Uni knot
A Uni knot is a sliding, multi-wrap knot used to join two lines or to form a loop. Tied as a “double uni,” it’s a common way to connect leader sections and tippet.
- Group
- Line-to-line knots
- Category
- Knots & rigging
- Level
- Beginner
- Water
- Fresh & salt
Last updated
What Uni knot means
This knot is built by forming a small loop in the line and wrapping the tag end around the standing line and back through that loop several times. When you pull it tight, the wraps snug down into a compact barrel.
For line-to-line connections, anglers tie a Uni in each line around the other line, then pull the standing lines to slide the two knots together. That version is usually called a double uni knot.
It’s used for building or repairing leaders, adding tippet, and joining materials that don’t like a blood knot, such as lines with noticeably different diameters or stiffness.
Why it matters on the water
The Uni gives a clean connection without needing perfect symmetry. That matters when you are tying with cold hands, low light, or mixed materials, like nylon leader to fluorocarbon tippet.
A well-dressed Uni seats reliably and leaves short tag ends. That helps the knot slide through guides more smoothly and reduces little hang-ups that can cost distance or make a drift harder to manage.
Read next
- Blood knotA blood knot is a line-to-line knot used to join two pieces of similar-diameter mono or fluorocarbon, most often leader to tippet.
- Double uni knotA line-to-line knot made by tying two uni knots back-to-back and snugging them together. It’s commonly used to join leader to tippet, or mono to fluorocarbon.
- Surgeon's knotA surgeon’s knot is a quick line-to-line knot used to join leader and tippet, or to build a dropper tag for a second fly.
- TippetTippet is the thin, level line tied to the end of your leader. It’s the section you cut back and replace as you change flies and re-tie knots.