The paper investigates the elastic properties of carbon nanotubes and nanoropes using an empirical force-constant model. The study reveals that the elastic moduli of single and multi-wall nanotubes are insensitive to structural details such as helicity, tube radius, and number of layers. The Young's modulus and shear modulus of nanotubes are comparable to those of diamond, while the bulk modulus is smaller. Single-wall nanotubes exhibit high tensile stiffness, flexibility, and lightweight properties. Multi-wall nanotubes show that elastic properties are largely independent of the number of layers. Crystalline nanoropes composed of single-wall nanotubes are highly anisotropic, with the basal plane being soft and the axial direction stiff. The large Young's modulus and flexibility of nanoropes make them ideal for nanometer-scale engineering applications.The paper investigates the elastic properties of carbon nanotubes and nanoropes using an empirical force-constant model. The study reveals that the elastic moduli of single and multi-wall nanotubes are insensitive to structural details such as helicity, tube radius, and number of layers. The Young's modulus and shear modulus of nanotubes are comparable to those of diamond, while the bulk modulus is smaller. Single-wall nanotubes exhibit high tensile stiffness, flexibility, and lightweight properties. Multi-wall nanotubes show that elastic properties are largely independent of the number of layers. Crystalline nanoropes composed of single-wall nanotubes are highly anisotropic, with the basal plane being soft and the axial direction stiff. The large Young's modulus and flexibility of nanoropes make them ideal for nanometer-scale engineering applications.