Abstract: A tensioning ratchet for tautening and holding tensioning means, such as webbings, extruded straps, ropes, chains and the like, includes a console, with a winding-on shaft, rotatably mounted in the console, which is formed by at least two direction reversal bars, delimiting a distance between one another, and with a tensioning lever for turning the winding-on shaft about an axis of rotation. The tensioning ratchet according to the invention withstands a higher load and enables high pre-tensioning forces to be applied while preventing inadmissible stress on the user. This is achieved by the fact that the position at least of the outer circumferential face of the direction reversal bars coming into contact with the tensioning means, is variable.