How to Tie a Tie: Four Knots Every Man Should Know

If you only learn one way to tie a tie, make it this one. The four-in-hand is the easiest knot, it’s slightly asymmetrical in a way that looks relaxed rather than sloppy, and it works with point collars, button-down collars and most ties, including heavier knits and wool.

1. Drape the tie around your neck, wide end on the right, hanging lower than the narrow end.
2. Cross the wide end over the front of the narrow end, from right to left.
3. Bring the wide end back underneath the narrow end, to the right.
4. Cross it over the front again, from right to left, so it wraps around the narrow end.
5. Bring the wide end up through the loop at your neck, from underneath.
6. Hold the front of the knot open with a finger and pass the wide end down through it.
7. Hold the narrow end and slide the knot up to your collar. Pinch a dimple just below the knot as you tighten.

That’s it. Four movements, a clean slim knot, and the one most men wear most days.

The half Windsor is a little fuller and more symmetrical than the four-in-hand, which makes it the natural choice for business shirts with a standard or semi-spread collar. It’s the knot to reach for at work, at a wedding, and anywhere a four-in-hand looks a touch casual.

1. Drape the tie around your neck, wide end on the right and hanging lower than the narrow end.
2. Cross the wide end over the narrow end, from right to left.
3. Bring the wide end around behind the narrow end, back to the right.
4. Bring the wide end up to the loop at your neck and pull it down through the loop, on the right side.
5. Cross the wide end over the front of the knot, from right to left.
6. Bring the wide end up through the loop at your neck, from underneath.
7. Pass it down through the front of the knot you’ve just made.
8. Tighten gently, slide the knot up and set the dimple.

The full Windsor and the double Windsor are the same knot under two names. It’s the largest and most symmetrical of the three: a broad, triangular knot that fills a wide spread or cutaway collar. Wear it with a formal shirt, a lighter or thinner silk tie (thick ties make it bulky), and an occasion that can carry it.

1. Drape the tie around your neck, wide end on the right, hanging well below the narrow end. The Windsor uses the most length.
2. Cross the wide end over the narrow end, from right to left.
3. Bring the wide end up through the loop at your neck from underneath, and pull it down on the left.
4. Bring the wide end around behind the narrow end, to the right.
5. Bring the wide end up and over the loop at your neck, and pull it down through the loop on the right.
6. Cross the wide end over the front of the knot, from right to left.
7. Bring the wide end up through the loop at your neck, from underneath.
8. Pass it down through the front of the knot.
9. Tighten slowly, keeping both sides even, and set the dimple.

If your full Windsor looks like a fist, the tie is too thick or the collar too narrow for it. Switch to a half Windsor and the problem goes away.

The knot should fill the space between the collar points without crowding them or leaving a gap.

• Point collar (narrow gap between the points): four-in-hand.
• Button-down collar: four-in-hand. A big knot fights the buttons.
• Semi-spread collar (the standard business shirt): half Windsor, or a four-in-hand with a thicker tie.
• Spread or cutaway collar: half Windsor or full Windsor.

Browse our shirts with the knot in mind: the collar decides more than most men realise.

The tip of the wide end should touch the top of your belt buckle, or the waistband of your trousers. Not above it, where it looks like it shrank, and not dangling below it.

Most ties are made at around 145 to 150 centimetres, which suits most men tying a four-in-hand or half Windsor. If you’re tall, have a longer torso, or prefer the full Windsor, look for an extra-long tie. The narrow end should never hang below the wide end; tuck it through the keeper loop on the back of the tie, or use a tie clip to hold everything in place.

Tie width

Match the tie’s width to your jacket lapels and the size of your build. A standard tie sits at around 7 to 8.5 centimetres at its widest, which works with most modern suits. Narrower ties suit slim lapels and slimmer frames; broader shoulders and wider lapels can take a wider tie.

The dimple. That small fold just below the knot is what makes a tie look deliberate. As you tighten, press your index finger into the centre of the tie just under the knot and pinch the sides around it, then slide the knot up. One dimple, centred. On very slim or knitted ties, skip it.

The pocket square. It shouldn’t match your tie exactly. Pick up one colour from the tie or shirt instead. Our pocket squares are the easiest way to add a little life to a plain suit.

Untie it properly. Reverse the steps rather than pulling the narrow end through. Hang it or roll it overnight and the creases fall out by morning.