The Figure 8 Knot stands as one of the most fundamental and versatile connections you’ll learn, whether you’re rigging fishing gear, securing climbing equipment, or preparing rescue lines. Also known as the Flemish Knot or Savoy, this time-tested knot creates a distinctive figure-eight shape that’s easy to recognize, simple to tie, and remarkably strong. What makes it invaluable is its unique ability to remain easy to untie even after bearing heavy loads, a quality that sets it apart from simpler alternatives like the Overhand Knot that can bind so tightly they become nearly impossible to undo.
What Is the Figure 8 Knot and When to Use It
This knot forms a bulky, symmetrical stopper at the end of your line that prevents rope from sliding through blocks, eyes, or guides. The distinctive eight-shaped configuration distributes pressure evenly across multiple turns, which explains why it typically retains 75-80% of your line’s original breaking strength. Unlike the simple Overhand Knot that creates a small, tight bundle, the Figure 8 Knot produces a larger, more stable stopper that won’t jam under pressure.
Anglers use this knot primarily as a quick stopper knot to prevent line from disappearing through rod guides or up inside equipment. It works exceptionally well on boat rigging where you need to stop a halyard from sliding up inside the mast. Climbers rely on it as the foundation for the Figure 8 Follow Through when tying into a harness, and it serves as the basis for creating secure loops with the Figure 8 Loop on a bight. Kayakers, rafters, and swiftwater rescue professionals depend on it for creating tie-down points along rope lengths and securing lines to anchor points with carabiners. However, this connection has one notable limitation: it can occasionally work loose and fall undone under certain conditions, particularly with slippery synthetic lines. For maximum security in critical applications, consider the Double Overhand Stopper, Stevedore Stopper Knot, or Ashley Stopper Knot, which create larger, more stable stoppers. For exceptionally slippery ropes, the EStar Stopper Knot performs best.
How to Tie the Figure 8 Knot
Mastering this fundamental connection takes just minutes of practice, and the symmetrical pattern makes it easy to check your work.
- Create the Initial Loop: Working with the tag end of your line, form a simple loop by laying the tag end over the standing line. Leave yourself at least 6-8 inches of working length beyond where you plan to tie the knot.
- Wrap Underneath: Take the tag end and pass it completely under the standing line, creating a crossing point. This wrap underneath forms the bottom portion of your figure-eight shape.
- Thread Through the Loop: Bring the tag end back up and pass it through the original loop you created in step one, going from bottom to top. At this point, you should see the distinctive figure-eight pattern beginning to form.
- Dress the Knot: Before tightening, carefully arrange the strands so they lie parallel and neat without any crossed or twisted sections. This dressing process ensures maximum strength and makes the knot easier to inspect and untie later.
- Moisten Before Tightening: Apply water or saliva to the knot to reduce friction and heat that can weaken your line during the tightening process. This step is particularly important with monofilament and fluorocarbon lines.
- Tighten and Inspect: Pull firmly on both the tag end and standing line simultaneously to seat the knot properly. The finished connection should show a clear figure-eight shape with at least six inches of tag end remaining. Trim excess line if desired, leaving at least a quarter-inch tail.
The properly tied knot should tighten neatly without any strands crossing over each other awkwardly, and you should be able to trace the figure-eight pattern clearly with your finger.
Pro Tips for a Stronger Figure 8 Knot
- Start with Adequate Tail Length: Always begin with more tag end than you think you need, at least 8-10 inches for practice. You can measure approximately three feet from the end when creating variations like the Figure 8 Follow Through for climbing applications. Running out of working length mid-knot means starting over.
- Tighten in Stages: Rather than yanking everything tight at once, gradually work the knot snug by pulling on individual strands. This technique helps you maintain proper alignment and prevents the twisted, weakened connections that result from rushed tightening.
- Practice the Visual Inspection: Train yourself to recognize the correct figure-eight shape instantly. Before putting any load on the connection, verify that you can trace two parallel strands at each part of the knot. Your climbing partner should also visual inspect your tie-in knot every single time, whether you’re leading or toproping, inside or outside.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Insufficient Tail Length: Leaving less than six inches of tag end creates a safety hazard, especially in climbing applications where your life depends on the connection. The tail can gradually work back through the knot under repeated loading and unloading cycles. Always leave adequate tail and consider adding a backup knot like a fisherman’s knot if required by your gym or specific application.
- Poor Dressing: Failing to properly arrange the strands before tightening results in crossed lines and reduced strength. Take the extra few seconds to dress the knot carefully, ensuring each strand nestles snugly against its neighbor. This attention to detail can mean the difference between a connection that holds 80% of line strength versus one that fails at 60%.
- Skipping the Moisture Step: Dry-tightening generates excessive friction and heat that can damage line fibers at the molecular level, creating weak points you cannot see. This mistake is particularly problematic with monofilament and fluorocarbon, where heat damage significantly reduces breaking strength.
Best Line Types for the Figure 8 Knot
- Monofilament: This knot performs reliably with standard nylon monofilament, creating a secure stopper that holds well under normal fishing conditions. The knot’s bulk works to your advantage with mono’s natural stiffness, though you must pay careful attention to moistening and gradual tightening to prevent heat damage and line memory issues.
- Fluorocarbon: Fluorocarbon’s harder, denser composition works reasonably well with this connection, though the material’s stiffness means you need to dress the knot especially carefully. The reduced flexibility makes proper strand alignment critical for achieving maximum strength retention.
- Braided Line: While this knot functions with braided line, the slippery nature of many modern braids means you should consider more secure alternatives for critical applications. If you do use it with braid, ensure you leave extra tail length and consider a backup stopper. The EStar Stopper Knot specifically addresses the challenges of slippery synthetic ropes and represents a better choice for braided lines in demanding situations.
Figure 8 Knot vs Bowline Knot
While the Figure 8 Knot excels as a stopper, the Bowline Knot creates a fixed loop at the end of your line. The Bowline makes a reasonably secure loop for fastening a mooring line to a ring or post, but it has different applications than a stopper knot. Choose the Figure 8 when you need to prevent line from running through hardware or create a foundation for more complex connections like the Figure 8 Follow Through. Select the Bowline when you need a loop that won’t slip or bind. For creating loops in the middle of a rope where load can be applied from multiple directions, consider the Alpine Butterfly Loop, which provides a secure loop that handles complex loading scenarios better than either the Figure 8 or Bowline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the figure-8 knot used for?
This knot serves primarily as a stopper to prevent line from sliding through blocks, guides, or other hardware. Anglers use it to stop line from running through equipment, boaters employ it to prevent halyards from disappearing up inside masts, and climbers rely on it as the foundation for tie-in knots. It also works for creating secure loops when tied on a bight and can join two rope lengths together using the Figure 8 Bend variation.
How to do a figure-8 knot step by step?
Create a loop with your tag end crossing over the standing line, then wrap the tag end underneath the standing line. Thread the tag end back through the original loop from bottom to top, dress the knot carefully so all strands lie parallel, moisten it, and tighten gradually. The finished knot should display a clear figure-eight shape with at least six inches of tail remaining.
What are the pros and cons of the figure-8 knot?
The major advantages include ease of tying, strong retention of line strength (typically 75-80%), and the ability to untie easily even after bearing heavy loads. It doesn’t bind like an Overhand Knot and provides a recognizable shape for quick visual inspection. The main disadvantage is that it can occasionally work loose and fall undone, particularly with slippery synthetic lines, which is why climbers using it for tie-in applications must ensure proper dressing and adequate tail length.
Master the Figure 8 Knot
This fundamental connection deserves a permanent place in your knot-tying repertoire, whether you’re rigging fishing tackle, preparing climbing gear, or setting up rescue systems. Practice tying it until the movements become automatic, paying special attention to proper dressing and adequate tail length. The few minutes you invest in mastering this versatile knot will pay dividends every time you need a reliable stopper that stays easy to untie when your day on the water or crag is done.