Hunt & Live

Q&A · Survival

Best Practices For Tying A Figure Eight Follow-Through Knot?

April 5, 2026

Quick Answer

To tie a figure eight follow-through knot, start with a secure figure eight loop, then pass the working end of the rope through the loop, followed by the standing end, and finally pass it through the loop again. This creates a secure and reliable knot for climbing, rescue, or other applications. Make sure to tighten each pass evenly to prevent the knot from coming undone.

Creating a Secure Figure Eight Loop

To begin, create a figure eight loop with a minimum diameter of 6-8 inches. Hold the working end of the rope in your non-dominant hand, with the standing end in your dominant hand. Pass the working end over the standing end, then through the loop from the bottom, and finally back up through the loop from the top. Pull the working end gently to secure the loop.

Passing Through the Loop

Pass the working end of the rope through the figure eight loop, keeping a firm grip on the standing end. This creates the first pass. Next, pass the standing end through the loop, which creates the second pass. Be sure to keep the working end on the same side of the loop as the standing end to maintain the correct orientation.

Tightening the Knot

To secure the figure eight follow-through knot, pass the working end through the loop again, making sure to keep it on the same side as the standing end. Gently pull the working end to tighten each pass evenly. Check the knot by tugging on both the working end and the standing end to ensure it is secure and won’t come undone under load.

knot-figure-eight-follow practices tying figure eight followthrough
Share

Find more answers

Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.