What Is 550 Paracord?
550 paracord — officially Type III parachute cord — is a lightweight nylon kernmantle rope originally used in parachute suspension lines. It consists of a woven outer sheath covering seven inner strands, each made of two or three smaller yarns. The result is a cord that is 4 millimeters thick, weighs almost nothing, and holds 550 pounds of static load.
Military personnel started finding uses for it beyond parachutes almost immediately. Today paracord is standard equipment in camping kits, survival bags, military loadouts, and EDC setups worldwide.
15 Practical Uses
Shelter and Camp
- Ridgeline for a tarp shelter — String between two trees, drape a tarp over it, stake the corners. Instant rain protection.
- Tent guy lines — Replace or supplement broken tent lines. Cut to length and tie off.
- Clothesline — Hang wet clothing and gear to dry in camp or at home during power outages.
- Bear bag suspension — Hang your food bag from a tree branch to keep it away from wildlife.
- Hammock ridgeline — Support a hammock between trees with proper knot work.
Repair and Utility
- Boot lace replacement — Cut a length of paracord and thread it through your eyelets. Holds up better than most commercial laces.
- Gear lashing — Secure equipment to a backpack, roof rack, or vehicle bed.
- Zipper pull replacement — Thread a small loop of paracord through a broken zipper tab.
- Bundle firewood — Wrap and carry split wood from the woodpile to the fire pit.
- Emergency belt — Thread through belt loops when a belt breaks or is unavailable.
Survival and Emergency
- Tourniquet — In a life-threatening bleeding emergency, paracord can be used as an improvised tourniquet. A purpose-built tourniquet is better, but paracord works when nothing else is available.
- Fishing line — Pull out the inner strands. Each yarn makes serviceable fishing line for survival situations.
- Snare construction — Inner strands work as snare loops for small game procurement.
- Fire bow drill — The outer sheath works as the string in a bow drill fire starting setup.
- Splint binding — Secure a splint to an injured limb using paracord wraps.
How Much to Carry
- EDC — A paracord bracelet gives you 10 to 15 feet always on your wrist. Minimal weight, always available.
- Day hike — 25 to 50 feet in your pack.
- Camping trip — 100 feet minimum. You will use more than you think.
- Emergency kit — 100 feet coiled in your 72-hour bag.
- Vehicle kit — 50 feet in your trunk emergency bag.
Real Paracord vs. Knockoffs
Not all paracord is genuine 550. Cheap knockoffs use fewer inner strands, thinner sheaths, and lower-quality nylon. The result is cord that looks the same but fails under load. Real 550 paracord has:
- 7 inner strands (not 5 or 3)
- A braided outer sheath that feels smooth and consistent
- 550-pound minimum tensile strength
- Slight stretch under load without snapping
Buy quality cord once. It lasts for years and performs when it matters. Browse our outdoor and survival gear for paracord and accessories that meet real specifications.