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Hitch. Difficulty 2 of 5.

Round Turn and Two Half Hitches

Often shortened to RTTHH.

A heavy duty version of two half hitches. The round turn takes the load before the knot does, which makes this the right choice for a tied off boat, a heavy ridge line, or a bear bag in the woods.

  • CategoryHitch
  • StrengthExcellent under sustained load
  • Time to learn10 minutes
  • Best forMooring, heavy ridge lines, bear bags
Round turn and two half hitches around a post.
Round turn and two half hitches. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
When to use it

When the load is real, take the turn first.

A plain two half hitches can chafe and slip when a load swings or pulses. The round turn wraps the rope twice around the object so friction takes most of the strain. The two half hitches are just there to lock the round turn in place.

Step by step

One round turn, then two half hitches.

The genius of this knot is the way the round turn shoulders the load before the hitches even begin to grip. You can hold a heavy line one handed while you tie the rest. That is why dock workers and arborists rely on it every day.

  1. Pass the rope behind the post or through the ring

    Bring the working end fully around the object once. Pull through enough working end that you have a forearm's length to play with.

    Mind which direction you wrap. Both turns must spiral the same way.

  2. Take a second wrap. This is the round turn

    Wrap the rope around the object a second time, lying neatly against the first wrap. Two complete wraps make the round turn.

    The two wraps must lie shoulder to shoulder, not crossed. Friction is what carries the load.

  3. Hold the working end across the standing line

    With the wraps held tight against the object, lay the working end across the top of the standing line. You are ready to start the first half hitch.

    If the round turn slips while you are tying, add a third turn. Better to be safe.

  4. Tie the first half hitch

    Pass the working end around the standing line and tuck it back through the loop you just made. Tighten lightly so the hitch sits snug against the round turn.

    A half hitch is identical to an overhand knot. The only difference is what you tie it around.

  5. Tie the second half hitch in the same direction

    Below the first hitch, tie a second half hitch around the standing line, spiralling the same way as the first. Slide it up to nest against the first.

    Reversing the spiral here is the most common error. Both hitches must wind the same way for the knot to lock.

  6. Dress and set under load

    Pull the working end firmly. Then take a strong pull on the standing line so the round turn locks and the hitches bite. Leave at least eight rope diameters of tail.

    A correctly tied knot can be tied and untied with one hand. If you need two hands to break it free, the load was clearly serious.

Field check. The round turn should look like two clean parallel wraps. The two half hitches should sit together like a small spring on the standing line. If anything is loose or messy, retie it. Good rope work shows in the dressing.

Watch for these

Common mistakes

  • Only one wrap on the round turn. The hitches then carry all the load and chafe quickly.
  • Hitches in opposite directions, giving a cow hitch.
  • Loading the rope before the hitches are dressed. The wraps creep loose.
When you are done

How to untie

Take the load off and free the half hitches. Then unwind the round turn. Even after a long pull on a swinging load, this knot releases cleanly.

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