The necktie isn’t obsolete. You might not wear one all that often these days, but some events still require a tie. It’s a sad fact, but there are grown men who don’t know how to tie a tie. If they have a big interview that afternoon, they’ll go shopping for a clip-on. Even if a man does know how to tie a tie, their knowledge is often limited to just one necktie knot.
But there are several ways to tie a tie. Certain necktie knots should be used with certain shirt collars and tie fabric materials to get the best results for your appearance. Below, we show you three classic necktie knots every man should know and give you the lowdown on when you should use them.
I’ve created videos for each tie knot and also one giant video with them all together. To make it easier for you to follow along with the instructions, I’ve flipped the images. So when you’re watching the video, my right is the same as your right and my left is the same as your left. These videos are from 2009. They’re still good, so I’ve kept them. You get to see me when I was fresh faced and without a mustache.
Looking to tie a bow tie? Check out our How to Tie a Bow Tie Guide
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How to Tie the Four-In-Hand Tie Knot
Also known as the “schoolboy,” this is probably the most widely used tie knot because it’s so easy to tie. It’s a good tie knot to use if your tie is made of heavier material. It looks best with smaller spread collars.
1. Drape the tie around your neck. The wide end should extend about 12 inches below the narrow end of the tie. Cross the wide part of the tie over the narrow end.
2. Turn the wide end back underneath the narrow end.
3. Continue wrapping the wide end around the narrow end by bringing it across the front of the narrow end again.
4. Pull the wide end up and through the back of the loop.
5. Hold the front of the tie knot with your index finger and bring the wide end down through the front knot.
6. Tighten the knot carefully to the gills by holding the narrow end N and sliding the knot up. Center the knot.
Check out the illustrated guide as well:
How to Tie the Half-Windsor Tie Knot
This is the Windsor Tie knot’s little brother. Like the Windsor, you’re left with a symmetrical triangle tie knot, but the Half Windsor is not as large. This tie knot is appropriate for lighter fabrics and wider ties. It’s best worn with a standard collar.
1. Drape the tie around your neck. The wide end should extend about 12 inches below the narrow end of the tie. Cross the wide part of the tie over the narrow end.
2. Bring the wide end around and behind the narrow end.
3. Bring the wide end up and pull it down through the hole between your collar and tie.
4. Bring the wide end around the front, over the narrow end from right to left.
5. Bring the wide end up back through the loop again.
6. Pull the wide end down through the knot in front.
7. Tighten the necktie knot and center it with both hands.
Check out the illustrated guide as well:
How to Tie the Full Windsor Tie Knot
The Windsor necktie knot gives you a wide triangular tie knot that’s good for more formal settings. This tie knot is best worn with a wide spread collar. It's also known as the "Eton knot" because it's the tie knot used by students at Eton.
1. Drape the tie around your neck. The wide end should extend about 12 inches below the narrow end of the tie. Cross the wide part of the tie over the narrow end.
2. Bring the wide end of the tie up through the hole between your collar and the tie. Then pull it down toward the front.
3. Bring the wide end behind the narrow end and to the right.
4. Pull the wide end back through the loop again. You should have a triangle now where the necktie knot will be.
5. Wrap the wide end around the triangle by pulling the wide end from right to left.
6. Bring the wide end up through the loop a third time.
7. Pull the wide end through the knot in front.
8. Tighten the knot and center it with both hands.
How to Tie The Shelby Tie Knot
The Shelby knot is a more obscure knot and was popularized by anchorman Don Shelby in the 1970's. It works best with wider ties that are made from heavier material.
1. Start with the tie draped inside out around your neck, wide end on the right.
2. Bring the wide end under the narrow end.
3. Bring the wide end up and pull it down through the loop between your neck and your tie. After you pull the wide end all the way through, bring it to the left.
4. Bring the wide end over the knot to the right.
5. Pull the wide end up through the loop between your neck and your tie.
6. Thread the wide end through the knot and pull tight. Center as needed.
How to Tie the Simple (Oriental) Necktie Knot
What is the easiest tie knot?
The four-in-hand is definitely the easiest.
What is the easiest tie knot for beginners?
Again, the four-in-hand.
What is the fanciest tie knot?
Full Windsor is usually considered the most formal or fanciest tie knot.
Which tie knot is best?
The best tie knot is the one right for the type of shirt you're wearing and for the occasion. Less formal, go with four-in-hand. More formal, go with a half or full Windsor.
How long should a tie hang?
Right above the belt buckle. Check out our visual guide on wear a tie should hang.
What's the best tie knot for a wedding?
Since the wedding is a formal event, go with a full Windsor.
What is an "eton tie knot?"
It's the same thing as a Windsor knot.
