What is manila rope and what are its best uses?

What Is Manila Rope?

Manila rope is one of the oldest and most well-known types of rope in the world. Dating back to ancient Egypt, it was primarily used for sailing because its durable construction made it excellent for holding strong, tight knots.

Manila rope is made from the abaca plant, a close relative of the banana plant native to the Philippines—the capital city Manila is the namesake for this rope type.

How Manila Rope Is Made

The abaca fiber gathering process is extremely labor-intensive:

• Each stalk must be sliced and hand-scraped
• Fibers are washed and dried
• Material is sent to a manufacturing plant to be spun into rope
• The finished rope is treated with light mineral oil for protection and to prevent brittleness

Manila vs. Hemp Rope

Manila rope is sometimes confused with hemp rope, but this is a misnomer. While the hemp plant is also used to create fabric and rope, manila rope is derived from a completely different plant.

Top Uses for Manila Rope

1. Nautical Rope Railings

One of the most popular reasons people purchase manila rope today is for its classic aesthetic in decorative projects. Many use manila for nautical-styled rope railings on decks and docks.

If you're interested in building your own rope railing, we recommend consulting our guide on choosing a rope for your rope railing.

Note on outdoor use: For outdoor applications, consider Promanila (also called Unmanila) instead. Its synthetic construction makes it weather-proof, UV resistant, and longer-lasting than natural manila.

2. Exercise & Fitness Applications

Many fitness enthusiasts use manila rope for:

• Gym climbing
• Tug-of-war
• Battle rope exercises

Due to its all-natural fiber construction, manila provides excellent grip even while sweating. If you prefer synthetic alternatives for these applications, consider our Polyester Battle Rope or Premium Braided Battle Rope.

3. Animal Safety Considerations

Manila rope is not recommended for use with animals because it is treated with mineral oil during production. If ingested, mineral oil can be harmful to pets.

Instead, we recommend:

• Sisal rope — a popular choice for cats and birds
• 100% cotton rope — ideal for dog rope toys

Both sisal and cotton are natural plant fibers that are safe if ingested by your pet.

Important Specifications Before Purchasing

Diameter Sizing

Manila rope's actual diameter is slightly oversized compared to the labeled size—this is common with all-natural plant fiber ropes. For example, a 2-inch diameter rope is actually closer to 2⅛ inches.

Shrinkage When Wet

Manila rope shrinks in length and expands in diameter when wet. The rope shrinks approximately 10-15% when wet for the first time as it absorbs water. Take this into account when calculating how much rope you'll need for your project.

Scent

Manila rope has a distinctive scent from the mineral oil treatment. After handling the rope for a while or leaving it outdoors for several days, this scent will gradually diminish.

Available Sizes

RightRope offers natural fiber manila rope in the following diameters:

1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 1", 1-1/4", 1-1/2", 2", and 3 inches

You can purchase manila rope by the foot, in pre-cut lengths, or in bulk to suit your project needs.