Oct 26, 2026News & Insights
US Type vs DIN 741 Wire Rope Clip: Which Standard?
Both clamp a rope between a U-bolt and a saddle, but they are made differently and sized in different systems. How to choose the right wire rope clip for your rope and market.
Two clips do the same job on a wire rope, but they come from different standards. The US type clip and the DIN 741 clip both clamp a rope between a U-bolt and a saddle, and either will hold a well-made eye. The difference is what they are made from and how they are sized - and for most buyers that points to the market they serve.
What Both Clips Do
A wire rope clip, also called a U-bolt clamp, forms an eye or loop in wire rope, or joins two ropes. It clamps the rope between a U-bolt and a saddle, holding the termination under load. Both the US type and the DIN 741 work the same way; what changes is the material and the standard behind them, not the principle.
The US Type: Drop Forged Steel
The US type clip is drop forged steel: the steel is worked while hot into the U-bolt and saddle, the standard way of making a clip for North American practice. US type clips are sized in inches, and are supplied in the natural finish, with galvanized versions available on request.
The DIN 741: Malleable Iron
The DIN 741 clip is malleable iron: cast and then heat treated to give it ductility, so the clip can take the tightening needed to hold without being brittle. DIN 741 clips are sized in millimetres, following the German standard, and also come in the natural finish, with galvanized versions available on request.
What the Choice Comes Down To
Both clips do the same job, and both are supplied across a range of rope diameters, so the reason to choose one over the other is usually the rope you are using and the standard your market expects. Put simply: where ropes and customers work in inches - North American practice - the US type is the familiar choice; where they work in millimetres and follow DIN standards, the DIN 741 is the one to use. When ordering, tell us the rope diameter, the clip type and the quantity, and the size can be confirmed from the table.
Fitting and Inspection
Whichever type you use, the fitting rules are the same. The saddle - not the U-bolt - goes on the load-bearing side of the rope; the number and spacing of clips follow the rope diameter; and the nuts are re-tightened after the rope has been loaded once. Before use, check for a bent U-bolt, a cracked saddle, damaged threads or a clip that will not hold, and replace a damaged clip rather than repairing it. The full rules for making off an eye, with the thimbles that line it, are in our wire rope clip vs thimble guide. For overhead lifting, use components rated and assembled for the lift.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a US type and a DIN 741 wire rope clip?
The US type is a drop forged steel clip sized in inches; the DIN 741 is a malleable iron clip sized in millimetres. Both clamp the rope between a U-bolt and a saddle.
Which clip should I choose?
Usually the one that matches your rope and your market: the US type where ropes and practice work in inches, and the DIN 741 where they are metric. Tell us the rope diameter and the type, and the size can be confirmed.
Are both types available in galvanized?
Yes. Both come in the natural finish, with galvanized versions on request. Tell us where the termination will be used - weather, moisture or marine - and the finish can be confirmed.
Boyuan Metal supplies wire rope clips in the US type and DIN 741 forms, along with wire rope, thimbles, shackles and the fittings that complete a termination. Tell us the rope diameter, the clip type and the quantity, and we will confirm the size.