Overhand Knot
The simplest knot there is: a loop with the end passed through. It's the atom of knotting — dozens of major knots are built from it.
How to tie the Overhand Knot
- Form a loop by crossing the working end over the standing part.
- Pass the working end through the loop.
- Pull the working end and standing part in opposite directions.
- Dress the knot into a compact, single turn without twists or trapped slack.
- Leave a practical tail and confirm that the knot sits where the stopper or component knot is intended.
How to inspect it
The finished knot is a single compact crossing with the working end passing once through the loop. It should not contain the extra turn of a Figure Eight Knot or the two wraps of a Double Overhand Knot.
Common mistakes
The Overhand Knot is easy to tie but can jam severely and may be too small to act as an effective stopper. It is also commonly confused with a Half Hitch, which is tied around another object or rope part.
Rope and material notes
In soft rope the knot can become very tight; in stiff or slick rope it may remain bulky or migrate. Confirm that its finished size is large enough for the opening or role it is meant to serve.
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 an Overhand Knot as a basic stopper or as a component of another knot. Choose a Figure Eight Knot for a bulkier stopper that is usually easier to inspect and untie, or an Ashley Stopper when maximum practical bulk is required.
Why it earns its place
Instant, universal, and the foundation you need before learning anything else. As a quick stopper in string or a sewing thread anchor, it does the job.
Where it fails
Jams hopelessly tight in rope under load and meaningfully weakens the strand it's tied in. In anything bigger than string, tie a figure eight stopper instead.
Quick facts
| Type | Basic stopper |
| Under load | Jams badly |
| Untying | Often impossible |
| Best for | String, thread, foundations |
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: Overhand Knot. Source checked 2026-09-30. Selection advice and difficulty ratings are editorial judgments, not strength tests. How this guide is prepared.