How do you tie a bowline?

Make a small loop (the hole) in the standing part, bring the end up through it from underneath, take it round behind the standing part, and back down through the hole. Knotlet shows it in four steps you can pause.

I can't see which rope goes over which in photos. Does this help?

Yes. Knotlet draws a gap on both sides of the rope on top at every crossing, and the standing part and working end are different colours, so over and under are always clear.

Does it work offline?

Yes. Every knot is built into the app, so it works on a boat, at camp or on a mountain with no signal.

Which knots are included?

Overhand, figure-eight, square (reef) knot, sheet bend, bowline, clove hitch, cleat hitch and timber hitch, with more added in updates. All of them are unlocked.

Is there a left-handed view?

Yes. Tap the mirror button on any knot to flip the whole diagram.

I keep forgetting knots I learned. Can it help?

Tap "I tied it" after practising and the practice tab brings back the knots you practised longest ago. A quick quiz and a knot of the day help too.

Can I rely on it for climbing or rescue?

Knotlet is a learning guide. When failure could hurt someone or damage property, learn and check the knot with a skilled instructor.

Why does my bowline keep slipping?

Usually the first loop is crossed the wrong way. Make the hole with the part going towards the end on top, then bring the end up from underneath.

Why is the bowline called the king of knots?

Its loop doesn't change size and it unties easily even after a heavy pull, so it became the go-to loop knot for sailors.

Can you tie a bowline with one hand?

Yes, with practice. Learn the four steps with two hands first until they're automatic.

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How to tie a bowline: 4 steps and common mistakes

The bowline makes a loop at the end of a rope that stays the same size. It holds well and is still fairly easy to untie after a heavy load, which is why sailors have used it for mooring, hanging lines and rescue loops for centuries. It's only four steps, but if the first small loop crosses the wrong way, the knot falls apart.

First, two words: standing part and working end

The standing part is the long side that takes the load. The working end is the short end in your hand that does the tying. A bowline is a small hole made in the standing part, with the working end going in and out of it.

The bowline in 4 steps

Many people remember it as "the rabbit comes out of the hole, round the tree, and back down the hole."

Make a small loop (the hole) in the standing part, with the part going towards the end lying on top.
Bring the working end up through the hole from underneath. (The rabbit comes out of the hole.)
Take the end round behind the standing part. (Round the tree.)
Send the end back down through the hole, then pull the standing part and the end in opposite directions to tighten. (Back down the hole.)

The most common mistakes

If the first loop crosses the other way (standing side on top), you get a knot that looks close but slips out under load. Going round the front of the standing part instead of behind makes a loop that tightens. When you finish, check that the working end sits inside the loop and that the tail is at least ten rope-widths long.

Check	Correct
First loop	The part going towards the end is on top
Round the tree	Behind the standing part
Tail position	Inside the loop
Tail length	At least 10× the rope's width

When not to trust a bowline

A bowline can loosen when the load keeps coming and going. Where a life depends on it, such as climbing, use a figure-eight based knot or have a skilled instructor check your work.

See it in Knotlet

Knotlet shows the bowline as a four-step animation. The standing part is navy and the working end is mustard, so you can always see which rope is on top at the hole. Pause on any step or mirror it for left hands.

FAQ

Why does my bowline keep slipping?: Usually the first loop is crossed the wrong way. Make the hole with the part going towards the end on top, then bring the end up from underneath.
Why is the bowline called the king of knots?: Its loop doesn't change size and it unties easily even after a heavy pull, so it became the go-to loop knot for sailors.
Can you tie a bowline with one hand?: Yes, with practice. Learn the four steps with two hands first until they're automatic.

Follow the bowline step by step in Knotlet

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