Magnetic　skyrmions　and　hopfions　are　topological　solitons1—well-localized　field　configurations　that　have　gained　considerable　attention　over　the　past　decade　owing　to　their　unique　particle-like　properties,　which　make　them　promising　objects　for　spintronic　applications.　Skyrmions2,3　are　two-dimensional　solitons　resembling　vortex-like　string　structures　that　can　penetrate　an　entire　sample.　Hopfions4–9　are　three-dimensional　solitons　confined　within　a　magnetic　sample　volume　and　can　be　considered　as　closed　twisted　skyrmion　strings　that　take　the　shape　of　a　ring　in　the　simplest　case.　Despite　extensive　research　on　magnetic　skyrmions,　the　direct　observation　of　magnetic　hopfions　is　challenging10　and　has　only　been　reported　in　a　synthetic　material11.　Here　we　present　direct　observations　of　hopfions　in　crystals.　In　our　experiment,　we　use　transmission　electron　microscopy　to　observe　hopfions　forming　coupled　states　with　skyrmion　strings　in　B20-type　FeGe　plates.　We　provide　a　protocol　for　nucleating　such　hopfion　rings,　which　we　verify　using　Lorentz　imaging　and　electron　holography.　Our　results　are　highly　reproducible　and　in　full　agreement　with　micromagnetic　simulations.　We　provide　a　unified　skyrmion–hopfion　homotopy　classification　and　offer　insight　into　the　diversity　of　topological　solitons　in　three-dimensional　chiral　magnets.　©　2023,　The　Author(s).