Figure 8 on a Bight

The Figure 8 on a Bight is a climber’s best friend—reliable, easy to tie, and almost impossible to mess up.

It’s most often used for anchor building to attach rope to a carabiner, climbing harness or belay devices.

And the best part?

You don’t need the rope’s end to tie this knot, so it’s perfect for mid rope connections.

How to Tie Figure 8 on a Bight Knot

1. Make a loop with the bight of the rope.
2. Pass the working end under the standing part.
3. Tuck the bight through the loop.
4. Pull both ends to tighten the knot.

Related: How to Tie the Perfect Figure 8 Knot

If your knot looks like a number 8, you’ve done it right. Just make sure the loops are parallel and not crossing over each other.

Don’t forget to dress the knot as shown in the animation slides above and leave at least a 6 inch of tail excess.

As a backup knot, you can tie a simple Overhand knot or a Double Fisherman’s knot.

Applications and Uses

The Figure 8 on a Bight is used in climbing, mostly for anchor setups. 

It’s also used for securing something mid-rope—like when you’re setting up a temporary anchor or tying in for a multi-pitch climb.

Warning

Remember that this knot can jam up pretty badly after being under a heavy load and be tough to untie afterwards.

If you’re dealing with a high load situation, consider using other knots like a Butterfly Knot.

Also, a quick TIP: always load the Figure 8 on a Bight along its axis. It’s not meant to bear loads in two opposing directions. It can cause the knot to roll under heavy loads.

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