Hi everyone! Have you ever crafted your own paracord item before? If you are new to this, I can assure you that these paracord projects are a great way to spend your free time to build amazing stuff with just nylon strings. In this article, I would be sharing with you my personal collection of paracord projects that can be useful for outdoor survival or for your survival equipment when bugging out.
What is a paracord?
There are six types of paracord depending on its core yarns and strength. The commonly used 550 cord is a type III paracord. It is nominally rated with a minimum strength of 550 lbs hence the name “550 cord”. Made of 7 to 9 core yarns, the 550 cord is usually 5/32 inch (4 mm) in diameter and has a minimum elongation of 30%.
If you are looking to get some paracord for these projects, check out OUTDOOR Paracord Planet Mil-Spec Commercial Grade 550lb Type III Nylon Paracord which is made in the US with more than 20 types of paracord
In terms of survival, here are a few neat paracord projects that I think every prepper should know. Let me know in the comments if you love any of this!
Best Paracords Comparison Table
| Image | Product | Price | Tensile strength | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | 620 LB SurvivorCord | Check Price on Amazon | 620 lb | Exclusive patented paracord that is made for the special forces - a strong, conductive and non-magnetic metallic alloy |
  | TOUGH-GRID 750lb Paracor | Check Price on Amazon | 750 lb | You are pretty much getting a premium cord at a bargain - you can bet that this paracord can secure your tent well or hold up your hammock well |
  | Outdoor Paracord Planet | Check Price on Amazon | 550 lb | The Cheapest paracord which you'll be able to find but it may not be as strong as most paracords |
  | PARACORD PLANET Paracord | Check Price on Amazon | 550 lb | This paracord is certified by the US government contractors for strength and durability - although it's relatively cheap it's not something to be reckoned with |
  | SpeedyJig PRO - Paracord Bracelet Kit | Check Price on Amazon | NA | You to customize your paracord into the design and thickness which you want it to be - this is one of the highest quality paracord weaving tool in the market |
Top 8 Paracord Projects
1. Paracord Multi-Tool Pouch
Estimated length of paracord required: 30 feet
Items required:
- OUTDOOR Paracord Planet Mil-Spec Commercial Grade 550lb Type III Nylon Paracord
- Stainless Steel 3 1/2″ 550 Type III Paracord Fid, Lacing, Stitching Needles
- Lighter and Scissors
There are 2 parts to creating a tool pouch. The first part is weaving the side of the pouch using cobra knots around a core like a cell phone, Leatherman or even a tin can. The second part is weaving the front and back portion using a lacing needle.
First Part
In the first part, you will need to identify the length of paracord needed. Fold the paracord in half and make a loop. Place your paracord along the sides of the core and mark the loose ends which touched the other side of the tin can. Then, start your cobra braid for the pouch’s border. Hold the folded paracord strands together and bend the strands back towards yourself. Take the left cord and thread it underneath the right cord. Then, take the right cord and move it under the left cord and over the body to tighten the knot.
To alternate the cobra knots, you now have to take the right cord and thread it underneath the left cord. Then, bend the left cord over the body into the right loop and tighten the knot. Lastly, cobra knots are repeated until there is a little loop left at the end.
Second Part
For the second part, you would need a paracord fid needle. Begin threading from the side without the little paracord loop at the end. If you notice, there are always two slots that you can thread your needle into which is the inside slot and outside slot. The loop which you pull your strand through would always be on the inside slot. Make the horizontal weaves for the front and back of the pouch. As for the vertical weave, you would need to make a checker pattern to complete your multi-tool pouch!
Here is a 20 minutes video that explains how you can build a paracord pouch using the 2 steps written above:
2. Paracord Survival Bracelet
Estimated length of paracord required: 11 feet
Items required:
- Titan 620 LB SurvivorCord Paracord
- Stainless Steel 3 1/2″ 550 Type III Paracord Fid, Lacing, Stitching Needles
- Paracord Bracelet Kit and Jig (Optional)
- Contoured Side Release Buckles for Paracord Bracelets (Optional)
- Lighter and Scissors
These bracelets are easy and fun to make! Get started by folding your 11 feet long paracord and find the centre point. Take the centre point and wrap it around your wrist so you can gauge how long your bracelet should be and mark the endpoint of the paracord bracelet. Then, hold the loop and fold it over. Begin with the left cord by threading it underneath the right cord. Then, take the right cord and move it under the left cord and around the back into the left loop. To alternate, take the right cord and thread it underneath the left cord. Similarly, take the left cord and move it below the right cord and around the back into the right loop. Repeat the steps until you are left with a tiny loop at the end of the paracord bracelet.
To secure the bracelet, you will need to use a paracord fid to form a stopper at the end of the paracord bracelet. To complete the survival bracelet, a stopper knot will be used as shown in the video below.
3. Paracord Belt
Estimated length of paracord required: 150 feet
Items required:
- Titan 620 LB SurvivorCord Paracord
- Paracord Belt Buckle or Plastic Buckle
- Stainless Steel 3 1/2″ 550 Type III Paracord Fid, Lacing, Stitching Needles
- Lighter and Scissors
To begin building your own paracord belt, you would need to purchase a belt buckle. Start by taking one loose end of the paracord and wrap around the buckle making about five loose loops. Then, tuck the end of the cord through the loops and ensure it is secured by melting its end. Thirdly, take the other end of the working cord and form a mini loop and tuck it under the loose loops. Make sure you have tightened the loops before we move on to the second part.
To build the body of the belt, you need to form new mini loops between the loose loops made before. If you have five loose loops, you will have four mini loops you can pull out in between (watch the video below at 3 minutes 20 seconds). Similarly, take the working end of the cord and form a mini loop, tuck it under those newly formed loose loops. Finally, attach the working cord onto the buckle end. This paracord belt is made using the Slatt’s rescue belt technique which is designed to be made in a short period of time with only paracord and buckle needed!
4. Paracord Hammock
Estimated length of paracord required: 500 feet
Items required:
- TOUGH-GRID Mil Spec Type IV 750lb Paracord
- Stretcher bars
Start by forming a cord line at the top (around neck level) where we will put girth hitch over the top line and pull 2 lines through. We will be forming 4-inch meshes throughout the hammock.
To make a girth hitch, fold your paracord line to find the centre. Hold the loop and place it on the top cord. Take the cord with loose ends and push through into the loop to make a girth hitch. Repeat the step for every four inches along the top cord line.
For the meshes, you will need to make a 2-inch mesh at the top and 4-inch mesh for the rest of the hammock body. Use a reef knot by taking the right cord over the left cord and pull the mesh according to the size you need. Then, take the left cord over the right cord to secure the knot for the mesh.
5. Paracord Backpack Handle
Estimated length of paracord required: 8 feet
Items required:
- OUTDOOR Paracord Planet Mil-Spec Commercial Grade 550lb Type III Nylon Paracord
- Bug Out Bag
- Lighter and Scissors
Measure the length of paracord you need for your bag handle and cut using the knife or scissors. Fold the paracord into halve which is 4 feet on each side and wrap the middle point around the handle. First, tie a knot by holding the two ropes together at one end, take the left strand over the right and under. After securing the first knot at the end, you will notice there are two different sides to the knot. One side is with the knot, while the other is without the knot.
Take the side without a knot to go over the side with a knot and tie another knot by taking it left and under. (Note: the side with a knot always go on top) Squeeze the first and second knots together and repeat the same steps until you finish wrapping your bug out bag handle with the 550 paracord.
Once you are satisfied with wrapping the handle, cut out the remaining paracord at each end. After cutting, the paracord ends are visible due to its fluffy loose ends and the white centre is exposed. Take a lighter and burn the loose ends so it is glued to the rope. Lastly, check if the paracord handle is properly glued so that the paracord handle would not come off easily and is safe to use.
6. Paracord Zipper Pulls
Estimated length of paracord required: 2 feet
Items required:
- OUTDOOR Paracord Planet Mil-Spec Commercial Grade 550lb Type III Nylon Paracord
- EDC Bag
- Lighter and Scissors
These paracord zipper pulls are suitable for any preppers who carry a bug out or everyday carry bag. The steps are straightforward and outlined below.
To begin, measure and cut roughly 2 feet long of paracord and fold it into halve to find the centre. Fold the right side of the cord up over itself to make a loop. Then, take the left cord and pull it under the right cord. From here, take the right end of the paracord and thread it inside the loop created by the left cord. Similarly, take the left end of the cord and thread it into the loop made by the right cord. Once the cords are tightened, you would have a base for your zipper pull.
Next, we want to weave a number of knots to form a pattern. Take the right cord and fold it underneath
Once you are satisfied with the number of knots, cut the loose ends of the cord and pull it tight. After cutting, the white centre of the paracord is exposed so make sure you use a lighter to melt the ends to prevent the cord from fraying.
This video shows multiple methods you can use to create a zipper pull including the cobra zipper pulls, snake knot zipper pulls, cross-knot zipper pulls, Matthew Walker Knot Zipper Pulls and Padlock Knot Zipper Pulls.
7. Paracord Knife Handle
Estimated length of paracord required: 8 feet
Items required:
- OUTDOOR Paracord Planet Mil-Spec Commercial Grade 550lb Type III Nylon Paracord
- Lighter and Scissors
Firstly, fold the 8 feet cord in half and place behind the knife handle. Take the left cord and cross over the right cord. Then, take the right cord and bring it through the left loop forming your first knot. Make sure you have tightened the knot before weaving the next knot. Then, turn your knife over and repeat the same process over and over again until you have wrapped your knife handle. Cut any loose ends and melt the paracord ends.
8. Paracord Bullwhip
Estimated length of paracord required: 130 feet
Items required:
- TOUGH-GRID Mil Spec Type IV 750lb Paracord
- 8 Inch
nail - Copper Coated BBs Cal. 4.5mm
- Home Vise
- Electrical tape, Measuring tape, Super glue, Lighter, Scissors
First, cut a 1 foot long of paracord, remove the inner strands and fill the paracord with copper coated BBs. Note that paracord will shrink when you fill them with BBs so your first one foot long paracord will shrink to about 13 inches. Next, you will need to repeat step one with a 3.5 feet paracord and fill the cord with BBs as well. Lastly, cut another 4.5 feet long of cord but do not fill this cord with BBs.
To make the core for your bullwhip, glue the 3 strands prepared onto the tip of 8 inch nail. Wrap your electrical tape around the 3 cords and the 8 inch nail tightly to form the core. Next, use your home
For the overlay, you will require 6 different strand lengths which are 19 feet, 19 feet, 14 feet, 12 feet, 10 feet and 6.5 feet. Find the centres of these cords and glue it on to the nail head. Similar as before, wrap the bullwhip handle and body by crossing the paracords over one another but this time three strands by three strands. Cut any loose ends if needed and melt the paracord ends to ensure a nice finish.
That’s all! Hope you enjoy these paracord projects as much as I do. Let me know in the comments how your project turns out if you happen to do any of these.