Aim To investigate the knowledge and practice of physical restraints (PR) among Jordanian intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. Design A descriptive, observational design was used. Methods A convenience sampling was used to recruit participants. We examined the knowledge of PR in 301 nurses (knowledge check) and the real‐time practice of PR in 81 nurses (direct observation) in ICU. A knowledge questionnaire was used to collect data on knowledge about PR use, and data on their practice of PR were observed and documented using an observation checklist. Results The mean scores of nurses' knowledge and practices were 61.5 ( SD = 12.1) and 57.4 ( SD = 9.7), respectively. More than half of nurses had poor knowledge of PR use and incorrect practice of implementing PR (51.5% and 60.5%, respectively). Results indicated a positive correlation between nurses' knowledge and their use of PR.