LoopBeginner

Figure-eight loop

Get to know Figure-eight loop: what it does, when to use it, what to check and the mistakes to avoid.

Figure-of-eight loop · figure 8 on a bight

Figure-eight loop: finished knot diagram

1The knot in plain words

In one sentence…

The figure-eight loop is a figure-eight knot tied in a doubled rope: a secure fixed loop you can check at a glance.

What does it do?

It makes a fixed loop at the end of a rope. You tie an ordinary figure-eight knot with the rope doubled.

When do I use it?

When you want a secure loop to clip or hook onto something, and you won't need to untie it in a hurry.

Why is it popular?

Its shape is so distinctive that you can see at a glance whether it's tied right.

When not?

When you'll want to untie it easily after a heavy load: it can jam. And this page is not climbing or rescue training.

2Knot ID card

Knot family: Fixed loop
Difficulty: Beginner
Holds a steady load: Yes, the loop keeps its size
Unties after load: Hard after a heavy load
Weak point: Jams; can't be tied under load
Also called: Figure 8 on a bight; double figure eight

3How to check it

Step-by-step tying is being checked on real rope before we publish it. Until then, use the illustration and the checks below.

You can see a clear figure-eight shape made of paired strands.
The paired strands run side by side and don't cross each other.
The loop is the size you want and the tail is clearly long.

4Key points

1.
Figure-eight loop = a figure-eight knot in a doubled rope.
2.
Keep the paired strands parallel so the knot is easy to check.
3.
Secure and easy to inspect, but it can jam after heavy loads.
4.
Not a life-safety lesson: climbing and rescue need proper training.

5Frequent mistakes

Mistake: Letting the paired strands cross inside the knot.
Correct: Dress it so the strands run side by side: a messy knot is hard to check.
Mistake: Tying a plain overhand knot in the doubled rope.
Correct: Take the extra turn behind the standing parts so it forms an eight; an overhand loop is very hard to untie.
Mistake: Choosing it for a loop you'll need to untie soon after a heavy pull.
Correct: Where easy untying matters, a bowline is usually the better choice.

6Don't mix it up

7Questions sailors ask

What is a figure-eight loop used for?

To make a secure fixed loop at the end of a rope that you can clip or hook onto something. It's popular because it's so easy to check.

Figure 8 loop vs bowline: which is better?

The figure-eight loop is secure and easy to check, but it can jam. The bowline unties easily after a load, so choose it when you'll need to cast off.

Why is my figure-eight loop so hard to untie?

After a heavy load the figure-eight loop tends to jam. Loosen it bit by bit by pushing the paired strands apart.

Can I learn climbing or rescue knots here?

No. The figure-eight loop is used in climbing and rescue, but this page covers boat use only and is not life-safety training.

8Test yourself

Question 1/4

How do you tie a figure-eight loop?

Test all knots in the knots exam →

Screen study teaches what the knot is for and how to check it. It doesn't prove you can tie it: practise with real rope, and never use these knots for climbing, rescue or anything that holds a person.

Sources

Content reviewed on September 21, 2026