A red and black climbing rope tied securely with a knot and attached to a golden carabiner, demonstrating proper safety setup.

Climbing Knots: Learn the Most Reliable Knots for Climbers

Climbing knots are the foundation of safe and efficient climbing, serving as critical tools for tying in, building anchors, and navigating emergency situations. From my experience, learning these knots has not only made me a more confident climber but has also prepared me for unforeseen challenges on the wall. This guide highlights the most essential climbing knots, when to use them, and how they’ve proven invaluable to me during my climbing adventures.


Table of Contents


Climbing Knots Every Climber Should Know

Figure-Eight Follow-Through Knot

The figure-eight follow-through is the go-to knot for tying into your harness, known for its strength, reliability, and ease of inspection.

  • How to Tie:
    1. Create a figure-eight knot in the rope, leaving enough tail to work with.
    2. Thread the tail through the harness’s tie-in points.
    3. Retrace the original figure-eight by following the rope back through the loops.
    4. Pull everything tight and check that it’s neat and secure.
  • When to Use: Tying into your harness before a climb.

The most valuable of all climbing knots. It gives me confidence before any climb. It’s easy to check for mistakes, and once tied, I know I’m securely attached and ready to focus on the route.

Double Fisherman’s Knot

This durable knot is used for joining two ropes or creating loops for climbing accessories like prusik cords.

  • How to Tie:
    1. Lay the two rope ends parallel to each other.
    2. Wrap one end around the other rope twice, threading it under itself to form an overhand knot.
    3. Repeat with the other rope end around the first rope.
    4. Pull both knots tight so they slide together securely.
  • When to Use: Joining ropes for rappels or creating strong loops.

This knot has been a game-changer when joining ropes for long rappels. I know it won’t slip, even in challenging conditions like rain or ice.

Clove Hitch

This adjustable knot is excellent for attaching to anchors or quickly securing ropes to carabiners.

  • How to Tie:
    1. Wrap the rope around the carabiner once.
    2. Cross the rope over itself and wrap it around the carabiner again.
    3. Clip the second loop into the carabiner and pull it snug.
  • When to Use: Attaching yourself to an anchor or securing ropes in multi-pitch climbing.

I use this knot regularly for anchor setups. The ability to adjust it without untying saves so much time, especially when I need to reposition myself quickly.

Munter Hitch

The Munter hitch is perfect for emergency belaying or rappelling when a belay device isn’t available.

  • How to Tie:
    1. Create a loop in the rope.
    2. Twist the loop once to create a second loop.
    3. Clip both loops into a locking carabiner and lock it.
  • When to Use: Emergency belaying or rappelling situations.

This knot saved me during an unplanned rappel when I didn’t have my belay device. It’s easy to tie, and the friction control gave me a smooth descent.

Bowline Knot

The bowline creates a secure loop at the end of a rope, useful for anchors or alternative harness tie-ins.

  • How to Tie:
    1. Make a small loop near the end of the rope.
    2. Pass the rope’s tail through the loop from underneath.
    3. Wrap the tail around the standing rope and bring it back through the loop.
    4. Tighten the knot by pulling on the standing rope and tail.
  • When to Use: Securing anchor points or tying into a harness.

I like using the bowline for anchor setups because it’s easy to untie even after it’s been loaded heavily which is a useful feature for climbing knots. Sometimes, you get too pumped and the rope becomes harder to untie than completing the actual route.

Prusik Knot

This friction hitch is essential for rope ascension, self-rescue, or as a rappel backup.

  • How to Tie:
    1. Wrap a loop of cord around the climbing rope 3–5 times.
    2. Thread the loop through itself, forming a tight hitch.
    3. Slide the knot up or down the rope to adjust it.
  • When to Use: Ascending ropes, backup during rappels, or self-rescue.

I’ve relied on the prusik for backup on long rappels, and its adjustability under load gives me peace of mind.

Water Knot (Overhand Knot)

The water knot is ideal for joining webbing, especially for creating slings or anchors.

  • How to Tie:
    1. Tie an overhand knot in one end of the webbing.
    2. Take the other end of the webbing and retrace the overhand knot in reverse.
    3. Pull both ends tight and check that the webbing lies flat without twists.
  • When to Use: Joining webbing for slings or anchors.

The water knot is my go-to for making quick slings. It’s simple to tie and holds up under weight, even during intense climbs.

Alpine Butterfly Knot

The alpine butterfly creates a loop in the middle of a rope, perfect for equalizing anchors or isolating damaged sections.

  • How to Tie:
    1. Make a loop in the rope.
    2. Twist the loop twice.
    3. Pull the bottom loop up and through the top loops.
    4. Tighten the knot to secure the loop.
  • When to Use: Creating a fixed loop in the middle of a rope.

I love using this knot for equalizing anchors. It distributes weight evenly and holds securely.

Double Figure-Eight (Bunny Ears Knot)

The bunny ears knot is great for creating two equal loops, making it perfect for multi-point anchors.

  • How to Tie:
    1. Form a figure-eight knot but leave extra rope.
    2. Divide the loop into two equal loops.
    3. Adjust and tighten the loops to ensure they’re even.
  • When to Use: Setting up two-point anchors.

I’ve used this knot for equalizing multi-point anchors, and it simplifies the process while keeping everything secure.


Mastering climbing knots is essential for every climber, whether you’re tackling indoor routes, alpine ascents, or technical rock faces. Knots like the figure-eight follow-through, prusik, Munter hitch, and alpine butterfly provide the foundation for safety, efficiency, and versatility in climbing scenarios. By practicing these knots until they become second nature, you’ll climb with confidence and be prepared for any situation, from securing anchors to performing self-rescue.


FAQs

How do you tie a figure 8 knot?

To tie a figure-eight knot, create a loop in the rope, pass the tail end over and around the standing part, and then pull the tail through the loop to form the figure-eight shape. This knot is strong, reliable, and perfect for tying into your harness or creating secure loops.

How do you climb a tree with a Blake’s hitch?

To climb a tree with a Blake’s hitch, tie the hitch around your climbing rope using a prusik loop or a short cord. Attach the hitch to your harness, ensuring it’s properly set up to slide as you ascend but lock in place when weighted. Use foot loops or spurs for added efficiency during the climb.

How is a Munter hitch different from a clove hitch?

The Munter hitch provides friction for belaying or rappelling, making it useful in emergency situations when a belay device isn’t available. On the other hand, the clove hitch is an adjustable knot used to secure yourself to an anchor or attach a rope to a carabiner.

What’s the purpose of the alpine butterfly knot?

The alpine butterfly knot creates a secure loop in the middle of a rope, making it ideal for equalizing anchors or isolating a damaged section of rope. It’s easy to tie, even under tension, and distributes weight evenly across multiple points.