KNOTWORKS
Tie it, splice it, whip it — ropework and knots for every use.
From estimating the rope you need and finding the right knot for the job to understanding working load limits, planning a paracord project, and getting a splice or whipping right the first time, KnotWorks pairs free hands-on calculators with plain-spoken guides and a richly illustrated museum. Tie smarter, hold stronger.
Rope & Knot Calculators
Free tools for ropework — rope length estimator, knot selector, working load limit guide, paracord calculator, splice tuck counter, and whipping length calculator.
Rope Length Estimator
Add up the run length, a per-knot allowance, and a waste margin across however many pieces you need, to see exactly how much rope to buy
Knot Selector
Pick your use case — sailing, climbing and rescue, decorative and Chinese knotting, fishing, general utility, or camping — and get a short list of knots that fit
Working Load Limit Guide
General guidance, not a safety certification. Divide a rope's rated breaking strength by a design factor, with an optional derating for a knot or splice
Paracord Needed Calculator
Work out how much 550 paracord a Cobra, King Cobra, or Fishtail bracelet or lanyard needs from the finished length and weave
Splice Tuck Counter
Get a recommended tuck count for a 3-strand eye splice, or the bury length for double-braid, plus the extra rope it will consume
Whipping Length Calculator
See how many wraps and how much twine it takes to whip a rope end, worked from the rope's own circumference
Knots & Ropework Museum
Wander an immersive museum of the world of rope and knots — the sailor and maritime knots that hold ships and rigging together, the climbing and rescue knots trusted to hold a life, the decorative and Chinese knotting traditions turned into art, and the fishing knots that keep a catch on the line, each in its own gallery, so you can get to know the stories behind every knot: where it came from, why it holds, and what it’s actually for.
Tour the museum →From the Journal
Fresh guides on knot-tying basics, splicing and whipping, paracord crafts, rope care and selection, and sailing and rigging, plus practical tips for climbing and rescue knots.
How to Tie a Bowline (And Why It's the First Knot Everyone Learns)
The bowline forms a fixed loop that won't slip under load yet unties easily afterward. Here's the step-by-step, the classic mnemonic, and where the bowline falls short.
3-Strand vs Double-Braid: Choosing the Right Rope for the Job
Twisted (3-strand) and double-braid rope behave differently under load, splice differently, and suit different jobs. Here's how to tell them apart and pick the right one.
How to Splice a 3-Strand Eye Splice, Step by Step
An eye splice keeps far more of a rope's strength than a knot does. Here's the tuck-by-tuck process for a 3-strand splice, the tools you need, and how many tucks is enough.
Whipping a Rope End: Common Whipping vs Sailmaker's Whipping
Whipping binds a rope end with twine so it can't fray or unlay. Here's how the common (plain) whipping and the more durable sailmaker's whipping differ, and when to use each.
The Cobra Weave: Tying Your First Paracord Bracelet
The Cobra (Solomon bar) weave is the fastest way into paracord crafting. Here's what 550 cord actually is, the weave step by step, and how to size and finish a bracelet cleanly.
Sailing Knots Every Beginner Should Know: Cleat Hitch, Bowline, and Clove Hitch
A handful of trusted knots does most of the work on any boat. Here's how to tie a cleat hitch, a bowline for a sheet, and a clove hitch — plus why sailors lean on so few knots.
Keep Learning
Plain-language explainers on sailor and maritime knots, climbing and rescue knots, decorative and Chinese knotting, and fishing knots — everything you need to dig deeper and tie with confidence.
Visit the Learn hub →