How to tie a tie in a Windsor, Half Windsor, and Four-in-Hand Knot

April 2024 · 5 minute read

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Whether you wear a suit to work every day or you just want to add some extra sophistication to your outfit, a necktie will elevate your look and earn you instant style points.

The most dapper guys might even suggest that the tie is the centerpiece of a man's look: The shirt collar folds around it, it covers the buttons, and the jacket lapels fall to either side of it to create a symmetrical, balanced ensemble.

Traditionally, ties are mostly worn by businessmen, lawyers or bankers, but this versatile accessory is making a comeback with younger men in diverse, creative professions. 

The selection of stylish ties is now more diverse, so you can find one to suit your taste. If you wear a suit to work, you'll need a few ties with small patterns and subtle colors.

It's also fun to play around with fabrics. Just as you wear lighter clothes in the warmer months, you can have a linen or a seersucker tie on hand for some great summer looks.

According to the experts at Brooks Brothers, there are three most popular knots that everyone should know how to tie.

The 3 most popular tie knots

We're going to start with the Four-in-Hand, since it's usually the knot most people learn to tie first and also requires fewer steps.

Keep scrolling to learn how to tie a tie in the 3 most popular knots:

How to tie a tie in the Four-in-Hand knot

Ties.com
  • Drape the tie around your neck with the wide end on your left side and the skinny end on your right.
  • Cross the left over the right side.
  • Bring the wide end under and back to the left.
  • Cross the wide end over again.
  • Pull the wide end through the neck loop.
  • Bring the wide end down through the neck loop
  • Tighten the knot.

    • Check out this video on how to tie a Four-in-Hand knot.

    How to tie a tie in the Windsor knot

    Ties.com
  • Drape the tie around your neck with the wide end on your left side and the skinny end on your right.
  • Cross the wide end over the skinny end.
  • Pull the wide end up through the neck loop.
  • Bring the wide end down and over to the right.
  • Take the wide and under and over to the left.
  • Bring the wide end up and through the neck loop.
  • Cross over the loop on the right to form the knot.
  • Bring the wide end up through the neck loop from below.
  • Pull the wide end through the loose knot.
  • Tighten the knot.

    • Check out this video on how to tie a Windsor knot.

    How to tie a tie in the Half Windsor knot

    Ties.com
  • Drape the tie around your neck with the wide end on your left side and the skinny end on your right.
  • Cross the wide end over the skinny end. 
  • Bring the wide end under the skinny end.
  • Bring the wide end up through the neck loop.
  • Take the wide end down and to the right side.
  • Bring the wide end up to the center and wrap it around to form the knot. 
  • Take the wide end through the neck loop and bring it down. 
  • Pass the pointed end down through the knot.
  • Tighten the knot.

    • Check out this video on how to tie a Half Windsor knot.

    Here are a few tie recommendations

    The Tie Bar

    If you're just starting your tie collection, we recommend a few great options that will work with endless outfits, from your weekday suit to your date night wardrobe of a button-down and jeans.

    A few ties you may want to buy to start your collection:

    Lilah Nicolaidis Freelance Writer Lilah Nicolaidis is a fashion writer and stylist, who has contributed to women’s lifestyle and home décor sites including the Nest, the Knot and the Fine Line. In addition to her freelance work, she spent many years in-house at prestigious print and online publications, including serving as the Style Editor for Glo.com, a women’s lifestyle site produced by MSN and Los Angeles-based media company BermanBraun. Previously, Lilah served as the West Coast Editor and the Senior Accessories Editor at ELLE Magazine, and earlier in her career she worked as an associate editor for W Magazine’s fashion department. She also works as a digital stylist for Snap+Style and Michael Kors, offering personalized styling and shopping services directly to consumers. Lilah holds a BA in art history and French from New York University, and lives in New Jersey with her husband and daughters. Read more Read less

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