This is the perfect fashion guide that answers the question: "how to tie a tie?". In this article, we give you a quick and easy way on how to tie a tie and three alternative ways for the fancy finish. We've also added a nice visual guide on how long your tie should be.
A poorly done knot is something that nobody likes to see. We are here to make sure you look as classy as possible. Read our list of the four most common ways to tie a tie.
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Four In Hand - The Most Common One
This is a quick and simple way:
This is the quickest, simplest and most common way to tie a tie.
1. The good side of the tie facing forward, place the tie on your neck, so that both sides are on your front, the wide end hanging on your left side. Grab the wide (left) end and move it over the narrow (right) end.
2. Once you´ve crossed the different ends, move the wide end of the tie back to its original side by moving it under the narrow end.
3. Now continue the spinning motion by moving the wide end over the narrow end, exactly like you did in the first step, creating a loophole on the front of the tie for part 5.
4. Pull the wide end from under the neck loop all the way up so that it easily touches your nose.
5. Take the wide end and put it through the loophole you have created at the front of the tie. Pull it all the way down and tighten the knot.
To adjust the tie, grab the knot with your other hand and the narrow end of the tie with the other and adjust accordingly.
Here is a quick visual guide to making sure your tie length is correct:
The lowest point of your tie should be around your belt height. Any taller or shorter than your belt height is considered to be "not on point". If you feel that your tie is too long or short to reach your belt, take the tie off and try tying it again with a different length of the cravat on your right side. It is highly unlikely that your tie is not of suitable length for you.
If you are looking for other ways to make a tie, keep reading. We will list a few lesser used, but still common, ways to answer your initial question, how to tie a tie.
Windsor Knot - The Symmetrical One
This one requires more steps to carry out than the four in hand. It provides excellent symmetry and a fairly large knot when done correctly. Follow the easy steps to make the perfect Windsor.
1. The good side of the tie facing forward, place the tie on your neck, both sides on your front and the wide end hanging on your left side. Grab the wide (left) end and move it over the narrow (right) end.
2. Pull the wide end up and through the loop.
3. Bring the wide end back down and to your right
4. Swing the wide end from right to your left side, beneath the narrow end.
5. Now lift the wide end up to the center, towards the neck loop.
6. Push it through the neck loop down to your left.
7. Move the wide end over the narrow end to your right side, creating a loophole for part 9.
8. Pull it up and through the neck loop.
9. Now finish the tie by bringing it back down and through the loophole.
Congratulations, you have successfully made a Windsor knot. Keep scrolling if you would like to see more variations.
Half Windsor Knot - The Average One
This one looks great and provides a bit less symmetry than a full Windsor. It also provides a slightly smaller knot. Half Windsor is a commonly known method and can get quite tricky to do properly. It is not fully symmetrical but still provides some symmetry. It isn't hard to do, but it isn't easy. The knot is also fairly average size, hence the average one.
1. The good side of the tie facing forward, place the tie on your neck, both sides on your front and the wide end hanging on your left side. Grab the wide (left) end and move it over the narrow (right) end.
2. Once you have crossed both ends, move the wide end back to its original side by moving it under the narrow end.
3. Now lift the wide end up to the center, towards the neck loop.
4. Push it through the neck loop down to your left.
5. Swing the wide end over to your right side, creating a loophole for part 7.
6. Pull it all the way up through the neck loop.
7. Finish it by bringing the wide end down through the loop.
Congratulations, you have successfully made yourself a half Windsor knot. When done correctly, it should produce a nice dimple right in the middle of the tie just beneath the knot.
Pratt Knot (Shelby Knot) - The One With Two Names
This knot provides better symmetry than the half Windsor, but still not as symmetrical as the Windsor knot. It also has a bit smaller knot than the half Windsor. When done properly, you should see a dimple just below the knot.
1. The wrong side of the tie facing forward, place the tie on your neck, both sides on your front and the wide end hanging on your left side. Grab the wide end and move it, beneath the narrow end, to your right side.
2. Now bring the wide end up towards your chin.
3. Push it through the neck loop back to your right side.
4. Bring the wide end over the narrow end to your left side, creating a loop for part 6.
5. Pull it up and through the neck loop.
6. Finish the knot by bringing the wide end down through the loop.
At this point, you should have a beautiful, elegant pratt knot decorating your outfit. If this was easy for you, next try tying a tie without our instructions and complete all four knots.
With our instructions, you now should master the four most common ways to tie a knot. If you think that you can't remember these, try favoriting this page in your browser for a quick link to our instructions. You never know when the need comes for something other than the usual four in hand.
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