How To Tie A Quick Release Knot (Highwayman's Hitch) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwayman's Hitch) PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Jordan Frazier

Last Updated: October 30, 2025 References

PDF download Download Article
  • Creating the Basic Knot
    • |
  • Anchoring the Rope Safely
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less X

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 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 371,079 times.

Quick-release knots are those that you can undo with a simple tug, and the highwayman’s hitch is perhaps the most popular one. It looks like a complicated, secure knot when it’s tied, but a quick tug and it comes completely undone. The name comes from its history as a favorite knot of highwaymen in the days of stagecoach and train robbers. However, you can use this knot for simple hitching purposes, or just for fun! Just be careful since this knot comes undone easily and don’t use it for climbing or other weight-bearing purposes.

Quick Release Knot (Highwayman's Hitch) Overview

Illustration of a step-by-step diagram depicting how to tie a quick release knot.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Creating the Basic Knot

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwayman's Hitch) 1 Fold the rope approximately 2 ft (0.61 m) from one end to form a loop. Loops are also known as bights. Once you make the bight, place it behind the pole, post, or other object that you’ll be securing the knot around. Wrap the topmost part of the loop over or around the side of the pole or post.[1]

    Tip: A bight is the word for a loop in knot-tying. Forming bights is an essential part of tying a quick-release knot.[2]

  2. Step 2 Form another bight out of the rope on the right side of the first loop. 2 Form another bight out of the rope on the right side of the first loop. This side is known as the standing end. Loop the rope just as you did before to make the first bight, but using the standing end just below the post or pole. The standing end is the side of the rope that will not release and that you’ll secure this end to whatever you’re tethering.[3]
    • If you are using this knot to secure a horse, the horse would be secured to the right side of the rope and the left side would be left hanging.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwayman's Hitch) 3 Insert the new bight through the first one you made. The 2 bights or loops need to connect to start the knot. Push the bight you just made into the first one you made by bringing them towards each other around the pole or post.[4]
  4. Step 4 Create a third bight with the quick-release end (working end). 4 Create a third bight with the quick-release end (working end). This is the left side of the rope. Form this bight about 6 to 12 in (15 to 30 cm) from the other 2 bights.[5]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwayman's Hitch) 5 Bring the new bight through the last bight you made. Just as you did the first time, tuck your new bight into the loop of the last bight you made. Pull it through so that the rope is taut at the base of the bight.[6]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwayman's Hitch) 6 Pull the standing end to tighten the hitch. This is the non-release part of the rope on the right that will be sturdy when you tug on it. Tug on this end to tighten the knot until it feels secure.[7]
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwayman's Hitch) 7 Untie the knot by tugging on the quick-release end. To untie or collapse the hitch, pull on the quick-release end and the knot will instantly come undone. Only do this when you are ready to untie the knot as it will undo it completely and you’ll need to retie it if you’re not through with it.[8]
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Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Anchoring the Rope Safely

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwayman's Hitch) 1 Make a safety ring from baling twine if you’ll be tying up a horse or boat. If you’re using a quick-release knot to tie up a horse or boat, create a safety string around the hitching ring or post you’ll be using. Tie a 1 ft (0.30 m) piece of baling twine loosely around the object. Double knot the ends together. Then, tie your knot through the twine instead of directly to the object. This will ensure that you can easily cut the rope free if the knot gets tangled and you can’t undo it.[9]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwayman's Hitch) 2 Tuck the end into a loop to prevent it from becoming undone. Some horses figure out that if they tug on the end of the rope with their teeth, they can undo the knot and free themselves. The knot may also come loose on its own if it’s not strong enough or if you accidentally tug on it. To prevent this, tuck the quick-release end of the rope into the loop at the top of the knot. This will help to secure the knot.[10]

    Tip: Keep in mind that if you tug enough on the end of the rope after you insert it into the loop, it will actually tighten the knot and you may not be able to undo it as a quick-release. This is why it’s important to create a safety ring and tie the rope through that instead of directly to a post.

  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwayman's Hitch) 3 Add an extra bight to strengthen the knot. If you want to make the highwayman's hitch more secure, add one more bight through the last loop that you made. Use the standing end (right side) of the rope to do this and then tug on the standing end of the rope to secure it.[11]
    • This is similar to the tumble hitch knot, which has 3 layered bights.
  4. Step 4 Avoid using the highwayman’s hitch knot for climbing purposes. 4 Avoid using the highwayman’s hitch knot for climbing purposes. If you accidentally grab the quick-release end, the knot will come completely undone and you will fall. Reserve this knot for when you only need to quickly secure something and having it come undone won’t be a hazard.[12]
    • For example, you might use this knot, if you need to secure your horse for a few minutes or tie up a kayak while you get into it.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question Should I use this knot when tying a horse to a fence or something similar, or should I use a different type of knot? Lord of the Sloths Lord of the Sloths Community Answer This knot could be used for this purpose, but consider using the more stable Tumble Hitch. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 17
  • Question How do you take the knot out? Equestriangoose Equestriangoose Top Answerer Pull the running end or tail. That is the end of the rope that isn't attached to what you are tying up. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2
Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Tips

  • Keep your eye on where the ends of the rope are. You should always know where one end is in comparison to the other.[13] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • If you are able to visualize how you want the knot to end up looking, it will be easier to tie it.[14] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Always ensure that your knot is secure before you use it. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Never leave a horse tied up unattended. Thanks Helpful 21 Not Helpful 10
  • Watch out for potential hazards, such as uneven ground or holes, when choosing a tethering place for a horse. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 3
  • Only tie up a horse at the level of their withers to sturdy posts and fences. Never tie a horse to something they could move, such as a gate, or to something that’s higher up than their withers.[15] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Things You'll Need

  • A rope
  • A pole, post, or other sturdy location to tie the knot onto
  • Baling twine (optional)
  • Knife (optional)

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.animatedknots.com/highwaymans-hitch-knot
  2. ↑ https://www.almanac.com/content/how-tie-knots
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz8fKzvN_UU&feature=youtu.be&t=30
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz8fKzvN_UU&feature=youtu.be&t=32
  5. ↑ https://www.animatedknots.com/highwaymans-hitch-knot
  6. ↑ https://www.animatedknots.com/highwaymans-hitch-knot
  7. ↑ https://www.animatedknots.com/highwaymans-hitch-knot
  8. ↑ https://www.animatedknots.com/highwaymans-hitch-knot
  9. ↑ https://www.horsejournals.com/horse-care/illness-injury/prevention/how-tie-quick-release-knot
More References (6)
  1. ↑ https://www.horsejournals.com/horse-care/illness-injury/prevention/how-tie-quick-release-knot
  2. ↑ https://www.animatedknots.com/tumble-hitch-knot
  3. ↑ https://www.animatedknots.com/highwaymans-hitch-knot
  4. ↑ Britt Edelen. Outdoor Educator. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ Britt Edelen. Outdoor Educator. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ https://www.horsejournals.com/horse-care/illness-injury/prevention/how-tie-quick-release-knot

About This Article

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 371,079 times. 11 votes - 91% Co-authors: 17 Updated: October 30, 2025 Views: 371,079 Categories: Climbing Knots In other languages Spanish Russian
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Reader Success Stories

  • Shannon Leg

    Shannon Leg

    Jul 30, 2016

    "All of this helped me because I had forgotten how to do that type of knot, and I had to know for my horse riding..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Jordan Frazier Co-authored by: Jordan Frazier Knot Tying Expert Co-authors: 17 Updated: October 30, 2025 Views: 371,079 91% of readers found this article helpful. 11 votes - 91% Click a star to add your vote Shannon Leg

Shannon Leg

Jul 30, 2016

"All of this helped me because I had forgotten how to do that type of knot, and I had to know for my horse riding..." more Share yours!

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