🎣
TackleCalc
Free fishing gear calculators
TackleCalc
Calculators
Charts
Guides
About

How to Tie a Double Uni Knot

By ·How these numbers are built·Last reviewed:

The double uni is the default braid-to-leader knot in the US for a reason: it is strong, it is quick once you have the rhythm, and it does not need a third hand. Here is how to tie it so it does not slip.

What you need

The five steps

  1. Overlap the lines for about 8 to 10 inches and hold them together between thumb and forefinger.
  2. Tie a uni knot with one tag end around the other line. Pass the tag through the loop it creates and make six wraps around both the standing line and the opposing line, going back toward the loop. Pull it snug but do not lock it down.
  3. Repeat on the other side with the other tag end, again six wraps. Two uni knots now face each other along the same pair of lines.
  4. Lubricate both knots with water or saliva, then pull the two standing lines apart slowly. The knots slide together and jam in the middle.
  5. Trim the tag ends close, leaving a millimeter or two, and pull once more to seat everything.

The two knots meeting in the middle is what makes it hold. Each one is a stopper for the other.

Where it goes wrong

Too few wraps. Four wraps slips under load on braid. Six is the number that holds, seven or eight if your braid is very thin.

Jerking it tight. Pulling fast generates heat and can weaken the leader. Pull slowly and evenly until the coils stack up neatly.

Trimming flush. Leaving no tag at all lets the knot work loose over a session. Leave a tiny stub.

Not seating it with the standing lines. Pull the two main lines apart, not the tags. That is what drives the knots together.

What makes this knot easier to tie well

A good double uni is mostly about the tools and the line, not the technique.

Braid scissors

Braid defeats ordinary clippers and your teeth. A sharp dedicated cutter makes clean tag ends, which is most of what a good double uni looks like.

Check current price on Amazon →

Fluorocarbon leader

The leader is half the knot. Fresh, supple fluorocarbon seats far better than old line that has gone stiff on the spool.

Check current price on Amazon →

Braid main line

Round, smooth braid wraps and stacks more cleanly than coarse braid, and it is the difference between a knot that jams and one that slips.

Check current price on Amazon →

Knot tool

A 4-in-1 tool pulls the coils down tight without warming the line with your fingers, and trims the tags in the same motion.

Check current price on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate, TackleCalc earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by Amazon and change without notice. Read our full affiliate disclosure.

Joining two lines of different size

The double uni is the join to use when braid meets leader. The single uni knot is the base method, the knot strength calculator shows retention, and the braid to mono converter gives the matching diameter.

Frequently asked questions

How many wraps should a double uni have?

Six per side is the standard. Use seven or eight on very thin braid, and you can get away with five on heavy mono, but six each side is the number most anglers settle on.

Is the double uni or the FG knot stronger?

The FG is stronger and thinner, so it passes through rod guides more easily. The double uni is much faster to tie and plenty strong for most freshwater fishing. Use the uni unless you are casting through small guides all day.

Can I use a double uni for leader to lure?

You can, but a loop knot or a Palomar is better at the lure end. The double uni is built for joining two lines, not for attaching hardware.

Why does my double uni slip?

Usually too few wraps or a dry tie. Wet both knots, use six wraps, and pull the two main lines apart slowly instead of jerking them.

How long should the leader be?

Two to three feet for most freshwater, long enough that several casts of abrasion do not shorten it past usefulness. Go longer in clear water.

Related calculators and guides

Knot strength chart · Surgeon's knot · Uni knot · Best knots for braid · Knot strength calculator

Next knots to learn

How to Tie a Palomar Knot · How to Tie an Improved Clinch Knot · How to Tie a Uni Knot · How to Tie an FG Knot · How to Tie a Blood Knot · How to Tie a Surgeon's Knot · How to Tie a Snell Knot · How to Tie a Non-Slip Loop Knot · How to Spool a Spinning Reel · Spooling Without Line Twist · How to Set Drag on a Reel

Numbers to go with it: Knot Strength Calculator · Line Diameter Converter · Shock Leader Calculator

Disclaimer: The numbers on this page are estimates based on published specifications and standard formulas. Real-world results vary with brand, gear condition and how the equipment is set up. TackleCalc is an independent reference site and is not affiliated with any manufacturer. Nothing here replaces the instructions that come with your own gear.