Introduction

A Turk’s Head knot is one of the most popular decorative knots used in ropework, leatherwork, scouting and nautical crafts.

This Turk’s Head knot calculator helps you understand leads and bights, check whether a combination works, and generate a practical over-under pattern before you start tying.

If you want to go straight to designing a knot, use the interactive cylindrical Turk’s Head knot designer.

Leads and Bights

A Turk’s Head knot is a woven decorative knot made from a continuous strand that wraps around a cylinder, tube, stick, bottle, jig or core. The finished knot forms a repeating pattern of crossings.

Simple Turk’s Head knots are often described by two numbers:

• Leads — the number of times the strand travels around the object before the knot closes.
• Bights — the number of visible lobes around the edge of the knot.

What Works?

The GCD Rule

Not every pair of numbers produces a single continuous Turk’s Head knot. A single-strand Turk’s Head knot works cleanly when the number of leads and bights are coprime. This means they share no common factor greater than 1.

Turk’s Head Knot Leads and Bights Chart

This chart shows which leads and bights combinations form a single continuous Turk’s Head knot. A combination works when the greatest common divisor (GCD) equals 1.

Example: 3 lead 4 bight works because GCD(3,4)=1. 6 lead 8 bight does not form a single-strand knot because GCD(6,8)=2. This makes it easier to rule out unsuitable combinations before setting up a jig or starting a knot.

Online Tools

Over-Under Pattern Generator

One of the harder parts is understanding the over-under sequence in a Turk’s Head knot. A good over-under pattern generator helps by showing the route of the strand, where it passes over, where it passes under, and how the weave repeats around the knot.

This is especially useful when planning a knot before tying, building a custom jig, checking whether a design will dress neatly, or scaling a knot for paracord, cordage or leather lace.

Turk’s Head Over-Under Pattern Calculator

Use the Turk’s Head calculator below to generate over-under instructions from your chosen leads and bights.

Tip: Turk’s Head knots require the leads and bights to be coprime for a single continuous strand.

Generate a Turk’s Head Knot Pattern

If you want to work out a pattern visually, use the interactive cylindrical Turk’s Head knot designer.

• Experiment with different leads and bights.
• See which combinations work.
• Explore the resulting structure before tying.
• Choose the right knot jig.

How to Choose Leads and Bights

Choosing the right leads and bights combination determines the shape and complexity of the knot. Lower lead counts produce simple decorative bands, while higher lead counts produce denser, more intricate knots.

Common starting examples include:

• 3 lead 4 bight — common beginner knot.
• 5 lead 4 bight — classic bracelet pattern.
• 7 lead 6 bight — more decorative band.
• 9 lead 8 bight — complex decorative knot.

Turk’s Head Knot Jigs

We manufacture a number of jigs designed to help with tying Turk’s Head knots.

Scout Woggle Jig

Ideal for learning a basic Turk’s Head knot, especially for scouts and beginners.

View Woggle Jig →

Stacking Jig Set

A comprehensive set of stacking jigs with pins and rubber bands for multiple knot sizes.

View Jig Set →

Individual Jigs

Separate jigs and parts are available if you only need a specific size or pattern.

View Collection →

Need a Custom Jig?

If you need a custom jig for a particular project, use the cylindrical designer to create your pattern and order a made-to-design jig where supported.

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