Knot school
Reef knot – step by step
Ties two ends together around a bundle or a furled sail.
Start tyingHow to tie a reef knot
The orange arrow shows the movement to the next step. The yellow and blue lines tell the two lines apart. The last image shows the finished knot.
Step 1 Lay the right end over the left and pass it under, like the first part of tying a shoelace.
Step 2 Now lay the left end over the right and tuck it under. In other words, tie the second half knot the opposite way.
Step 3 Pull both pairs of lines evenly. Check that the knot lies flat: each short end sits next to its own standing part.
Strengths and limitations
Not a secure bend for two loaded lines. Can capsize if the wrong parts are loaded.
Do not use for towing, mooring or life-safety purposes. The short ends should come out on the same side and lie along their own lines.
Practise with a loose line on land. Never use these practice knots for climbing or personal safety.
Frequently asked questions
Can I join mooring lines with a reef knot?
No. The reef knot is a binding knot, not a reliable bend for lines under load.
Sources
Practise more knots
Bowline
A fixed loop, for example around a bollard.
Figure-eight knot
A stopper knot that prevents the line from running through a fitting.
Two half hitches
Secures a line around a post or ring under steady load.
Sheet bend
Joins two lines, especially when they are of different thickness.
Bollard hitch
Mooring around a bollard with a round turn and two half hitches.
Slipped bowline
A temporary, quick-release hitch with a pull-out bight.
Cleating
Makes a line fast to a cleat.