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Home How to Tie a Clove Hitch

Hitch · 5 steps

How to tie aClove Hitch

A quick, adjustable hitch for tying a rope to a post, rail or pole, and the classic start for a lashing.

  • For posts & rails
  • Two turns
  • Adjusts easily
Start step 1Watch it whole Pin it
A finished clove hitch on a wooden post: two turns with a crossing on the front, the green standing part and the yellow end leaving in opposite directions Standing part End The X Post
10 seconds

The whole hitch

Round the post, cross over, round again, tuck under the X, pull tight.

Both ends leave under the X, going opposite ways.

3D trail

Walk round the post

Drag to circle the post, pinch in close to the X, scrub back to any turn.

Interactive 3D model of the clove hitch, tied step by step

· Drag to turn · pinch to zoom

0:00
A rope coming in from the left with its working end at a wooden post, before tying Working end Post
Before you start

Know the parts

Standing part
The long part of the rope that takes the load.
Working end
The end you wrap round the post.
Turn
One full wrap round the post. A clove hitch has two.

You need: rope or cord, and a post, rail or pole.

Step by step · each clip loops

Five wraps up the post

  1. Round the post

    Pass the working end round the post once.

    TipLeave a long working end: it goes round twice.

  2. Cross over

    Bring the end round and across the front, over the standing part, making an X.

    Watch forThe crossing goes over the standing part, not under it.

  3. Round again

    Take the end round the post again, right beside the first turn.

    TipKeep the two turns neatly side by side.

  4. Tuck under the X

    Bring the end up and tuck it under the X so it comes out the other side.

    Watch forThe end leaves in the opposite direction to the standing part.

  5. Pull tight

    Pull the end and the standing part to snug both turns onto the post.

    TipFor a load that moves about, add a half hitch round the standing part.

Before you trust it

Trail check

Why learn it

Where you’ll use it

Use it when you need to tie on to a post or pole quickly and adjust the rope afterwards.

Mooring

A quick, temporary tie to a post or bollard.

Camping

Guy lines, tarps and ridge lines on poles and trees.

Lashings

The usual start and finish for square and tripod lashings.

Fences & gardens

A line run along a row of posts or stakes.

Safety: a clove hitch can work loose when the load keeps changing. Add a half hitch or two round the standing part if it matters.

How to tie a clove hitch in 5 steps: round the post, cross over, round again, tuck under the X, pull tight
Take it with you

Save the trail card

All five steps on one card. Pin it or keep it with your gear for the next time you tie on.

Pin it