Sailing knots · Hitch
How to Tie a Round Turn and Two Half Hitches
A round turn and two half hitches secures a mooring line to a ring, post or rail and can be untied even under load. Take the rope round the post twice, then make two half hitches round the standing part.
- Type
- Hitch
- Used for
- Securing a mooring line to a ring, rail, or post. Very reliable and easy to untie after loading.
- Strength retained
- ~65% of rope strength
How to tie a round turn & two half hitches, step by step
- 1
Make a round turn
Pass the working end through the ring (or round the post) twice so it wraps fully round. The round turn takes the load while you finish the knot.
Markus Bärlocher, Public domain - 2
First half hitch
Take the working end round the standing part and tuck it through the loop it has just made.
Markus Bärlocher, Public domain - 3
Second half hitch
Make another half hitch the same way, just below the first. Together they form a clove hitch on the standing part.
Markus Bärlocher, Public domain - 4
Dress and tighten
Slide the hitches up snug against the round turn.
Tip
The round turn absorbs most of the load, making the hitches easy to untie. One of the most secure and practical sailing knots.
Common mistakes
- Taking only one turn round the post. It is the full round turn that takes the strain while you tie the hitches.
- Making the two half hitches in opposite directions, which gives a weaker cow hitch.
- Not leaving enough tail to finish both hitches.
Related knots
See all 8 knots in the knot guide or practise them in the knot game.