What paracord does the military use?
Christopher Ramos
Updated on May 05, 2026
Don't confuse 550 cord with 550 Parachute Cord (the official product used by the United States Military). The military designation MIL-C-5040 Type III has a rated strength of 550 lbs and is the actual cord used in the construction of United States Military.
What's the difference between 550 and 750 paracord?
750 Paracord is the strongest tactical paracord available. It is dependable, tough and long lasting. Slightly thicker than our 550 cord, 750 paracord is 26% stronger than 550 cord. It is used for countless projects such as belts, leashes, emergencies, and heavier duty projects.What is the difference between Type 3 and Type 4 paracord?
A type III paracord is commonly referred to as a “550 paracord”. With seven to nine core yarns, type III has either a 32/1 or 36/1 sheath structure. This is an ideal choice for the majority of survival tasks. Type IV is a very strong cord, with a minimum strength of 750 pounds and a minimum of 165 feet per pound.What are the 4 types of paracord?
We know four general types of paracord:
- Type I. Type I paracord holds 95 lbs and is has 1 core strand. ...
- Type II. Type II paracord holds 400 lbs and has 4-7 core strands. ...
- Type III. Type III cord holds 550 lbs and has 7-9 core strands. ...
- Type IV. Type IV paracord holds 750 lbs and has 11 core strands.
What is the strongest type of paracord?
ParaMax is the newest and strongest in the world of "paracord". With a tensile strength of 1000+ pounds and a diameter of 1/4" (6mm), it acts more as a very high quality rope than paracord. Like paracord, ParaMax is made from the same 100% nylon fibers which give it a great "soft" feel and a nice clean look.[74] Paracord 550 - Difference Between Military 5040 Type III and Commercial Grade
How strong is 750 paracord?
750 PARACORD — Type IV paracord is made of 100% Nylon with 11 inner multipurpose strands and a tensile strength of 750 lbs (26% stronger than 550 paracord) with a diameter of 5mm.Can 550 paracord really hold 550 lbs?
550 cord is paracord that can hold a static 550 lbs. This is the most common type of paracord. It is often called Type III paracord.Why is it called 550 paracord?
Types of ParacordFor example, the most commonly used "Paracord Type III" is also called "550 Paracord" because it has a breaking load of 550 lbs. (249 kg). In addition to Type III, Type II is also widely used for more elegant knotwork and 'Type I' and 'Micro' are often used as an accessory cord.