Guides

How to tie a tie: four knots, step by step

Four tie knots explained clearly — from the simple four-in-hand to the Windsor, and which collar each one suits.

The simple knot (four-in-hand)

The four-in-hand is the knot most people mean when they say “tying a tie”. It comes out slightly asymmetrical, which makes it look less severe than its larger relatives.

Drape the tie around your neck so the wide end hangs about 30 cm lower than the narrow one. Take the wide end once over the narrow end, then underneath, then over again. Now push it up through the neck loop from below and down through the knot you have just formed. Hold the knot and pull the narrow end until it sits.

Suits: narrow and medium collars. On a medium-width tie it produces a compact, slightly elongated knot.

The half Windsor

More symmetrical than the four-in-hand, but far slimmer than the full Windsor. For most occasions it is the most sensible compromise.

Lay the wide end over the narrow one, bring it up through the neck loop and down to the right. Now pass it behind the narrow end to the left, lay it across the front of the knot, up through the neck loop once more and finally down through the loop you have created.

Suits: most collar shapes. The standard knot for working life.

The Windsor

The widest of the four, triangular and symmetrical. It needs more fabric than the other knots, so shorter ties may leave you short.

The Windsor is formed by passing the wide end through the neck loop once on each side before the knot itself is tied. That is what creates the characteristic triangular shape.

Suits: wide collars (spread and cutaway). On a narrow collar it looks crowded.

The cross knot

A slim knot that sits slightly at an angle, with a visible crossing at the front. It looks deliberately made and it gets noticed — which is either the point or a mistake, depending on the occasion.

It works particularly well in thin, smooth silk, because it layers several thicknesses on top of one another. On very thick ties it turns shapeless.

Suits: narrow collars, social occasions.

How much length is left?

Whichever knot you use: the tip of the tie should touch the belt buckle or just cover it. Ending above it makes the silhouette look compressed; hanging below it looks careless.

If you are very tall, or you prefer the Windsor, allow more length on the wide side when you put the tie on.