Figure-Eight Loop
Also called Figure-eight on a bight, Flemish loop
A Figure-Eight Knot tied in a doubled rope. It makes a strong fixed eye that is easy to check by eye, which is why climbers use it.
- Difficulty
- ●○○ Easy
- Security
- Very high
- Untying
- Hard
Drag to turn the knot. Scroll or pinch to zoom.
- 1Double the end of the rope into a long bight. You tie with the doubled rope.
- 2Bring the bight up and across the doubled standing part to make a loop.
- 3Carry it on round, behind the standing part.
- 4Bring it back down through the first loop.
- 5Pull the bight through to make the eye. Dress every strand so it runs parallel.
- 6Hold the eye and pull each of the four strands in turn to set the knot.
Arrow keys step through. Tags show whether the moving end passes over or under.
Knots used to hold people need training. Learn life-safety knots from a qualified instructor, and have a partner check every one before it is loaded.
Use it for
- A loop to clip a carabiner into, at the end or in the middle of a rope.
- Anchors and rescue systems.
- Any loop that must not slip, where untying is less important.
Watch out
- Check that every part runs doubled and parallel, with no crossed strands.
- For tying into a harness, tie a single Figure-Eight and follow it back through: the threaded version.
- It is hard to untie after a heavy load.
Untying
Bend the knot sharply back and forth, then push the top bight down to open it.