How to work out what length bungee cord you need

Pick a cord about two thirds of the distance you need to span.

A bungee cord only works when it is stretched. Choose one that matches the span exactly and it does nothing; choose one far too short and you cannot hook it, or you stretch it to the point where it is about to fail.

Measure the distance from anchor point to anchor point, following the path the cord will actually take over the load rather than a straight line. Then choose a cord roughly two thirds of that length. That gives you somewhere around 30 to 50 percent stretch, which is where these cords hold well and last.

So a 30-inch span wants a cord around 20 inches. A 48-inch span wants something near 32 inches. Cords are sold by their relaxed length, hook to hook, so measure a cord you already own the same way before comparing.

Two shorter cords crossed over a load will almost always hold better than one long one stretched to its limit, and they fail more gracefully. Check the cord before every use: any splitting of the outer sleeve, any exposed rubber strands or any deformed hook means it is finished. Never stretch a cord toward your face, and never use bungee cords as the primary restraint on anything heavy.

Part of the Stalwart guides. See all guides.