Figure Eight on a Bight
The fast way to put a strong loop anywhere you can fold the rope. Double the rope into a bight, then tie a figure eight with the doubled strand — done in seconds.
How to tie the Figure Eight on a Bight
- Fold the rope to form a bight at the point where you want the fixed loop. Treat the doubled rope as if it were a single working end.
- Cross the bight over the doubled standing part to form a loop.
- Carry the bight around behind the doubled standing part, completing the extra turn that gives the knot its figure-eight path.
- Pass the bight through the original loop.
- Dress the doubled strands so they lie parallel around both lobes, then pull the standing parts and finished loop in opposite directions to set the knot.
How to inspect it
The finished knot should have the familiar two-lobed figure-eight shape, with two strands lying side by side throughout. The loop should emerge without twists, and there should be no isolated crossover hidden beneath the knot.
Common mistakes
The most common error is tying a doubled Overhand Knot instead of completing the extra figure-eight turn. Crossed strands make inspection harder and can concentrate pressure, so work slack around the knot until both paths lie cleanly together.
Rope and material notes
A medium-diameter braided rope makes the doubled path easiest to learn. Stiff rope may resist dressing, while soft or slick cord can collapse into a less readable shape. Critical applications require the rope, knot, and attachment system to be evaluated together.
Safety note: These steps support practice and recognition. Climbing, rescue, lifting, towing, and other critical systems require qualified instruction and equipment-specific procedures.
Which knot should you choose?
Choose the Figure Eight on a Bight when you can fold the rope and need a fixed loop without access to either end. Use the Figure Eight Follow Through when the loop must be formed through a closed attachment point, and consider the Alpine Butterfly Loop when the loop belongs in the middle of a tensioned line.
Why it earns its place
Strong, stable, and quick. Ideal for clipping a carabiner to the middle or end of a rope, building anchors, or making a secure loop without threading anything.
Where it fails
Because it's tied with a bight, you can't tie it around a closed ring — use the Follow Through version for that. Like all figure eights, it can jam after heavy loading.
Quick facts
| Type | Loop on a bight |
| Under load | Very secure |
| Untying | Can jam when shocked |
| Best for | Clipping carabiners, anchors |
External reference
KnotStyle provides the selection advice, written practice sequence, inspection points, and cautions above. Use this independent animation as an additional visual reference.
View external animation ↗Source and editorial notes
Reference: Animated Knots by Grog: Figure Eight on a Bight. Source checked 2026-09-30. Selection advice and difficulty ratings are editorial judgments, not strength tests. How this guide is prepared.