Learn how to make a paracord belt and have a practical fashion item with survival uses, handy!

RELATED: Cool Paracord Projects

In this article:

How to Make a Paracord Belt Plus Tips and Tricks

Paracord Belt vs Paracord Bracelet

Paracord bracelets can come in handy but only have 8-12 feet of rope, while a paracord belt can have up to 50 feet or more of 550 paracords. A paracord bracelet can be a handful to DIY too since it’s a smaller item, while a paracord belt allows you more room to work on.

In extreme survival situations, 50 feet of rope would be a lot more useful for you than 8-12 feet. This paracord belt can give you at least 50 feet of paracord rope and up to 100 ft. of 550 cord depending on your waist size.

This belt is a quick deploy paracord belt using Slatt’s rescue weave. You can unravel, or deploy, the paracord in a matter of seconds.

With this step-by-step guide on how to make a paracord belt, let’s get this easy paracord belt started now!

Supplies You Will Need to Make a Paracord Belt

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For best results, we recommend you use high quality 550 Paracord. If you are indeed intending on ever possibly using your paracord belt for survival purposes, you will want it to be the most durable for your needs.

Instructions on How to Make a Paracord Belt

Step 1. Measure the Length of Your DIY Paracord Belt

How much cord do you need for a paracord belt? The length of rope your paracord belt will contain is determined on the size of your waist.

For a waist size of 32″, you can approximate a length of 50 feet of rope. So, the larger the waist, the longer the rope.

Step 2. Prepare the Paracord and Buckle

With this particular belt buckle, you cannot tighten your belt. But don’t worry, it has a bit of a stretch because of the paracord, so you don’t need to worry about Christmas dinner.

Right now, I am working on a belt with a standard metal buckle using this weave, and it looks amazing. This makes my new belt adjustable, and I know some have asked about that.

I will be posting this one soon, so if that is what you are looking for, please check back or follow us on Facebook to get updates.

Step 3. Threading Your Paracord Belt Buckle

First off, you do not need to cut your paracord rope. The looping process of this paracord belt makes it so you do not need to measure how long the rope should be.

You will just keep unraveling the paracord to loop into your paracord belt as you make it. Using a match or lighter, melt the end of your paracord belt rope so that it does not fray.

Now, grab your paracord belt buckle and take one side to start your loops. Make sure you melt the frayed end of the paracord so that does not become unraveled.

Step 4. Loop the Buckle

Begin the weaving process of your paracord belt with your first through-loop (TL=through loop).

You are going to loop the buckle 4 times, leaving the loops slightly loose to give space for paracord to pass through the loops.

Tie the melted end so it does not come undone from the paracord belt buckle.

Take the unmelted end in your hand and make a loop with it. Now take that loop and slide it through the 4 buckle loops.

Leave a few inches of the through-loop (TL) at the end. You are going to want to make sure that the through-loop is positioned with the continuing end at the top.

This is what you are going to use to create more loops, so you need to have access to pull more paracord for your use.

RELATED: Paracord Projects: How To Make A Giant Monkey Fist

Step 5. Create Your Finger Loops

Slightly spread your 4 belt loops apart to reveal the through loop (TL). Make sure the top part of the through-loop (TL) is the part of the paracord that continues to your extra paracord, and not the one that connects to the buckle loops.

Step 6. Maneuver the Loops with a Skewer

Now grab your skewer and pull up the (TL) into new loops in between the belt loops.

Do this until you have 4 loops total including your (TL). You want to make sure that all of these loops are roughly the width of your finger.

Your (TL) has now become one of your finger loops (FL). The most difficult part of this paracord belt weave is the beginning.

It may take you a few times to get it right. Have some patience. Once you figure it out, the rest is easy.

Place your finger inside the finger loops (FL). Make sure that your (FL) are twisted clockwise when placing on your finger.

You always want the part of the loop closest to the excess paracord to be facing you.

Step 7. Thread Finger Loops with Through-Loop

Thread finger loops (FL) with another through-loop (TL). Now you are going to basically repeat steps 3-5.

Make sure all if your (FL) are twisted in the right direction before you thread your though-loop (TL).

Thread your through-loop (TL) through your (FL). Make sure your running end of paracord is on the top side of your (TL).

Step 8. Tighten Your Finger Loop

To start tightening your finger loop(FL). You are going to take your second (FL) in the row and pull on the back piece.

This will start to tighten your first (FL).

Work your way down the row, pulling from the back of the loops to tighten the loop in front of it.

Lastly, you are going to pull on the (TL) on the bottom side of the loop that is attached to the (FL) to tighten them down. Now you have completed your first row of loops! Once you’ve got this down, all your belt is, is this repeating pattern.

Step 9. Repeat

Repeat, repeat, repeat. Patience, patience, patience. Here are pictures of the next row to reiterate what was just shown.

Make sure your through-loop (TL) has the running end on top. This is where you are going to make your (FL) from.

Create all your finger loops. (FL)

Make sure to twist them clockwise so that the running end is facing towards you.

Thread the (TL) then tighten. And repeat. Continue this process until your belt is long enough to fit around your waist.

Step 10. Finish Your Paracord Belt

Finish your paracord belt. The last step is to attach your paracord to the other side of the belt buckle.

Create another row of (FL). Take all the (FL) and slide them through the paracord belt loop.

Create another (TL) and run it through the finger loop (FL) that are through the belt buckle.

Tighten your loops and leave your (TL) open just a bit.

Cut your paracord with a little extra slack and then run it through the (TL).

Tie a knot to keep it secure and then melt the end of the paracord so your paracord belt doesn’t unravel.

And now you have a completed paracord belt! Time to try it on!

Tips and Tricks on How to Make a Paracord Belt

There are a few things you want to be aware of while weaving your belt.

The paracord likes to twist up on you while you are looping it.

Be sure to untwist the paracord while you are working with it otherwise it will cause your weave to look wrong.

Be sure to not tighten your loops too much either. This will also screw with the look of your weave, and make it difficult to pull out when its time for you to use your paracord.

Deploying Your DIY Survival Belt

This part is really easy! Here’s all you have to do:

Just untie your knot. Detach from your buckle. Pull the end of the paracord.

Your belt will begin to unravel. It will take you about 20 seconds to unravel your whole belt.

A quick, fast way to have the rope at your disposal whenever you need.

Want another paracord project? This video from Alpha One 982 will show you how to make a DIY paracord bottle wrap:

Why buy paracord accessories when they are so easy to make, and worth your time, too. Well, with these step-by-step instructions on how to make a paracord bracelet, you know better than to spend big bucks to buy one.

Will you give this DIY paracord bracelet a try? Let us know how it went and you may share some photos of your creation in the comments section below!

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on December 2, 2013, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.