How to Tie a Tie

Four in Hand Knot:

Four-in hand tie knots are among the easiest to do well, and they are quite common because of it. These knots are simply but can be asymmetrical.

• Step 1
• Step 2
• Step 3
• Step 4
• Step 5

• 1. While standing before a mirror, put the tie around your neck with the wide end in your right hand.

  

• 2. Next, wrap the right end all the way around the skinny end counter-clockwise until the pointed end is toward your left side 180 degrees.

  

• 3. It should look like this.

  

• 4. Next, pull that end up and underneath the rest of the tie.

  

• 5. Slide the wide end down through the top layer of the knot of tie and adjust.

  

Half Windsor Knot:

This knot is almost as common as the four-in-hand, but differs in that it is more symmetrical and bulkier.

• Step 1
• Step 2
• Step 3
• Step 4
• Step 5
• Step 6
• Step 7

• 1. Stand in the mirror with the wide end of the tie on your right side.

  

• 2. Next, wrap the right end all the way around the skinny end counter-clockwise until the pointed end is toward your left side 180 degrees.

  

• 3. Wrap that wide end up and over the knot with the front side showing.

  

• 4. Pull the wide end under the full knot, again pointed to the right with the back side showing.

  

• 5. Wrap the wide end around the front of the knot clockwise until it's pointed left and the front side shows.

  

• 6. Pull the wide end up and around the back of the knot.

  

• 7. Pull the wide end down and through the knot, under one layer of fabric. Adjust.

  

Full Windsor Knot:

The Full Windsor creates a larger knot than the Half Windsor and is considered more formal. These are ideal for thin, summery ties or suits with larger lapels and shirt collars.

• Step 1
• Step 2
• Step 3
• Step 4
• Step 5
• Step 6
• Step 7
• Step 8
• Step 9

• 1. With the wide end on your right and the skinny end around your neck to the left, wrap the wide end across the front of the skinny end.

  

• 2. Instead of finishing the loop, pull the wide end up and behind the skinny end such that the back side of the wide end is showing.

  

• 3. Pull that end across the front of the knot, pointed slightly to the left with the front side showing.

  

• 4. Wrap that wide end behind the skinny end counter-clockwise until the back end shows and the point is toward your right.

  

• 5. Pull the wide end up and over the knot, pointed upward.

  

• 6. Pull the wide end around and under the right side of the knot so the backside is showing, pointed to your right.

  

• 7. Wrap the wide end around the front clockwise.

  

• 8. Pull the side end up behind the knot.

  

• 9. Pull the front of the tie through the top layer of the knot and adjust.

  

Shell, Pratt or Shelby Knot:

This midsized knot is relatively easy to tie and lays symmetrically. It has a wide range of applications and less bulk than the Half Windsor.

• Step 1
• Step 2
• Step 3
• Step 4
• Step 5
• Step 6

• 1. Begin with the tie inside out around your neck, with the wide end on your right.

  

• 2. Wrap the wide end behind the skinny end and up.

  

• 3. Pull the wide end through the knot and tighten, such that both backsides of the tie are showing.

  

• 4. Wrap the wide end counter-clockwise in front of the knot until the front side is showing and the knot is pointed to your right.

  

• 5. Pull the wide end up behind the knot.

  

• 6. Pull that end through the front layer of the knot and tighten.