Preparedness blog

Make Your Own Paracord Bracelet

By Ready Expert
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Paracord can be an awesome tool in your preparedness arsenal. This durable nylon rope can be tied into tons of different designs including bracelets, strengthened cords, pouches and more. If you’re in an emergency, you simply unwind the strong cord and use it to bind, haul or anything else that you might need.

So, whether you’re a beginner or an expert paracord lover, we have a design for you. Check out these paracord designs below. If you don’t want to spend time weaving your own bracelet, you can always let us do it for you.

paracord braceletWhat is Paracord?
Paracord, also known as parachute cord, is a soft, lightweight nylon rope that was originally used for parachuting. Typically, 550 paracord (which is the paracord used for our bracelets) is made of 32 strands of nylon sheath on the outside and seven strands of 2-ply nylon yarns on the inside (the “guts”). The 550 paracord is the same made for the government and has a minimum breaking strength of 550 lbs.

While paracord started out as a parachuters tool, people quickly recognized its usefulness in other areas. Since the cord is quick-drying, rot- and mildew-resistant, it’s great for many purposes. Military units use it for securing packs, hanging covers and tents. Many military personnel even use the guts as fishing line.

Check Out These Other Paracord Designs:

Paracord Snake Design
Paracord Woven Watchband
Paracord Keychain
Paracord Belt Design

Paracord Bracelet Design
• About 10 feet of Paracord
• Lighter
• Tape Measure
• Side release buckle
• Scissors

1. Measure the diameter of your wrist by wrapping a single line of paracord around your wrist. Make sure it’s nice and snug and with a marker, make a line across the paracord while it is wrapped around your wrist. Straighten out the paracord and measure the line.  This will be used for reference later.

2. Take the 10 foot line of paracord and fold it in half.

3. String the two loose ends through the male end of the buckle and pull them through the loop that the 10-foot line makes at the other end. Pull it tight and it should look like this:

4. Measure the line to the diameter of your wrist and place the female end of the buckle.

5. Position the bracelet with the female buckle at the top. The two loose ends of paracord should be coming up through the buckle.

6. Take the left paracord line and pull it under the two lines of the paracord bracelet. Then place it over the top of the right loose end.

7. Then take the loose end on the right and place it over the top of the two bracelet strands. Then pull it through the loop that you made on the left side with the left loose end.

8. Pull the two loose ends tight so they tighten against the buckle.

For the next section, you’re going to basically repeat steps 6-8 but start with the opposite end.

9. Take the loose end on the right side and pull it underneath the two strands of bracelet. Make sure it’s on on top of the loose left end.

10. Then take the loose end on the left and place it over the top of the two bracelet strands. Then pull it through the loop that you made on the right side with the right loose end.

11. Pull the two loose ends tight so they tighten against the previous knot.

Repeat

12. Repeat steps 6-11 until the paracord reaches the end of the bracelet.

13. If you need more room to braid, simply hold the male buckle firmly and pull the knots down the line.

Finishing the bracelet

14. Take your loose cords and thread them through the remaining slit of the male buckle.

15. Slightly lift the last knot that you made and pull the two loose ends through the loop.

16. Cut the loose ends close (about ¼ inches) to the end of the loop and seal them off by using a lighter.

Thanks to paravival.com for many of these ideas. Don't stop at paracord, build a complete survival kit and know that everything you need is in one accessible place.

12 years ago
Comments
Kim
12 years ago at 9:00 AM
What is the size of the side release buckle for an average project like this? Thanks
warren
12 years ago at 3:11 PM
this cord wrapping seems like a very time consuming project to me. Why not just coil the cord and put it in a plastic bag, then in your pocket. And I find 10 ft of cord to be mostly useless. I put 50 ft in my plastic bag, a few water proof matches, and a couple of heat tabs, and I feel I am better prepared than just 10 ft wrapped around mt wrist.
Bren
12 years ago at 7:42 PM
How can you make a belt?
Bill
12 years ago at 5:57 AM
I think it would be easier to see if you used a color than black paracord.
Brenda
12 years ago at 5:04 PM
where do you buy paracord
Helen
8 years ago at 6:20 PM
Most craft stores, Army Surplus stores, Amazon, even Walmart has it.
mason
12 years ago at 7:11 PM
Just made a dog collar using this method... Now my dog carries 35ft of cord as well!
scott
12 years ago at 10:49 PM
what if i want to use 2 different colors?
Ruth
12 years ago at 4:30 PM
The hooks are available at most fabric stores military surplus stores and even a the dollar store sometimes.
Jessica
12 years ago at 11:12 AM
I just made a dog collar out of 550 cord for an English mastif and now starting on a halter for my horse. it s not as time consuming as most people think.
Markwell
12 years ago at 9:06 AM
I like the way you present this! Simple and effective!
NaStephenme
12 years ago at 5:34 PM
Not sure what people are talking about it taking long time, takes 10 min to make one.
STEVEN H.
12 years ago at 1:19 PM
i'M WITH BREN HOW WOULD YOU GO ABOUT MAKING A BELT? DO A DOUBLE AND WEAVE THE TWO CONECTING SIDES TOGETHER?
jeff
11 years ago at 12:53 PM
I don't see where you attached it to the watch.
Jacquie
11 years ago at 10:24 PM
Just finished my first paracord bracelet. I used an old hemostat to tuck in the loose ends back through the finished bracelet. I found a good supply of paracord at "D & B Supply" and "The Outdoorsman" in Ontario, OR. Kinda fun!
Northwoods Cheryl
11 years ago at 7:59 AM
ALWAYS buy American made paracord. It has 7 strands of fiber inside. The cheap knock-offs have 5. HUGE difference is strength and quality. I have made all kinds of things.. reins for horse bridles and the bridles themselves, dog collars, gun slings, belts, etc. Very useful.
Castiron
11 years ago at 9:20 AM
If it has 7 strands inside it is 550cord used in emergency parachutes. The OD with a black stripe is 375 cord used in the Military Troop Parachute. Both are made in the US. The numbers stand for pounds of strength.
John
11 years ago at 2:06 PM
I find Paracord at the flea market or a hobby shop. You can also find it at gun or knife shows. I use this design on key rings, some of my hand tools and once you master it you can tie and untie for other things. A pocket can only carry so much, So having a wrist band of 10f of paracord is as handy as a pocket on a shirt. ;)
RetiredTeacher
11 years ago at 8:31 AM
You can buy all needed supplied at Wal-mart. They also often have kits--look in the craft aisle. For military strength paracord, look in the hardware section--maybe with the marine supplies or automotive. I teach a outdoor survival class in our middle school summer school and teach how to make these bracelets there. We also make keychains and lanyards, if time.
Lisa
10 years ago at 12:59 PM
Thanks for the clear instructions....we actually made these with a 5, 9 and 10 year old. Such a fun activity for them to do.
Paularae
10 years ago at 8:11 AM
You mentioned you use 50 ft in your bracelets. How do you add another 40 ft if you want it in a braclet form?