How to Tie a Uni Knot

Co-authored by Sophia Latorre

Last Updated: September 16, 2021 Approved

The uni knot, sometimes called the Grinner knot, is an essential and dependable fishing knot. It’s pretty simple to tie and only requires fishing line and a hook or swivel with an eye. If you need to tie 2 fishing lines together, you can use a double uni knot to secure them. Don’t worry, a double uni knot is not very difficult; you simply tie it twice!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making a Uni Knot

1
Run 6 inches (15 cm) of line through the eye of the hook or swivel. Thread fishing line through the eye of the hook or swivel then fold it over the eye so the tag (short) end runs parallel with the main (long) line for at least 6 inches (15 cm).^{[1]
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2
Loop the tag end over the lines. Keeping the lines doubled, wrap the tag end back up and over the 2 lines to create a small loop on 1 side.^{[2]
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3
Wrap the tag end through the loop and around the lines 5-6 times. Make sure you are wrapping the tag end around both the lines but not the loop.^{[3]
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4
Pull the tag end to tighten the coils. Put 1 hand near the eye of the hook and the other on the tag end. It can be helpful to moisten the end of the line to improve your grip when tightening the coils.^{[4]
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- Apply a little lip balm to the lines to keep them moist.
5
Slide the coils toward the eye. Hold the main line in 1 hand and pull down as you use the other hand to slide the coils toward the eye to snug up the knot to hook or swivel.^{[5]
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6
Trim the excess line. Use a knife or scissors to carefully trim any excess off the tag end.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using a Double Uni Knot

1
Overlap the ends of 2 lines for 6 inches (15 cm). Choose 2 lines that have the same diameter. Position them so the lines are parallel, but the tag (short) ends are facing opposite directions.
2
Make a loop with each tag end over the lines. Wrap 1 tag end back against itself and over the 2 lines to create a loop. Repeat with the other tag end.
- Moisten the lines with lip balm to make them easier to grip.
3
Wrap 1 tag end around the 2 lines 6 times. Take 1 tag end (you can do either side first) and wrap it through the loop and around the 2 lines 6 times. Leave the loop open.
4
Push the same tag end through the loop then pull it. Feed the tag end of the same line you used to wrap the lines through the loop. Pull the tag end tightly to snug up the coils.
5
Repeat the process with the other tag end. Wrap the other tag end around the 2 lines 6 times. Push the tag end through the loop and pull it tight.
6
Pull each main line in opposite directions and trim the excess line. To snug the 2 knots against each other, hold 1 main line in each hand and pull gently in opposite directions. Then, use scissors or a knife to trim the excess line from the tag ends.

Community Q&A

Question

What is the best knot to join 2 lines?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Some good options include the blood knot (one of the strongest knots), the uni to uni (or double uni), and the surgeon’s knot.
Question

How strong is the uni to uni knot?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

The uni to uni knot is very strong—if done properly, it preserves up to 90% of the strength of the original line.
Question

What kind of knot tightens as you pull?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

The arbor knot is one type of knot that tightens when you pull it, similar to a noose. Constrictor knots also tighten when pulled, and can be very difficult to untie.