Sailing knots · Stopper

How to Tie a Figure Eight Stopper Knot

A figure eight is the stopper knot sailors tie in the end of sheets and halyards so they cannot run out through a block or fairlead. Make a loop, take the end round behind the standing part, then tuck it down through the loop to form an '8'.

A finished figure-eight knot tied in red rope
Markus Bärlocher, Public domain
Type
Stopper
Used for
Preventing a rope from running through a block, cleat, or fairlead. Also used as the basis for the figure-eight follow-through.
Strength retained
~80% of rope strength

How to tie a figure eight, step by step

  1. 1

    Make a loop

    Take the working end back over the standing part to form a loop.

    Drawing of the three stages of a figure-eight knot: loop, wrap, tuck
    Jazzmanian at English Wikibooks, Public domain
  2. 2

    Wrap around the standing part

    Take the working end round behind the standing part.

  3. 3

    Tuck down through the loop

    Bring the working end back over the front and push it down through the original loop.

  4. 4

    Pull tight

    Pull both ends to dress the knot. It should show a clear '8' shape and leave a tail of at least four rope diameters.

    The finished figure-eight knot
    Markus Bärlocher, Public domain

Tip

Easy to untie even after heavy loading. Leave a generous tail (at least 4x rope diameter).

Common mistakes

  • Leaving too short a tail. Leave at least four times the rope's diameter so the knot cannot shake undone.
  • Tying it in a halyard you may need to let fly. A stopper in the wrong place can jam at the worst moment.
  • Tucking the end up through the loop instead of down, which gives an overhand knot that jams hard.

Related knots

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

Frequently asked questions

Why use a figure eight instead of an overhand knot?

It is bulkier, so it stops a rope more reliably, and it is far easier to untie after it has been jammed against a block.

Where should you put figure eight knots on a yacht?

In the tail of each jib sheet and in the ends of halyards and control lines, so a rope you let go cannot disappear through its fairlead or up the mast.