Make Your Own Paracord Bracelet

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.

What is Paracord?
Make your own paracord braceletParacord, 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 designs:

Bracelets
Paracord Snake Design
Paracord Woven Watchband
Paracord Keychain

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.

21 Responses to “Make Your Own Paracord Bracelet”

  1. mike mcdaniel wrote:

    I served 26 yrs in the military & 4 yrs with the sheriffs dept. search and rescue. the usefulness of paracord is like the same as duct tape a 101 uses. thanks for your article it was great.

     January 3rd, 2013 at 5:47 pm
  2. Anne Bacher wrote:

    Where do you buy things like the side-release buckle?

     January 5th, 2013 at 8:36 am
  3. Battlefield EXPOZD wrote:

    How cool is that! My son had a problem with his watchband so I showed this to him and he is excited. LOL…now we have to find the roll of paracord we have around here.

     January 5th, 2013 at 9:19 am
  4. Kim wrote:

    What is the size of the side release buckle for an average project like this? Thanks

     January 5th, 2013 at 10:00 am
  5. Steve wrote:

    Kim for men 5/8 inch buckle they sell on amazon

     January 5th, 2013 at 10:59 am
  6. cmonty wrote:

    Why not make a longer one like the watch strap design..say for a shoulder strap, you cold add a metal or plastic clip to attach it to any d-ring. That would give you some extra length for larger needs.

     January 5th, 2013 at 11:30 am
  7. Tracy wrote:

    Thanks for the info love you site!

     January 5th, 2013 at 2:47 pm
  8. warren wrote:

    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.

     January 5th, 2013 at 4:11 pm
  9. coastiekevink wrote:

    nice article! lots of great videos on youtube about this subject. not having paracord in you kit (first aid, bug out bag, etc) is like having a gun with no ammo!

     January 5th, 2013 at 5:38 pm
  10. Brian wrote:

    http://www.paracordzone.com

    These are the real McCoy, made by a vet. The smaller cord (100LB) is better as you get more footage, about 12 -15 feet.

     January 5th, 2013 at 6:06 pm
  11. Bren wrote:

    How can you make a belt?

     January 5th, 2013 at 8:42 pm
  12. The Ready Store wrote:

    @Bren, stay tuned!

     January 6th, 2013 at 12:38 am
  13. Bill wrote:

    I think it would be easier to see if you used a color than black paracord.

     January 7th, 2013 at 6:57 am
  14. Brenda wrote:

    where do you buy paracord

     January 8th, 2013 at 6:04 pm
  15. mason wrote:

    Just made a dog collar using this method… Now my dog carries 35ft of cord as well!

     January 16th, 2013 at 8:11 pm
  16. scott wrote:

    what if i want to use 2 different colors?

     January 16th, 2013 at 11:49 pm
  17. Ruth wrote:

    The hooks are available at most fabric stores military surplus stores and even a the dollar store sometimes.

     February 25th, 2013 at 5:30 pm
  18. Venessa Laforce wrote:

    That is a very good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere. Simple but very accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read article!

     February 27th, 2013 at 3:29 pm
  19. Jessica wrote:

    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.

     March 24th, 2013 at 11:12 am
  20. Sandy Brunk wrote:

    I make rhythm beads for horses, basically it is a necklace for a horse. I came up with an idea the other day and thought you might be able to help me. The average size of a rhythm bead is 54″. How would I figure the paracord to make it into a rhythm bead?

     April 2nd, 2013 at 2:44 pm
  21. Markwell wrote:

    I like the way you present this! Simple and effective!

     April 17th, 2013 at 9:06 am

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