Kite flyer guiding line from a red reel

Kite Line Types: Materials, Strengths and What to Use

Kite line comes in two ways of sorting: by what it is made of (nylon, polyester, Spectra and others) and by how many lines your kite uses (one, two or four). For a typical single line kite flown by a kid or a family, a braided synthetic line rated for your kite is the right answer. For steerable sport kites, you want a low-stretch line such as Spectra. This guide explains the difference so you can buy the right line once.

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TL;DR

  • Braided synthetic line (polyester, nylon or Spectra) is the standard today. Cotton is mostly history.
  • Nylon stretches the most, polyester less, and Spectra (UHMWP) and Kevlar the least. Less stretch means more precise control on stunt kites.
  • Single line kites fly on one line. Dual line kites steer with two. Power kites can add brake lines or use four.
  • Match the line’s rated strength to your kite and wind, and remember that every knot weakens the line.
  • Skip fishing line and never use metal wire.

Table of Contents

Quick summary

Kite line types fall into two groups. By material: nylon, polyester, UHMWP (Spectra and Dyneema) and Kevlar. By setup: single line, dual line and multi-line. Choose by kite type first, then by strength rating, then by length. Beginners with a toy delta or diamond kite are best served by a pre-wound, braided line that comes with the kite or a spool in a matching strength.

What’s in this guide

  • Line types by material
  • Line types by number of lines
  • How to choose strength and length
  • Lines to avoid
  • Our perspective
  • Where to find kites and gear
  • Recommended reads
  • FAQ
  • Sources

Kite line types by material

The American Kitefliers Association’s beginner guide notes that braided and twisted synthetic lines, including nylon, polyester and Spectra, are what people fly with, and that braided synthetic line is the line of choice today. Cotton line was common in the past, but it is heavier, absorbs moisture and has largely been replaced.

The real difference between materials is stretch. According to a breakdown from the Sport Kite community, nylon stretches roughly 20%, polyester about 14%, and UHMWP and Kevlar about 3.5%.

Material Approximate stretch Best for
Nylon About 20% Casual single line flying where a little give is fine
Polyester About 14% General kite flying, a step up in control
UHMWP (Spectra, Dyneema) About 3.5% Dual and quad line sport kites, precise control
Kevlar About 3.5% Specialty uses, where very low stretch matters

Nylon and polyester

These are the everyday choices. Stretch acts like a shock absorber in gusts, which is forgiving when you are learning with a simple kite. Polyester gives a bit more directness. For a child’s delta or diamond kite on a hand reel, either works well.

Spectra and other UHMWP lines

UHMWP stands for ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. Spectra and Dyneema are brand names. The same source calls it the standard for sport kites because of its strength, light weight and low stretch of about 3.5%. When you move a stunt kite, the kite responds almost immediately, which is the point of using it. Spectra kite line is thin for its strength, so it also causes less drag in the air.

UHMWP kite line strength, weight and stretch

The tradeoff: thin, slick line can cut skin if it runs through bare hands, so gloves matter more than with fat nylon.

Kite line types by number of lines

How many lines you fly changes how you control the kite. Prism Kites’ flying basics page describes the setups this way:

  • Single line: one line, and the kite generally flies steadily without constant input. This is what most toy kites and kids’ kites use.
  • Dual line: one line in each hand, and you steer left and right by pulling one side. Stunt kites use this layout.
  • Brake lines and quad line: power kites may add brake lines for finer control, or convert to quad-line control.

If you are choosing a first kite, a single line is the easiest to learn. Our guide on how to fly a kite for beginners and families walks through launching it. If you are still choosing a shape, see delta vs. parafoil kites, since the kite type often decides the line you need.

How to choose line strength and length

How to choose line strength and length — overview diagram

Line is sold by break strength, in pounds. The AKA guide says common ratings include 20, 30, 50 and 80 lb, and that you need a break strength suited to your particular kite and wind conditions. A small kid’s kite does not need 80 lb line. A large kite in strong wind does not belong on 20 lb.

Two practical rules:

  1. Leave a safety margin. Our deeper piece on kite line strength and the 2 to 3× safety factor explains how to pick a rating above the pull you expect.
  2. Watch your knots. The AKA guide states that every knot creates a weak spot that can reduce the rated break strength by 15% to 50%. Use as few knots as you can, and replace line with a bad kink or fray instead of tying over it.

For length, keep your line shorter than the distance to the nearest obstacle. The same guide says to stay clear of power lines, roads, airports and other people. Wind range also matters: we cover it in which wind speeds suit toy kites.

Lines to avoid

  • Monofilament fishing line. The AKA says it is a poor choice because it is hard to see, can cut hands, does not hold knots well, stretches and tangles easily.
  • Metal wire. It conducts electricity, which makes it a severe safety hazard, and it is unsuitable for recreational or sport kites.

The same safety guidance says to never fly in stormy weather, and to wear gloves to prevent line burns. If you are heading to the shore, our beach kite flying guide covers setup in open, windy areas.

Our perspective

Most parents who write to us are not choosing between Spectra and Kevlar. They have a child, a free afternoon and a kite that came with a spool of string. Our view is simple: the line is the part people forget, and it is the part that fails first.

We suggest three habits. Keep the line matched to the kite instead of reusing whatever is in the drawer. Check it for frays and kinks before each flight, especially near the kite end where it works hardest. And do not make it longer than the open space around you. A lighter, correctly rated braided line beats a heavy one that tangles.

As a family-run toy shop, we would rather you fly safely twice than buy a bigger kite and fly it once.

— Thane Holland

Where to find kites and gear

If you want to browse more toys for outdoor play while you shop for a kite, Toylandeu™ carries a catalog of more than 30,000 toy items with free worldwide shipping. Start at the Toylandeu™ homepage to search for kites, or browse our RC toys if your family wants something that flies without a string.

FAQ

What is the best kite line for beginners?

A braided synthetic line, such as polyester or nylon, rated for your kite’s size. It is easy to handle, forgiving in gusts and widely used on single line kites. Choose a strength recommended for your kite instead of the heaviest option.

Do kites have parallel lines?

Some do. Dual line and quad line kites use two or four lines that run side by side from your hands to the kite, so you can steer. Single line kites use just one. See the setup section above for how each layout controls the kite.

What is a delta-shaped kite?

A delta kite is triangular. According to the AKA guide, it can adjust to changes in wind and suits both beginners and experienced fliers. Common shapes also include flat, bowed, figure, Rokkaku and cellular or box kites.

Can I use fishing line to fly a kite?

It is not a good idea. Fishing line is hard to see, can cut hands, does not hold knots well, stretches and is prone to tangles. Use a braided kite line made for the job.

Sources

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