A bowline (pronounced “BOH-lin”) is a type of knot that creates a fixed loop at the end of a rope. Sailors, climbers, and rescue workers prize this knot because it holds firmly under tension but can still be untied easily afterward, even after supporting tremendous weight.

The bowline has been called the “king of knots” because it's so useful and reliable. If you're rock climbing and need to tie yourself safely to a rope, a bowline won't slip or tighten dangerously around your waist. If you're sailing and need to attach a rope to a post on the dock, a bowline will hold your boat secure but still come apart when you're ready to leave.

The knot forms a loop that won't shrink or expand, which makes it perfect when you need consistency. Sailors have used the bowline for centuries.

Learning to tie a bowline takes practice, and people often teach it using a story about a rabbit coming up through a hole, running around a tree, and going back down the hole. Once you master it, you'll have learned one of the most practical knots ever invented.