Knot & Rigging MARITIME TOOLKIT
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KNOTS & SPLICES

Figure-eight

A strong, symmetrical stopper and loop knot — the standard where the load matters more than easy untying.

INSPECT BEFORE LOAD · NEVER EXCEED WLL

Rope, splices and hardware are only as good as their condition. Inspect before every use and retire on evidence.

Figure-eight — nautical chart line drawing

Specification

TypeStopper / fixed loop (retraced)
Strength retention75–80%
Easily untiedModerate — can jam after load
Suitable diameter6–16 mm
Jam riskModerate to high
Common errorIncomplete retrace, tail exits wrongly

Technical parameters

Retention (stopper)≈ 75%
Retention (retraced loop)75–80%
Tie time15–30 s
Tails left≥ 10 × diameter
Best onNylon, polyester
InspectionVery easy — symmetrical
TieLoad

Overview

The figure-eight is built from a simple overhand loop with the working end passed through it, giving a knot that is symmetrical, easy to inspect and strong. As a stopper it will not pull through a block or a fairlead; retraced back through itself it becomes a loop that is widely used wherever a strong termination is needed.

It retains roughly seventy-five to eighty per cent of the line's strength — better than a bowline, because the load path is smoother and the turns are gentler. The trade is that it can jam solid after a heavy load, especially in small-diameter or stiff line.

Inspection is the figure-eight's quiet advantage. Its shape is unmistakable: two parallel strands on one side, a clean pair of loops on the other. A knot that is wrong is visibly wrong, which matters when someone else is checking your work.

Safety notes

  • A retraced figure-eight must be followed strand by strand before it is loaded; a missed step leaves a knot that looks almost right.
  • It can jam after a heavy load. If you must untie it often, a bowline or a slipped variant is the better choice.
  • As a stopper, position it where it cannot be drawn into a block under load.

Using it well

  • Tie it loosely, dress it so the strands lie parallel, then set it firmly by hand before loading.
  • Use a figure-eight on a bight where you need a loop that can be clipped without access to an end.
  • In stiff line, work the knot a little before loading to seat the turns.

Suited to

NylonPolyesterHMPE (with care)Load-bearing loops

Typical applications

ClimbingSailingLoad bearing
Figures are typical catalogue values for new equipment, quoted for comparison and planning. They are not a guarantee for any specific product or any specific load. Always work to the manufacturer’s stated working load limit and to the regulations that apply where you sail.

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