Sailing knots · Bend

How to Tie a Sheet Bend

A sheet bend joins two ropes, even when they are different sizes. Make a U-shaped bight in the thicker rope, pass the thinner rope up through it, round behind both legs, and tuck it under itself.

A sheet bend joining a red rope and a green rope
Markus Bärlocher, Public domain
Type
Bend
Used for
Joining two ropes of different diameters. Essential for attaching lighter lines to heavier ones.
Strength retained
~55% of rope strength

How to tie a sheet bend, step by step

  1. 1

    Form a bight in the thicker rope

    Fold the end of the thicker (or stiffer) rope back on itself to make a U-shaped bight.

  2. 2

    Up through the bight

    Pass the end of the thinner rope up through the bight from underneath.

    Green rope passed up through a bight in yellow rope
    Der Barbar, CC BY-SA 4.0
  3. 3

    Round behind both legs

    Take the thin end round behind both legs of the bight.

    The green rope taken round behind both legs of the yellow bight
    Der Barbar, CC BY-SA 4.0
  4. 4

    Tuck under itself

    Tuck the thin end under its own standing part — not through the bight. Both tails should end up on the same side.

    The green rope tucked under itself to form the sheet bend
    Der Barbar, CC BY-SA 4.0
  5. 5

    Tighten

    Hold the bight and pull the thin standing part to set the knot.

    The finished sheet bend pulled tight
    Der Barbar, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tip

For very different sizes, use a Double Sheet Bend (two wraps instead of one). Both tails must exit on the same side.

Common mistakes

  • Tucking the thin end back through the bight instead of under itself. The knot then pulls straight out.
  • Leaving the two tails on opposite sides. This 'left-handed' sheet bend is weaker; both tails should finish on the same side.
  • Using a single sheet bend for very different sizes or slippery rope. Take a second turn round to make a double sheet bend.

Related knots

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a sheet bend and a reef knot?

A sheet bend holds when the ropes are different sizes and when it is loaded; a reef knot is only for tying reef points or bundling things, and can slip apart if used to join two ropes under load.

When would you use a sheet bend on a yacht?

To lengthen a line by joining another to it, for example a longer line for a tow or a heaving line tied to a mooring warp.