Paracord – the short answer
Paracord is a nylon cord made of a braided outer sheath with several core strands inside. The name comes from parachute cord. The type people buy most often is paracord 550: about 4 mm thick, with 7 strands inside and a manufacturer-stated breaking strength of around 240–260 kg. It suits most jobs on a hike and in camp. Choose a thinner cord (minicord) for small items and a thicker one (PowerCord) when you need more strength.
Paracord is not a climbing rope. It must not be used to hold a person's weight or to lift loads overhead.
What 550, Type III and MIL-C-5040H mean
The numbers come from the US military standard MIL-C-5040H. It divides parachute cord into types by minimum breaking strength in pounds:
- Type I – 95 lb;
- Type II – 400 lb;
- Type III – 550 lb (about 250 kg), with 7–9 core strands;
- Type IV – 750 lb.
That's why "paracord 550" and "Type III" usually mean the same thing. The standard itself is no longer in force, and commercial cord may differ from it. In military cord, each core strand is twisted from three yarns; in commercial cord, often from two. When a description says "Mil-Spec" or "MIL-C-5040H", the manufacturer is stating that the cord meets the military specification. When it just says "550", it's commercial cord of similar strength.
What the kilograms tell you
The figure given for each paracord is the force at which the cord breaks. It is not a working load. Knots, sharp edges and sudden jerks all reduce its strength. In the description of the M-Tac Survival paracord, for example, the manufacturer says it plainly: it withstands a static load, but not large jerks.
The types you'll find in our shop
Paracord 550 / Type III – the all-rounder
About 3.6–4 mm thick, 7 core strands, a manufacturer-stated breaking strength of 240–260 kg. Good for pitching a tarp or poncho, securing a camouflage net and attaching gear to a backpack. Choose the M-Tac Paracord 550 Type III (15, 30 and 100 m), the M-Tac Paracord 550 Type III (MIL-SPEC), which the manufacturer states meets MIL-C-5040H, or the Tac Maven Paracord 550 Rope (30 m, 7 strands, 249 kg).
Paracord 475 – thinner
3 mm thick, 7 strands, a manufacturer-stated 220 kg. Lighter and more flexible than 550, so it's handy where you need a lot of cord but not a lot of strength: M-Tac Paracord 475.
Minicord – for small jobs
2–2.2 mm thick, 3 strands, 100–120 kg. For lanyards so you don't lose small items, for zip pulls, and for tying and repairs. The manufacturer states that the M-Tac Paracord Minicord Mil-Spec meets MIL-C-5040H. There's also a reflective version.
PowerCord and Dragon Cord – when you need something stronger
M-Tac Paracord PowerCord1000 – 5.5 mm thick, 15 strands, a manufacturer-stated 450 kg. M-Tac Dragon Cord – 3.6 mm, 7 strands, 260 kg.
Survival paracord – with extra strands
Alongside the usual strands, the core holds things you may need outdoors. M-Tac Paracord Survival has a jute strand for starting a fire and braided fishing line.
Elastic paracord (shock cord) – not the same thing
M-Tac Paracord Shock-Cord has a latex core and stretches up to 1.7 times its length. It's for holding things that need to stay under tension: tarp edges, cargo nets, items on a backpack. It can't replace ordinary paracord.
What paracord is used for
- pitching a tarp, shelter cape or poncho (see our ponchos);
- securing a camouflage net;
- attaching gear to a backpack or belt;
- lanyards so you don't lose small items (a flashlight, compass or knife);
- a clothesline in camp;
- spare bootlaces and a pull for a broken zip;
- wrapping a knife handle;
- the core strands can be used as thread.
What paracord is not for
- climbing, belaying or holding a person's weight;
- lifting loads overhead;
- towing or pulling where there will be sudden jerks.
Jobs like these need certified ropes and equipment.
How many metres you need
15 m is enough for lanyards, bootlaces and small repairs. 30 m is a handy amount for hiking and camping: for pitching a tarp and for a clothesline. A 60–100 m spool makes sense when you use paracord all the time or share it with a team.
Frequently asked questions
Are paracord 550 and Type III the same thing?
Usually, yes: under MIL-C-5040H, Type III has to withstand 550 lb. But "550" on commercial cord doesn't by itself mean it meets the military specification – for that, the description has to say "Mil-Spec" or MIL-C-5040H.
Can I abseil or hang from paracord?
No. Paracord is not designed to hold a person's weight.
Why does the breaking strength of 550 paracord differ between manufacturers (240, 249, 250 kg)?
550 lb is about 249 kg. Manufacturers round the figure differently, and commercial cord may be made slightly differently from military cord.
How is elastic paracord different from ordinary paracord?
Its core is latex, so it stretches. Ordinary paracord stretches very little and suits jobs where the cord has to hold.
A quick way to choose
- Not sure which one you need? Take 550 / Type III, 30 m.
- For lanyards and small jobs – minicord.
- When you need more strength – PowerCord1000.
- For a survival kit – Survival, with extra strands (for the kit itself, see the guide on how to build a survival kit).
- To keep something under tension – elastic.
You'll find all our paracord and ropes in the ropes and paracord category.