Lay direction of strand: The direction right (R) or left (L) corresponding to the direction of lay of the outer layer of wires in relation to the longitudinal axis of the strand.

Lay direction of rope: The direction right (R) or left (L) corresponding to the direction of lay of the outer strands in relation to the longitudinal axis of a stranded rope or the direction of lay of the outer wires in relation to the longitudinal axis of a spiral rope.

Regular lay: Stranded rope in which the direction of lay of the wires in the outer strands is in the opposite direction to the lay of the outer strands in the rope. Right Regular Lay is designated RRL and Left Regular Lay is designated LRL.

Note: This type of lay is sometimes referred to as 'ordinary' lay.

Lang lay: Stranded rope in which the direction of lay of the wires in the outer strands is the same as that of the outer strands in the rope. Right Lang Lay is designated RLL and Left Lang lay is designated LLL.

Alternate lay:  Stranded rope in which the lay of the outer strands is alternatively Lang lay and Regular lay. Right hand alternate lay is designated RAL and left hand alternate lay is designated LAL.

Contra-lay: Rope in which at least one layer of wires in a spiral rope or one layer of strands in a stranded rope is laid in the opposite direction to the other layer(s) of wires or strands respectively.

Note: Contra-lay is only possible in spiral ropes having more than one layer of wires and in multi-layer stranded ropes.

Rope lay length (Stranded Rope): That distance parallel to the axis of the rope in which the outer strands make one complete turn (or helix) about the axis of the rope.