Paracord: light, strong cord for a hundred camp and kit jobs
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Quick answer
Paracord is a braided nylon cord with a woven sheath over inner core strands. Standard 550 paracord, such as Atwood Rope's, is rated at 550 lb tensile strength, about 4 mm thick, with a 7-strand core you can pull apart for thinner cord. Survival cords add extras inside: Titan's SurvivorCord adds fishing line, a fire-starting strand and brass wire. Those ratings are breaking strength, not a safe working load, so never use paracord for climbing or lifting people.
Three cords compared
| Spec | Atwood Rope 550 | Titan SurvivorCord | Titan SurvivorCord XT 750 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 550 lb (249 kg) | 620 lb | Over 1,000 lb |
| Core | 7 strands | Paracord core plus fishing line, fire strand and wire | Type IV cord plus fishing line, fire strand and aramid thread |
| Extras | None | 25 lb monofilament fishing line, waxed jute fire starter, 30 AWG brass wire | 25 lb braided fishing line, waxed jute fire starter, 110 lb aramid thread |
| Size and weight | 5/32 in (4 mm), 8 oz per 100 ft | Not listed in Titan's summary | Not listed in Titan's summary |
| Made in | USA | Not stated in summary | USA |
Specs are from Atwood Rope's and Titan Paracord's product pages, checked October 2026.
What 550 and 750 mean
- The number is pounds: 550 paracord is rated at 550 lb of tensile strength, Atwood lists.
- Tensile strength is breaking strength: the makers here list how much the cord holds before breaking, not a safe working load for repeated or shock loads.
- Higher ratings: Titan lists over 1,000 lb for its XT 750 cord, and Atwood lists 1,150 lb for its thicker 1/4 inch 1100 cord.
- Weight adds up: Atwood lists 8 oz per 100 ft of its 550 cord, so 100 ft weighs half a pound.
The inner strands
- Gutting the cord: Atwood says pulling out the 7 inner strands turns a length of paracord into hundreds of feet of thinner cordage.
- The math: Atwood describes its cord as 8 lines in 1 (7 core strands plus the sheath), so 50 ft yields about 400 ft of line, though each inner strand is much thinner than the full cord.
- Uses for inner strands: sewing repairs, lashing small items, tying up gear and similar light jobs.
- Survival cord extras: Titan's cords put fishing line, a fire-starting strand and wire inside instead of plain strands.
Useful jobs in a kit
- Shelter: a ridgeline for a tarp; see our emergency bivvy and tent guides.
- Hanging gear: food bags, lanterns, drying lines.
- Repairs: bootlaces, pack straps, zipper pulls.
- Securing loads: tying down light gear on a vehicle or cart, within the cord's limits.
- Fire starting: Titan's waxed jute strand is designed as a fire starter; see our ferro rod guide.
- How much: 50 to 100 ft is easy to carry in a go-bag; at Atwood's 8 oz per 100 ft, 50 ft weighs 4 oz.
Plain cord or survival cord?
- Plain 550 for bulk: buy longer lengths for tarps, lines and repairs; Atwood sells 100 ft, 300 ft spools and 1,000 ft lengths of its 550 cord.
- Survival cord for small kits: Titan's SurvivorCord packs fishing line, a fire strand and brass wire inside, so one coil covers several jobs in a car or go-bag kit.
- Stronger cord for heavier jobs: Titan's XT 750 lists over 1,000 lb tensile strength, roughly double the 550 rating, for ridgelines and lashings within cord limits.
- Mix both: a plain hank for everyday use plus a short survival-cord length in each kit.
Care and cutting
- Seal the ends: nylon ends fray when cut; carefully melt them with a lighter outdoors, away from the face.
- UV and rot: Atwood lists its cord as UV and rot resistant and says the color will not run or bleed.
- Store dry and coiled or on a spool; Atwood sells 300 ft spools and 1,000 ft lengths.
- Inspect before use: retire cord with cut, melted or worn sheath.
What paracord is not for
- Not climbing or rescue rope: the ratings here are breaking strengths, not life-safety ratings.
- Not for lifting people or hanging anything over people.
- Not for towing vehicles or other jobs where a snapping cord could injure someone.
- Not a tourniquet: use a commercial tourniquet and training; see our tourniquet guide.
What to look for when you buy
Plain 550: Atwood Rope 550 Paracord, 100 ft
Best for: General kit cord and repairs
Atwood lists 550 lb tensile strength, a 7-strand core, 5/32 inch diameter, 8 oz per 100 ft, UV and rot resistance and U.S. manufacture.
Watch out: Breaking strength, not a working load; not for climbing.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Survival extras: Titan SurvivorCord 550
Best for: Go-bags where cord doubles as fishing line, fire starter and wire
Titan lists 620 lb tensile strength with 25 lb monofilament fishing line, a waxed jute fire starter strand and 30 AWG brass wire built into the cord.
Watch out: Using the inner extras weakens that length of cord.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Heavier duty: Titan SurvivorCord XT 750
Best for: Bigger loads within cord limits, like tarp ridgelines
Titan lists Type IV cord rated over 1,000 lb with a waxed jute fire strand, 25 lb braided fishing line and 110 lb aramid thread, made in the USA.
Watch out: Thicker and heavier than 550 cord; still not life-safety rope.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Questions people ask
- What does 550 mean on paracord?
- It is the tensile strength in pounds; Atwood lists 550 lb (249 kg).
- Can paracord be used for climbing?
- No; the ratings are breaking strengths, not life-safety ratings.
- How many strands are inside 550 paracord?
- Atwood's 550 cord has a 7-strand core inside the sheath.
- How much paracord should I keep in a kit?
- 50 to 100 ft is easy to carry; Atwood lists 8 oz per 100 ft of 550 cord.
Sources
- 550 Paracord, Atwood Rope MFG
- 1100 Paracord, Atwood Rope MFG
- Black SurvivorCord 550 Paracord, Titan Paracord
- SurvivorCord XT 750 Paracord, Titan Paracord