What is the best knot for tying a rope to a ring?

Buntline Hitch ranks first (good field fit, 77%). Level with Round Turn & Two Half Hitches on weighted field fit (Good). It is printed first on alphabetical order, which is the last thing left when nothing separates them — not because it fits better

And with cold, wet hands?

Buntline Hitch still ranks first.

And with must come undone after load?

Buntline Hitch still ranks first.

And with first time tying it?

Buntline Hitch still ranks first.

Best knot for tying a rope to a ring

Anchor rodes, mooring rings and shackles. The knot takes a steady pull and repeated jerks, and it is often left for a long time.

Diagram in reviewA drawing of the Buntline Hitch itself is being made. Until then, follow the written steps.

Ranks first

Buntline Hitch

Good field fit · 77% · 26 ruled out first

Why it wins

·Level with Round Turn & Two Half Hitches on weighted field fit (Good). It is printed first on alphabetical order, which is the last thing left when nothing separates them — not because it fits better
·Will not walk on a ring or shackle
·The jam after load is the job
·Strong connection-job fit (92)

Watch for

!The half hitch sits on the far side of the first turn, so the end points away from the ring and it is only two half hitches.
!It has taken a heavy load or shock and now has to come undone; it can jam too tight to untie without a marlinspike.
!It was loaded with a gap to the ring or crossed turns, and shock loads jam it in that shape, which is harder to check and to free.

How to tie it Run it with your conditions

Also in the running

02Round Turn & Two Half HitchesCan be tied while the line is already loaded77%
03Halyard HitchCompact standing attachment on a shackle75%
04Anchor BendBuilt for a connection that lives wet75%

Pick Round Turn & Two Half Hitches instead Nothing separates Buntline Hitch and Round Turn & Two Half Hitches here — same weighted fit, no dimension apart by enough to matter.

What changes the answer

The same question with one condition added. Each row is its own engine run.

Cold, wet handsHolds
Low lightHolds
Must come undone after loadHolds
First time tying itHolds

How sure this is

Low confidence: this question states only a few conditions, or the top knot's strength figure isn't traceable to a published test. Add your own conditions in Decide to sharpen it.

26 of 30 modelled connections were ruled out by hard constraints before anything was ranked. A knot that fails a constraint is never scored, however strong it is elsewhere.

More guides