The Noose.
Several types of noose are in use worldwide. At its simplest, a noose is just a slip knot fashioned on a length of rope or strong cord. Nazi executioners used this pattern during World War II, typically made from 6-10 mm thick cord.
The traditional hangman's noose (picture) has from 5 to 13 coils which slide down the rope delivering a heavy blow to the side of the neck. This pattern was used in America and countries such as Iran and Iraq. The modern American coiled noose is prepared in accordance with a procedure laid down in a U.S. army manual, from 30 feet of 3/4"-1" diameter manila hemp rope, boiled to take out stretch and any tendency to coil. It is formed into six coils and then waxed, soaped or greased to assure that the knot slides easily. Generally the knot is placed under the prisoners left ear (the subaural position) as was seen in the photographs of Saddam Hussein.
Britain and most Commonwealth and ex-Commonwealth countries use(d) a simple noose consisting of a loop worked into one end of the rope with the other end passed through it, as shown here. In the 20th century the eyelet was typically placed below the angle of the jaw, (the submental position)
The noose was improved in the 1870's by William Marwood.He used a brass eyelet inside of the loop to allow the rope to run more freely and to avoid the need for lubrication with soap. The eyelet was initially held in place by a leather washer and later by a rubber one.This type of noose has been shown to cause a quicker death. It is usually made from a 13 foot length of 3/4" diameter hemp rope. Later, the part of the rope that would come into contact with neck was bound with leather, as seen here. This type of noose is used in present day Egypt, Kuwait, Singapore and Malaysia and in former British colonies. Modern materials such as Nylon have been tried but tended to be too elastic for long drop hangings.Iran uses nylon rope for its short drop/suspension hangings.

The hood.
In most countries, at least throughout the 20th century, it has been customary to hood the prisoner before execution. Normally, a black cotton or denim hood is used as shown here, but in some countries, notably Britain and its former colonies, a white linen or cotton hood was the norm as seen here. In South Africa and Australia a white hood was also used which was applied in the prisoner's cell, prior to them being led into the gallows chamber. Unlike the British version, it had a flap over the eyes which was only pulled down just before the drop. Typically, the prisoner is hooded only at the last moment before the noose is put round their neck and adjusted. Although they are able to see the gallows, the trap, the executioner and witnesses and the noose dangling before them, most countries found it to be better than hooding them earlier and trying to lead them to the gallows, as they were more frightened by not knowing what was happening. It is thought that Iraq, Malaysia and Singapore hood the prisoner before leading them to the execution chamber.
Some places, such as Iran, do not use a hood, although a blindfold may be used in some cases. There are three good reasons for hooding the prisoner. Firstly, in long drop hangings it is very important that the condemned person does not move at the last moment, just as the lever is being pulled - which could easily alter the position of the noose and thus cause them a slower death.
The second reason is to minimise rope burn and marking of the skin of the neck which is why the hood is generally put over the head before the noose. This also prevents the hood being blown off by the updraft created by the body falling.Hooding saves the officials, who have to witness the execution, from seeing the condemned person's face as they are about to die and after suspension.