope. Here’s how to do it:

• Wrap the working end of your paracord around the pole or rope twice, both wraps going toward the direction the load will pull from.

• On the third pass, cross the working end over the top of those two wraps and tuck it underneath itself between the wraps and the pole.

• Pull tight. The double wraps should sit on the load side of the knot.

Not sure you got it? There’s a video that goes through the process:

Double Fisherman’s Knot

Difficulty: Intermediate | Best for: Joining two ropes, climbing, rappelling

The Double Fisherman’s Knot is considered to be one of the strongest, as it’s not unlikely it can get loose, and it’s mostly used for attaching two different ropes to each other.

• Overlap the two ends of the ropes.

• Wrap one end around both cords twice.

• Then run this end through the loops formed and pull tight.

• Take the other end and wrap around both ropes, two full turns, the same like the first.

• Pull the end through the two loops formed and pull.

• Now grab the other side of both ropes and pull together to get to each other.

For how sturdy of a knot this is, doesn’t look too complicated, and it’s easy to follow this next video if you need more help with this.

The Bowline

Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate | Best for: Fixed loops, rescue situations, anchoring

If there’s one knot every person who works with rope should know, it’s the bowline. It creates a fixed loop at the end of your cord that won’t slip or tighten under load, and it can still be untied relatively easily afterward, even after carrying significant weight.

Here’s how to tie it:

• Make a small loop in your paracord a few inches from the end, leaving enough of the working end to complete the knot. This small loop is fixed and stays in place throughout.

• Pass the working end up through that loop from underneath.

• Wrap the working end around the back of the standing part of the cord (the long section leading away from the loop).

• Feed the working end back down through the small loop.

• Pull both the working end and the standing part tight.

The classic memory trick is “the rabbit comes up through the hole, goes around the tree, and comes back down the hole.” It sounds silly, but it sticks.

How to tie the easiest paracord knot?

The easiest way to tie a paracord knot is a very basic technique named Half Hitch Knot, that involves taking your rope and using it to form a loop. Then, bring the end of your rope through the loop and pull tight.

This isn’t the most durable, best looking or overall amazing paracord knot, but if you want something simple – this is it. And we also provided instruction in this article if you need more help.

Also read: How to Make a Paracord Rifle Sling

What is the strongest paracord knot?

The Double Fisherman Knot is known as being the most reliable and strongest paracord knot out there. It is used to tie two separate ropes together without weakening in time or undo, like others might.

How do you seal paracord ends?

There are some safe measures you want to take when making paracord knots, and the most important one is sealing the end of the paracord. This is what you have to do:

• Make a clean cut. Using scissors or sharp knife to cut the cord evenly.

• Bring the end of the rope to a lighter.

• Melt the end just a bit, till it becomes black and strings are not visible anymore.

• You can use your fingers to shape the melted end. Be careful though, it’s hot.

• Let it cool off. Blow into it or put it in water, it will quicken the process.

Common Mistakes When Learning to Tie Knots – Avoid Them!

When you’re just starting out learning these knots, you’re bound to make a few mistakes every now and again. It’s understandable, as there’s a lot to keep in mind when you’re putting them to good use.

Knowing what these mistakes are beforehand can make it easier for you to take notice and correct them before it’s too late. So, here they are:

Ending with the wrong kind of knot

When you’ve gotten to the ends of your paracord, you need to use the right knot in order to keep everything in place and prevent it from unraveling.

Using the wrong kind of knot will result in all of your work coming undone and leaving you to start all over again.

Most people who start out making paracord knots tend to end their work with an overhand knot.

This is because everyone knows how to do it (since it’s the first knot everyone learns) but it can leave your work looking extremely unprofessional and sloppy.

The lanyard knot is much more useful, looks more professional, and is actually sturdier than the overhand knot.

Of course, there are a series of more complicated knots that are used to finish off your work, but these will be discussed further in this article.

Melting the ends incorrectly

There are two ways that you can finish off the ends of your paracord incorrectly: you can melt them the wrong way or melt too much.

In melting them the wrong way, this is when you’re using two colors of paracord and want to hide the ends behind the resulted product so your work looks seamless.

However, if you melt them the wrong way, the transition is quite obvious and results in your knots not looking their best.

In melting the two pieces together, you have to press the ends together quite hard to bond them to each other, or else you’ll end up with a hard piece of nylon that can scratch your skin.

Melting off too much is another problem that beginners face, as they may end up using too much heat and setting the entire paracord on fire.

Using a hand lighter can be the best way to take care of this problem, and burn your edges slowly at first so that you can acclimate to how much heat is necessary.

Not getting the length right

It can be difficult in the beginning to estimate just how much paracord you’ll need. It may look like a lot when you’re just starting out, but with practice and patience, you’ll learn to adjust your mindset and estimate how much you’re really going to need in putting your knots to good use.

After all, paracord is cheaper in bulk, so you can practice with as much length as you need over and over again until you get it right.

Wrapping up

Now that you’ve learned about the various kinds of knots that exist for making bracelets and for functional purposes, how would you feel putting all that knowledge to good use?

If you’re feeling creative, you can even try a combination of these knots and more to create a look that is quite unique.

So what are you waiting for? Go out and start trying out these knots! Of course, we’re waiting to hear from you in comments. Let us know about your first paracord weaving experience and how long it took to make your very first bracelet.