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Hobbies and Crafts
Knot Tying
How to Untie Tight Knots Download Article Co-authored by Jordan Frazier
Last Updated: November 10, 2025 Fact Checked
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Pushing and Pulling
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Using Tools
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Trying Other Tricks to Untie Tight Knots
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Video
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Expert Interview
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Tips
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This article was co-authored by Jordan Frazier. Jordan Frazier is a Knot Tying Expert based in Middleburg, Florida. He has over 8 years of experience with knot tying–he started out with the craft as a hobby, and has expanded over time into knot tying as a vocation. He is the owner and operator of Paracord and What Knot, an online small business that is a “one stop knot shop”. He sells custom wrapped steering wheels, lanyards, keychains and a variety of other related products. He is skilled in the art of nautical fancywork and accepts custom commissions through his business. He has curated an online community of over 13K followers on Instagram with his knot tying content and how-to’s. In addition to his knot tying work, Jordan has a career as a Machinery Technician with the U.S. Coast Guard, which he has been doing for over 10 years. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 187,446 times.
Untying a tight knot can be tricky. In most cases, the trick is to simply push part of the knot through to the other side. You might also be able to push a skewer or a similar instrument through the center of the knot to loosen it. The most important thing to remember when untying tight knots is to be persistent. With enough time and patience, you’re sure to succeed in untying tight knots.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Pushing and Pulling
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1 Twist one end of the knot. Extending from any knot are two “arms.” Grab one of these arms and start turning it. You can turn it clockwise or counterclockwise. The number of times you’ll need to turn it depends on the tightness of the knot. The arms of very tight knots will need to be turned more than knots that are merely tight.[1]XResearch source
2 Push the turned end through the knot. Once you’ve turned one arm of the knot several times, push it through the heart of the knot using your hands. Start as close as you can to the knot itself, since the further from the knot you begin, the less leverage you will have.[2]XResearch source
If you find that you cannot push the turned end through, twist it in the same direction several more times, then try to push it through.
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3 Pull the knot apart. Once you’ve pushed a bit of the knotted material through the tight loop, pull it apart from the other side. If the knot is still tight, wiggle the bit you pushed through from side to side. This should enable you to bring it through the rest of the way. As you pull, the whole knot should loosen up even more.[3]XResearch source
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Using Tools
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1 Take the knot apart with gripping instruments. Use a pair of needle-nosed pliers, forceps, marlinspike, knotter’s tool, or even a wrench to grip one side of the knot itself (as opposed to its “arms”).[4]X Expert Source Jordan FrazierKnot Tying ExpertExpert Interview Hold onto the knot with your other hand or with a second pair of pliers. Tug gently at the knot.[5]XResearch source
This is done to loosen up the knot. Once it loosens, pull the knot apart with your hands.
Do not pull as hard as possible or you might break the knotted material.
2 Work something into the heart of the knot. Creating space within the knot will help loosen it. Depending on the nature of the knot, you could use a variety of tools for this. For small, tight knots, try using the fine teeth of a plastic comb or one tong of a fork. On larger knots, you might be able to use a bamboo skewer. Anything pointed and not too sharp will do.[6]XResearch source
Slip the implement of your choice into the knot. Wiggle it back and forth a bit.
Without removing the implement you worked into the knot, pull at one portion of the knot to see it if it comes apart.
If the knot is still too tight to untie, wiggle the implement you placed in it a bit more, or take it out and try to push something with a slightly wider girth into the space you opened up. Afterwards, try to untie it again.
3 Tap on the knot. If you can place your knot on a hard, flat surface, you could attempt to untie it using a hard fist-sized rock or a hammer.[7]XResearch source Start with a gentle but firm tap using moderate force. After a few taps, test the knot to see if it can be untied. If not, continue, adding force gradually each time you check the knot.
Be sure that whatever is beneath the knot will not be damaged by the impact.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Trying Other Tricks to Untie Tight Knots
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1 Soak the knot. If you’re working on untying a tight knot in a rope, cord, or other fiber-based material, soaking it in water can help the process along. Just fill your sink or a small pot with water and let the knot sit in it for 10 minutes or so. After the time has elapsed, try to untie it. If it remains tight, place it back in the water for another 10 minutes, then check again.
2 Bite the knot. For knots in a medium-gauge cord or rope, bite the knot between your teeth. Work your jaw from side to side a bit. The pressure from your clenched teeth should loosen the knot enough that you can untie it with ease. You might even be able to feel it expanding between your teeth.
3 Walk around a bit. If the tight knot you’re interested in untying is in your shoelaces, go for a walk or run. The combination of forward motion and stomping on the ground will naturally loosen the shoelace knot over time.[8]XResearch source
The amount of time you will need to spend walking or running before your tight knot is loosened sufficiently varies depending on the severity of the knot. Very tight knots will take longer to loosen than knots that are merely tight.
Start by walking about for 10 minutes or so, then testing the knot in your shoelace. If it is still tight, walk a bit more.
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Tips
If the knot is too tight, consider slicing through it with scissors or a blade.[9]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
Instead of trying to untie the knot in just one way, try to combine them in different ways. Each knot is a bit different, and since it is impossible to quantify the tightness of a knot, your best bet is to try a variety of approaches to untie your tight knot. Thanks Helpful 11 Not Helpful 0
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about knot tying, check out our in-depth interview with Jordan Frazier.
Co-authored by: Jordan Frazier Knot Tying Expert This article was co-authored by Jordan Frazier. Jordan Frazier is a Knot Tying Expert based in Middleburg, Florida. He has over 8 years of experience with knot tying–he started out with the craft as a hobby, and has expanded over time into knot tying as a vocation. He is the owner and operator of Paracord and What Knot, an online small business that is a “one stop knot shop”. He sells custom wrapped steering wheels, lanyards, keychains and a variety of other related products. He is skilled in the art of nautical fancywork and accepts custom commissions through his business. He has curated an online community of over 13K followers on Instagram with his knot tying content and how-to’s. In addition to his knot tying work, Jordan has a career as a Machinery Technician with the U.S. Coast Guard, which he has been doing for over 10 years. This article has been viewed 187,446 times. 3 votes - 100% Co-authors: 7Updated: November 10, 2025 Views: 187,446 Categories: Knot Tying In other languages Spanish Japanese
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Reader Success Stories
Giovanna S.
Aug 20, 2023
"Thank you so much! I had a bracelet with a tight knot that a slipped off my wrist, but then couldn't untie the knot. I read this and then poked in a needle, wiggled it around, pulled it out, then untied the knot. Helped a lot."..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Jordan Frazier Knot Tying Expert Co-authors: 7Updated: November 10, 2025 Views: 187,446100% of readers found this article helpful. 3 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote
Giovanna S.
Aug 20, 2023
"Thank you so much! I had a bracelet with a tight knot that a slipped off my wrist, but then couldn't untie the knot. I read this and then poked in a needle, wiggled it around, pulled it out, then untied the knot. Helped a lot."..." more
Ben
Oct 20, 2021
"Method number 2 helped me so much, I had accidently made a tie on my shoe laces that were very hard to untie, so the water trick worked, thank you so much."..." more
Shawn Is Free
Jun 10, 2022
"Success! The first one is genius: twist the arm over and over and push it through. I'm finally free!" Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Co-authored by Jordan Frazier 
How toTie Laces in a Double Knot 
How to Tie a Runner's Knot in 4 Easy Steps (Plus What the Benefits Are) 
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Co-authored by: Jordan Frazier Knot Tying Expert This article was co-authored by Jordan Frazier. Jordan Frazier is a Knot Tying Expert based in Middleburg, Florida. He has over 8 years of experience with knot tying–he started out with the craft as a hobby, and has expanded over time into knot tying as a vocation. He is the owner and operator of Paracord and What Knot, an online small business that is a “one stop knot shop”. He sells custom wrapped steering wheels, lanyards, keychains and a variety of other related products. He is skilled in the art of nautical fancywork and accepts custom commissions through his business. He has curated an online community of over 13K followers on Instagram with his knot tying content and how-to’s. In addition to his knot tying work, Jordan has a career as a Machinery Technician with the U.S. Coast Guard, which he has been doing for over 10 years. This article has been viewed 187,446 times. 3 votes - 100% Co-authors: 7 Updated: November 10, 2025 Views: 187,446 Categories: Knot Tying In other languages Spanish Japanese 
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1 Twist one end of the knot. Extending from any knot are two “arms.” Grab one of these arms and start turning it. You can turn it clockwise or counterclockwise. The number of times you’ll need to turn it depends on the tightness of the knot. The arms of very tight knots will need to be turned more than knots that are merely tight.[1] 
2 Work something into the heart of the knot. Creating space within the knot will help loosen it. Depending on the nature of the knot, you could use a variety of tools for this. For small, tight knots, try using the fine teeth of a plastic comb or one tong of a fork. On larger knots, you might be able to use a bamboo skewer. Anything pointed and not too sharp will do.[6] 
3 Tap on the knot. If you can place your knot on a hard, flat surface, you could attempt to untie it using a hard fist-sized rock or a hammer.[7] Start with a gentle but firm tap using moderate force. After a few taps, test the knot to see if it can be untied. If not, continue, adding force gradually each time you check the knot. 
2 Bite the knot. For knots in a medium-gauge cord or rope, bite the knot between your teeth. Work your jaw from side to side a bit. The pressure from your clenched teeth should loosen the knot enough that you can untie it with ease. You might even be able to feel it expanding between your teeth. 
3 Walk around a bit. If the tight knot you’re interested in untying is in your shoelaces, go for a walk or run. The combination of forward motion and stomping on the ground will naturally loosen the shoelace knot over time.[8]