Taut-line hitch

What it's for

Tie a taut-line hitch where a line needs to stay tight: tent and dining-fly guylines, a clothesline, or a tarp ridgeline. Slide the knot along the standing part to tighten or loosen the line. When the line is pulled, the turns grip and hold.

How to tie it

New to rope words like working end and bight? See rope words.

1. 1

   Step 1: Go around the stake

   Pass the working end around the stake (or tree) and bring it back along the standing part, leaving a loop.

2. 2

   Step 2: Two turns inside the loop

   Wrap the end around the standing part twice, working back toward the stake, so both turns are inside the loop.

3. 3

   Step 3: One hitch outside the loop

   Bring the end back past the turns, then wrap it once more around the standing part outside the loop and tuck it under itself. Snug everything up.

Check your knot

• Pull on the line: the knot should hold. Push the knot toward the tent: it should slide and make the line tighter.
• The two turns go inside the loop, toward the stake; the last hitch goes outside.
• If it slips on slick rope, add a third turn inside the loop.