How long is a tug of war rope?
Officials' detail · Teams and equipment · 1 of 2Checked 15 October 2026
The rope is 36 m long and 100 to 125 mm round, with no knots. Outdoors it carries five tapes, the centre and two each side; indoors three. Outdoors teams pull on level grass with a centre line, indoors on a mat about 36 m long and a metre wide.
How it works
- Length: 36 m.
- Size: 100 to 125 mm round.
- Knots: none.
- Outdoor tapes: five.
- Indoor tapes: three.
- Outer tapes: grip limit.
- Outdoor ground: level grass.
- Indoor mat: 100 to 120 cm wide.
The glossary has the rope, the rope markings, the pulling area, the rope grip, the outdoor and indoor tug of war and the judge.
Tricky cases
The rope stretches. What happens?
The judge adjusts the tapes.
Can pullers hold inside the outer tapes?
No.
Is the indoor surface special?
It must be TWIF-approved for grip.
How far must the rope travel indoors?
The middle marker past a side line, 4 m out.
Why the rule exists
The tapes fix how far the rope must travel, so every pull is the same contest.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rope | 36 m | L R 9.1 |
| Outdoor tapes | Five | L R 9.2 |
| Indoor mat | 100 to 120 cm | L R 10 |
From the rule book
Tug of War International Federation (TWIF), Rules Manual (2026), rules 9, 10, 11 and 19. Checked 15 October 2026. Official document: TWIF Rules Manual 2026.