What is a cable tie? What are cable ties? Cable ties (also commonly known as a “zip tie”, “tie wrap”,or “hose tie”) are types of fasteners for holding items together, primarily electrical cables and wires. Because of their low cost, ease of use, and excellent binding strength, cable ties are ubiquitous, finding use in a wide range of other applications. The common cable tie, normally made of nylon, has a flexible tape section with teeth that engage with a pawl in the head to form a ratchet so that as the free end of the tape section is pulled the cable tie tightens and does not come undone. Below you will find a wide variety of cable ties in all most popular formats: