Wire rope
（重定向自Special Wire Rope）
![Steel wire rope (right hand lay)](/Images/godic/202502/12/Steel_wire_rope0504.png")
![Inside view of a wind turbine tower, showing the wire ropes used as tendons.](/Images/godic/202502/12/WKA_spannglieder0504.jpg")
![Left-hand ordinary lay (LHOL) wire rope (close-up). Right-hand lay strands are laid into a left-hand lay rope.](/Images/godic/202502/12/Lhol_wire_rope0504.jpg")
![Right-hand Lang's lay (RHLL) wire rope (close-up). Right-hand lay strands are laid into a right-hand lay rope.](/Images/godic/202502/12/Rhll_wire_rope0504.jpg")
Wire rope is a type of cable which consists of several strands of metal wire laid (twisted) into a helix. The term cable is often used interchangeably with wire rope. However, in general, "wire rope" refers to diameter larger than 3/8 inch (9.52 mm). Sizes smaller than this are designated cable or cords. Initially wrought iron wires were used, but today steel is the main material used for wire ropes.