Knot & Rigging MARITIME TOOLKIT
3D Studio

DATABASE

Rope & knot database

18 rope entries and 16 knots and splices, side by side. Sort any column, expand a row for detail, and compare up to three entries at once.

How to read the figures

Rope breaking loads are typical catalogue values for new, dry line with a spliced termination. Knot figures are the percentage of line strength the knot retains when correctly tied and dressed. Neither is a rating for a specific product — always work to the manufacturer’s stated working load limit.

Compare Fibre / type Grade / jam risk Typical use Details
Nylon 3-strand Nylon 12 mm 3,600 kg 22% High stretch Anchor rode, dock line
Nylon 3-strand Nylon 16 mm 6,300 kg 22% High stretch Dock line, mooring
Nylon 3-strand Nylon 20 mm 9,600 kg 22% High stretch Mooring, storm lines
Nylon double braid Nylon 14 mm 4,800 kg 18% High stretch Dock line
Polyester double braid Polyester 8 mm 1,900 kg 10% Low stretch Sheets, control lines
Polyester double braid Polyester 10 mm 2,900 kg 10% Low stretch Sheets, halyards
Polyester double braid Polyester 12 mm 4,100 kg 10% Low stretch Sheets, halyards
Polyester double braid Polyester 16 mm 7,200 kg 10% Low stretch Sheets, general rigging
Manila 3-strand Manila 12 mm 900 kg 13% Natural fibre Traditional, decorative
Manila 3-strand Manila 16 mm 1,600 kg 13% Natural fibre Fenders, light duty
Manila 3-strand Manila 20 mm 2,500 kg 13% Natural fibre Traditional rigging
Dyneema 12-strand HMPE 6 mm 4,000 kg 4% Ultra low stretch Halyards, runners
Dyneema 12-strand HMPE 8 mm 6,800 kg 4% Ultra low stretch Halyards, winch lines
Dyneema 12-strand HMPE 10 mm 10,500 kg 4% Ultra low stretch Halyards, rigging
Dyneema 12-strand HMPE 12 mm 14,500 kg 4% Ultra low stretch Heavy rigging
Shock cord Rubber / polyester 8 mm 80 kg 120% Elastic Covers, retention
Shock cord Rubber / polyester 10 mm 130 kg 120% Elastic Covers, light tension
Paracord Type III Nylon 4 mm 249 kg 30% Utility cord Lanyards, whipping
Bowline Fixed loop 6–24 mm 65% Easy Very low jam risk General purpose, rescue
Figure-eight loop Fixed loop 6–16 mm 78% Moderate Moderate jam risk Load bearing, climbing
Figure-eight stopper Stopper 4–16 mm 75% Moderate Moderate jam risk Stopper, end finish
Clove hitch Hitch 6–20 mm 62% Easy Low jam risk Fenders, temporary tie-off
Sheet bend Bend Unequal OK 58% Easy Low jam risk Joining different lines
Double sheet bend Bend Unequal OK 65% Moderate Low jam risk Joining slippery lines
Rolling hitch Hitch 6–16 mm 70% Moderate Low jam risk Snubber, fender adjust
Round turn and two half hitches Hitch 6–20 mm 70% Easy Low jam risk Mooring, permanent tie-off
Alpine butterfly Loop 6–16 mm 72% Easy Very low jam risk Mid-line loop, isolation
Eye splice (3-strand) Splice 6–36 mm 93% Permanent N/A jam risk Termination, halyards
Eye splice (double braid) Splice 6–24 mm 90% Permanent N/A jam risk Termination, sheets
Short splice Splice 6–36 mm 87% Permanent N/A jam risk Repair, joining lines
Long splice Splice 10–40 mm 90% Permanent N/A jam risk Joining where bulk matters
Anchor bend Hitch 8–24 mm 72% Moderate Moderate jam risk Anchor to chain
Constrictor knot Binding 4–12 mm 65% Difficult High jam risk Permanent binding
Prusik Friction hitch Cord to rope 60% Easy Low jam risk Ascending, gripping

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Put the numbers to work

Free tool

Rope Strength Calculator

Fibre→Breaking strength

Breaking strength, working load and stretch for a given fibre, diameter and duty.

Calculator
Free tool

Knot Strength Calculator

Line breaking strength→Strength at the knot

What a knot costs you, and what the line can safely hold once it is tied.

Calculator
Free tool

Rigging Load Calculator

Load weight→Tension per leg

Sling tension against angle — and why a wide angle multiplies the load so fast.

Calculator