Poacher's knot

What it’s for

• Cinch a bundle or a load down tight.
• Fasten a rope around a post with a loop that tightens.
• Lash things together.

Good to know

A noose tightens as you pull. Use it on objects, never on a person.

How to tie it

1. 1Make a bight and lay the end over the standing part
2. 2Bring the end under both strands and pull it snug
3. 3Wrap again beside it: over both strands, then under both
4. 4Push the wraps together, then tuck the end back through both to the left
5. 5Pull the bight one way and both ends the other to tighten
6. 6Done: a poacher's knot

Related knots

Before you rely on it

The rope here is simulated. Real rope differs in stiffness, friction and size, so practise with real rope and check the result by hand. Do not rely on a knot learned here where a failure could hurt someone.

Written for this site and not yet checked against a published knot reference. Spot a mistake? Improve this knot on GitHub.