Wire Rope Clip Size Chart — Number of Clips, Turnback Length & Torque

Reference manual hosted for technician access. 1 pages.

Brand

EN 13411-5 / FF-C-450

Equipment

Wire rope clip (U-bolt grip) termination

Document type

Dimensional reference

Revision

EN 13411-5

Issued

2026-06-15

Pages

Format

PDF (application/pdf)

Wire rope clip (U-bolt grip) size chart: minimum number of clips, rope turnback length and bolt-nut tightening torque by rope diameter from 1/8 in to 1 in, with notes on fitting clips correctly (saddle on the live end), re-torquing after load, and clip selection for 6x19 and 6x36 class rope. Follows the Crosby G-450 application data and the installation requirements of EN 13411-5 and US Federal Specification FF-C-450.

Wire rope clip size chart (1/8 in to 1 in)

A wire rope clip, or U-bolt grip, forms an eye or termination by clamping the rope tail back against the live part of the rope. The minimum number of clips, the length of rope turned back, and the bolt-nut tightening torque are set by the rope diameter. The values below follow the Crosby G-450 forged-clip application data and the installation requirements of EN 13411-5 and US Federal Specification FF-C-450, for 6x19 and 6x36 class rope. A correctly fitted set develops about 80% of the rope breaking force below 1 in diameter and about 90% at 1 in and above.

Rope diameter (in)	Minimum number of clips	Turnback length (in)	Torque (ft-lb)
1/8	2	3-1/4	4.5
3/16	2	3-3/4	7.5
1/4	2	4-3/4	15
5/16	2	5-1/4	30
3/8	2	6-1/2	45
7/16	2	7	65
1/2	3	11-1/2	65
9/16	3	12	95
5/8	3	12	95
3/4	4	18	130
1	5	26	225

Torque values assume a clean, lightly oiled thread. For rope diameters above 1 in, add clips and increase the turnback length per the clip manufacturer’s table for that size, and confirm against the controlling standard before use.

Fitting the clips correctly

Saddle on the live end — fit each clip with the U-bolt over the dead (tail) end and the saddle (the base, with the nuts) on the live (load) end. The guiding rule is “never saddle a dead horse”.
First clip — fit the first clip one saddle-width from the thimble or turned-back loop, U-bolt over the tail, and tighten the nuts evenly to the table torque.
Second clip — fit the next clip as close as possible to the thimble or loop, leaving room to turn the nuts; take up the slack but do not fully tighten yet.
Remaining clips — space the rest evenly between the first two, then tighten all nuts to the table torque, working alternately so each clip is loaded evenly.
Re-torque after loading — apply the working load, then check and re-tighten every nut to the table torque. Wire rope seats and reduces in diameter under first load, which slackens the clips; re-check periodically in service.

Selecting clips

Match the clip size to the nominal rope diameter — a clip is sized for one rope diameter and must not be used on a larger or smaller rope. Use the minimum number of clips shown for that diameter; using fewer reduces the holding efficiency of the termination. The counts above are for right or left regular lay (RRL/LRL) 6x19 or 6x36 class rope, fibre core or IWRC. Rotation-resistant rope and very smooth or plastic-coated rope may need additional clips — follow the rope and clip manufacturer’s instructions for those constructions.

Values are nominal and provided for identification and cross-reference. Confirm against the controlling standard and the clip manufacturer’s current instructions before making a load-bearing termination.

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Reference compiled for identification and cross-reference. Dimensions are nominal; confirm against the controlling EN 13411-5 / FF-C-450 EN 13411-5 revision and the specific component data sheets before manufacture or procurement. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.