Useful Tools

Paracord Bracelet Instructions: Best DIY Bracelet Patterns

Multiple Colored Paracord Bracelets

Paracord accessories are becoming popular, and with good reason. They are useful and can be attached to almost any survival tool. Not only that, but they’re also fun to make.

In this article, I’ll describe several knots and give you paracord bracelet instructions on completing your own paracord bracelet.

Paracord is highly durable and is widely used to make bracelets, necklaces, belts, and more because it is not easily damaged. Once you get the hang of using paracord, you can use your imagination and make almost anything using paracord and knots.

For paracord ideas, check out our article on Paracord Projects.

Paracord Bracelet Instructions – Materials

If you don’t have Paracord materials, I’ve put together a quick list below. I’ve also provided some links to purchase materials if you need them.

  • Paracord
  • Lighter
  • Tape measure or ruler
  • scissors
  • buckles
Amazon product

Fishtail Paracord Survival Bracelet Instructions

Fishtail weave with paracord bracelet

We’ll begin with the Fishtail Survival Bracelet.

We will create a bracelet of 7.5 inches, so you’ll need around 12 feet of paracord. We will make the bracelet lose (about 9.5 inches in total) so you can find the right fit.

  1. Take a lighter or matches and melt the ends of the paracord. Use clips to press the ends after heating them. This will prevent unraveling.
  2. Prepare a bracelet buckle and thread the cord through the buckles’ ends. Paracord tends to twist while you manipulate it, making it tricky to thread through openings. Use one hand to straighten and untwist it as you work.
  3. Connect your paracord to the second buckle. When that’s done, thread the two loose ends through the paracord on the first buckle. You’ll have a total of four parallel cords between the two clips.
  4. Repeat this same technique and make two more parallel cords. You’ll have a capacity of 6 similar lines going through both buckle ends – two pairs should be above and one pair below.
  5. This process is fairly simple and doesn’t require any fancy weaving technique. Take the two free cord ends on the top buckle. If you can’t find them, turn the buckle ends over to keep the cords on top. You’ll be weaving from top to bottom.
  6. Take the right-hand cord and thread it through the middle right between each parallel line. Pull the free paracord to the left horizontally. Fix any twists of the rope with your other hand. Pull hard so that the intersection is tight.
  7. Take the left-hand line and do the same. Thread it through the middle of the vertical parallel cords and pull to the right. Tighten the intersection.
  8. Again, take a right free cord, pull through the middle, and tighten. Do the same with the left, just like above. Keep doing this to the end of the bracelet’s length.
  9. Finally, you’ll need to make sure that the weaving is tight and won’t unravel. Take your two cords and pull them through the last horizontal knot using a thin clipper. Then, cut the ends an inch away from the tight knot and burn them using a lighter or matches.

If you need more help, check out our article on Paracord Knots.

Dragon’s Tongue Technique

Dragon's Tongue Weave with Paracord Bracelet
  1. Use a paracord that is 12 ft in length. Interweave the strands just like in the previous instructions.
  2. Attach the paracord to one end of the buckle and then thread through the other end.
  3. Next, adjust the length of the bracelet itself, and weave the cord’s ends one more time through the end of the first buckle. You should have two pairs of parallel cords. Again, fix any twists before you move forward.
  4. Take a right free cord on the right and place it behind the entire bracelet – perpendicular to the length of the bracelet.
  5. Then, take a left free line and thread it above the two middle cords and the outermost towards the right side. Pull that cord to tighten it. Arrange it to stay close to the buckle.
  6. Next, we’ll reverse the threading order – this one should be below the two middle and outermost cords. It will go from left to right. Again, you’ll have two accessible cords next to each other.
  7. Place the top cord over the other cord and pull it below the outermost lines and above the middle two.
  8. Next, pull it through to the left side. Now take the second free cord (which is still on your right side) and pull it below the middle cords and above the outermost.
  9. Proceed with this pattern until you reach the second bracelet buckle. Throughout the bracelet’s length, always try to remove any twists from the cords.
  10. As you reach the end, you’ll notice that the bracelet itself feels tight and solid, but the cords attached to the buckle will feel a bit lose. To tighten the last part, thread the right line through the pin on the right side from below.
  11. Next, do the same with the left cord to the left side, from below, and pull. If you turn the bracelet 180 degrees, it will be easier to proceed, so the final step is on top. Tighten the knot as you make two loops.
  12. Finally, thread the loose ends through the loops.

As you already know you have to cut the cords and burn the ends.

Shark Bone Paracord Technique

Paracord Bracelet Sharkbone Technique

Another Popular weave is the Shark Bone Technique

  1. Begin by securing one of the bracelet buckles with the paracord. This step is also completed in the above tutorials.
  2. Next, thread the two accessible cords through the second buckle and spread them aside. Then, thread the left cord from below and prepare a loop.
  3. Next, thread the right free cord between the two bracelet strands and through the left circle. It should look like you’re trying to tie your shoes by making the first tie.
  4. Tighten the knot. Now, you’ll have the two accessible cords with reversed positions. Continue this again, using the right cord to start with.
  5. Continue to thread your strand between the bracelet cords, prepare the loop, and pull the other line in between and through the loop. Tighten.
  6. Proceed weaving this pattern by beginning with the left, then right, left, and so on.
  7. Finally, complete your bracelet as described in the above tutorials. Next, tighten your ends and burn them.

Sawtooth Paracord Bracelet Technique

Sawtooth Paracord Bracelet Weave
  1. Start as you have in the tutorials above. Next, straighten all twists and irregularities in the cords.
  2. Take the two cords from above the first buckle, and thread them both through the middle of the bracelet.
  3. Next, twist them inside the center and pull them through the opposite sides. Then repeat the process.
  4. The bracelet may be a bit loose at the beginning since there isn’t an actual knot throughout its length. Try to keep it tightened as much as possible. Also, always arrange the cords so that they are orderly. Otherwise, you’ll distort the pattern.
  5. At the end of your paracord bracelet, cut each cord and melt its end. Make sure to cut at an inch or two from where the cable is threaded. This will ensure that the lines can be pressed and sealed to the inside of the bracelet.

First, gather two paracords. Begin by using one strand to make an easy loop through the buckle, tightening it around itself. Next, prepare two loops with the accessible cords and thread them through their coils. However, make sure to keep the circles very loose.

Paracord Bracelet Instructions – Final Thoughts

There are many different types of weaves on the internet. The ones above are just a few of the most popular. Check the internet for many other styles and if you would like more detailed direction then take a look at the guides below.

Amazon product
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you click on one of these links and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Also, as an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If the information in this post has been helpful, please consider purchasing through one of the links in this article. Thank you.

About the author

Ellie Thomas

Survival-Mastery reflects my love of the outdoors and having the skills to take care of myself in the wilderness and in worst-case scenarios. I grew up in the southeast backpacking, camping, and fishing, and I have hiked and backpacked over 15,000 miles in the US. My background and career for the past 30 years has been in operations and construction and I enjoy learning and DIY projects.

8 Comments

  • Hi, Samuel! Thanks a lot for this awesome instructions post! I absolutely love paracord and the videos are super helpful. Gonna try these out! I travel a lot and paracord is a priceless travel accessory. Could you add the mamba weave sometime? I’ve had a bit hard time to find instructions for that.

  • Can you tell me how much cord is needed for the slithering snake per inch of bracelet? Is it the standard 1 foot per inch? I can’t seem to find the answer anywhere.

  • What is the name of the orange paracord in the Dragon’s Tongue pattern and where can I buy it? Thanks.

  • It is referred to as a Two Color Paracord Fishtail Bracelet. The particular piece displayed in the article is a homemade, but you can find other unique Two Color Paracord Fishtail Bracelets on Amazon. Alternatively, you can use the guidelines provided in this post to make your own model just like the one displayed in the post.

  • The sawtooth pattern states to attach the “buckle” using the same method as the previous patterns…except it uses a loop and knot closure (?).
    The instructions aren’t real clear and difficult to follow, especially for someone new to the art.
    While I did not end up with the sawtooth, I did come up with my own unique pattern and am quite pleased with it.
    Thanks anyhow.

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