Sailing knots · Loop

How to Tie a Bowline Knot

A bowline makes a fixed loop in the end of a rope that will not slip or tighten under load, yet unties easily afterwards. Make a small loop in the standing part, bring the end up through it, round behind the standing part, and back down through the small loop.

A finished bowline tied in red climbing rope
Markus Bärlocher, Public domain
Type
Loop
Used for
Creating a fixed loop at the end of a line. Used for mooring, attaching sheets to sails, and rescue. Will not slip or jam under load.
Strength retained
~65% of rope strength

How to tie a bowline, step by step

  1. 1

    Make a small loop

    Form a small overhand loop in the standing part (the 'rabbit hole'), with the working end lying on top. Leave enough tail for the size of loop you want.

    A small overhand loop formed in white rope, tail leading off to the right
    Der Barbar, CC BY-SA 4.0
  2. 2

    Up through the hole

    Bring the working end up through the small loop from underneath — 'the rabbit comes out of the hole'.

    The working end passed up through the small loop
    Der Barbar, CC BY-SA 4.0
  3. 3

    Round the tree and back down

    Take the working end behind the standing part — 'round the tree' — then back down through the small loop the way it came up.

    The working end taken round the standing part and back down through the small loop
    Der Barbar, CC BY-SA 4.0
  4. 4

    Dress and tighten

    Hold the working end and the side of the big loop together and pull against the standing part. Check the tail finishes inside the loop.

    The bowline pulled snug
    Der Barbar, CC BY-SA 4.0
  5. 5

    Check the finished knot

    You should see a fixed loop that cannot slip, with a collar around the standing part and the tail lying inside the loop.

    The finished bowline with a fixed loop and the tail inside it
    Der Barbar, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tip

Add a stopper knot (figure eight) on the tail for extra security in critical applications. A bowline can shake loose when not under load.

Common mistakes

  • Making the small loop the wrong way round, so the end falls out when you load it. The working end must lie on top of the standing part when you form the loop.
  • Finishing with the tail outside the big loop. This 'cowboy' or left-handed bowline is weaker and can catch on things.
  • Trusting it when it is not under load. A bowline in a flogging sheet can shake loose, so check it often or back it up.

Related knots

See all 8 knots in the knot guide or practise them in the knot game.

Frequently asked questions

What is a bowline used for on a boat?

Tying the jib sheets to the clew of the sail, putting a loop over a bollard or post when mooring, and making a loop round someone in a rescue. It is the standard way to make a fixed loop.

Can you untie a bowline after it has been loaded?

Yes. Push the collar round the standing part forward to 'break its back' and the knot loosens, even after heavy loading. This is its main advantage over most other loops.

Is a bowline safe for climbing?

Climbers generally use a figure-eight follow-through instead, because a bowline can loosen when it is not loaded. On a boat, a bowline is fine for sheets and mooring lines.