How To Tie A Tie? Easy Step by Step Instructions [16 Knots]

Don’t know how to tie a tie? Follow our easy step-by-step instructions on how to tie different knots, like the famous Windsor knot and Double Windsor knot. A tutorial for making your tie like a pro!

Tying a tie knot is super easy… Well, as long as you don’t have to do it! So, for those who don’t need to wear a tie every day, here are some very simple little tutorials to refresh your memory. Make your choice, follow the explanations below, or follow the steps in the small drawings a little further down… And if it’s not yet very clear, you will find an explanatory video below.

Whether for business or social occasions, some ensembles look best with a tie. Located below the shirt collar and tied at the throat, a straight tie brings a level of professionalism and elegance to a suit, jacket, or shirt and pants.

Although clip-on ties may seem like an easier solution, hand-tied straight ties are the more attractive option. With six tie knots to choose from, there’s something for every collar size and shirt style.

How to tie a tie in a step-by-step process:

1. Victoria Knot (How to tie the Victoria Knot?)

1. Drape the tie inward, with the seam inward and the thicker end to the left, about 2-3 inches below where you want the finishing to be.
2. Cross horizontally in front of the narrow end and then cross horizontally behind the narrow end.
3. Pass the thick end through the front end again, from left to right.
4. Cross the thick end of the knot from right to left.
5. Bring the thick end over the front a third time and slide your fingers under the new horizontal band you just created.
6. Insert the thick end through the collar from under the collar.
7. Pass the thicker end down through the horizontal strip.
8. Snug the thick end in place. Grasp the knot with one hand and use the other hand to gently pull on the narrow end to adjust.

2. Four-in-hand knot (How to tie the four-in-hand knot?)

1. Wrap the tie around your collar. The thick end on the left side is 3-4 inches lower than the thin end.
2. Thread through the thick end before the thin end.
3. Wrap the thick end behind the thin end and cross it horizontally from right to left.
4. Pass the thicker end horizontally through the front of the knot from right to left. Slide your finger under this horizontal band.
5. Twist the tip of the thick end upward and slide it under the ring around your neck.
6. Pull the thick end down through the loop that you’re holding open with your fingers.
7. Pull the thicker end through the loop and secure the knot tightly.
8. Hold the knot gently with one hand and use the other hand to tighten the knot by pulling on the thin end.

The four-in-hand knot is one of the most popular tie knots for beginners learning how to tie a tie. Not only is it easy to learn, it’s also one of the oldest.

This knot requires less tie length, making it an excellent choice for tall men trying to tie a regular-length tie.

The narrower shape is ideal for narrow collars and button-down dress shirts.

3. The Trinity Knot (How to tie the Trinity Knot?)

1. Wrap the tie around the collar with the seam facing in and the thick wire end hanging down on the right side where you want the length of the tie to remain.
2. Cross the end of the narrow wire diagonally from the end of the thick wire, making an X, and tuck it under the loop on your neck.
3. Place the narrower end back over the top of the loop.
4. After passing the narrow end horizontally through the thick end.
5. Turn the narrow end over to the top of the loop above the collar.
6. Feed the tip of the thin end down and on the far right side of the knot, under the loop around your neck.
7. Pass the narrow end horizontally across the front of the knot from right to left. Slide your finger under the horizontal band thus created.
8. Wrap the narrower end under the collar’s loop and thread it through the horizontal strap. Slide your finger under the narrow end above the knot.
9. Wrap the narrow end over the thick end from right to left.
10. Pass the tip of the narrow end through the collar and through the small vertical loop left in step 8.
11. Pull the narrow end all the way through the vertical loop, still tilting up and to the right, and snug it down.
12. Pull any slack out of the knot and adjust as needed so that the three visible creases are the same size and angle. Hide the narrower end behind the thicker end or hide it under a loop around the collar.

4. Half Windsor Knot (How to tie the Half Windsor Knot?)

1. Drape the tie around your neck, with the large right end hanging over your thigh and the thin left end over your ribs.
2. Cross the wide end in front of the thin end from right to left, creating an X shape under the chin.
3. Wrap the wide end of the tie horizontally around the thin end and behind it.
4. Starting at the top, thread through the opening of the X and pull tight.
5. Hold the wide end with your right hand and wrap it around the front of the thin end from right to left.
6. Keeping the triangle intact with your left hand, bring the wide edge toward your chest and cross the X from behind the hoop.
7. Use your left index finger to open the triangle now formed above the X and pull the wide end all the way to the bottom.
8. To adjust the length, pull the knot upward toward the collar while tightening the thin end of the tie. You may need to adjust the leveling ring to make sure it is flat and even.

In addition to the four-in-hand knot, the half-Windsor knot is best for people who are just starting to learn how to tie a tie.

This knot is ideal for medium-width and thicker ties. This is the most versatile and popular tie knot.

Since a half Windsor tie requires less tie length than a larger Windsor knot, it’s also a good choice for taller men trying to wear regular-length ties.

5. Kelvin Knot (How to tie Kelvin Knot?)

1. Drape the tie over the collar with the seam facing out and the thick end to the left, two to three inches below the desired finishing position.
2. From left to right, go under the thinner end and over the thicker end, forming an X shape under the chin.
3. Pull the thicker end back to the front of the knot from right to left. Continue wrapping it around the thin end, passing it back behind the knot from left to right.
4. Next, cross the thick end horizontally across the front of the knot again from right to left. Slide your finger under the horizontal band thus created.
5. Collar the thicker end up and under the loop around the collar.
6. Bring the tip of the thick end down through the horizontal loop created in step 4 (instead of the smaller loop created in step 3).
7. Pull the thicker end all the way through the horizontal loop, holding the knot tightly in place.
8. Tighten the tie by grasping the knot with one hand and gently pulling on the narrow end with the other hand.

6. Nikki knot (How to tie Nikki knot?)

1. Wrap the tie around the collar with the seam facing out and the thick end to your left, about 2 inches lower than the desired final position.
2. Cross the thicker end under the thinner end, creating an X shape under the chin.
3. Turn the thick end over to the front of the loop at the front of the collar and tuck it down into the loop, exposing to the left side of the thin end.
4. Pass the tip of the thick end horizontally through the front of the knot. Slide one finger under the horizontal band you just created and across the front of the knot.
5. Place the end of the thick wire with the tip up and under the loop around the collar.
6. Tuck the end of the thick end down through the horizontal loop created in step 4.
7. Pull the thicker end all the way through the horizontal loop and snug it down.
8. Adjust the knot as needed, holding it with one hand and pulling on the narrow end of the tie with your other hand.

7. Windsor Knot (How to tie Windsor Knot?)

1. Hang the tie around your neck, with the wide right end 4-6 inches lower than the belt.
2. Cross the wide end horizontally in front of the slender end, creating an X shape under the chin.
3. Tuck the wider end up and under the loop around your neck, pointing from X up to down. Using the index finger you need to hold the X in its place.
4. Pull the wide-angle end all the way down.
5. Bring the wide end around the knot and pass it horizontally from right to left.
6. Flip the wide end tip up and pull it diagonally over the front of the knot.
7. Wrap the wider end around the top of the collar and place it back in place. It should appear to the left of the thin end.
8. Pass the wide end horizontally across the front of the knot from left to right. This forms a horizontal band. Insert a finger into it and hold it in place.
9. Place the wide end of the loop under the loop again, around the ferrule with the tip facing up.
10. Rotate the wide end downward and pass the tip through the horizontal loop saved with your finger in step 8.
11. Pull the wide end all the way through and smooth out any creases or slack in the knot.

The Windsor knot has a large triangular symmetrical shape, making it ideal for men with wide collars and larger necks. The Windsor knot requires additional tie length because there are two wraps. Tall men with larger necks will need a tie between 61 – 64 inches.

8. Christensen Knot (How to tie the Christensen Knot?)

1. Hang the thick end of the tie around your neck. The hanging height of this end should be four to six inches lower than the desired final length.
2. Cross the thick end horizontally in front of the thin end from left to right.
3. Wrap the thin end horizontally behind the thin end from right to left.
4. Flip the thick end over to the front of the loop around the collar.
5. Tuck the thicker end down into the collar loop and emerge to the right of the thinner end.
6. Pass the thick wire ends through the earlier horizontal strips and the diagonal lines created in step 5. Slide your finger under the new horizontal crosshatch.
7. Wrap the thick end behind the knot from left to right.
8. Pass the thicker end just above the horizontal crease you made in step 6. (Your fingers should still keep the crease open.) Use your fingers to hold the two horizontal strips slightly away from the collar.
9. Slide the thicker end under the loop at the bottom of the collar.
10. Tuck the thicker end down behind the two horizontal intersections and pull through.

Holding the knot with one hand, pull the knot into place. Now, pull gently on the other thin end. Use your fingers to tease the diagonal pleats until the X shape of the knot is very clear.

9. Bow tie (how to tie a bow tie?)

1. Start by hanging the tie around your neck with the seam facing down and the right side longer than the left.
2. Place the right end over the left end, creating an X shape under the chin.
3. When tying your shoelaces, loop the longer end behind the “X” to create a simple knot similar to the first knot. Pull tight so the longer end rests against your shoulder.
4. Place your index finger on the widest part of the short-end curve and fold it to form an arch. Hold the folded tip over your collar so that its shorter end is as close to your neck as possible.
5. Holding the upper bow between your index finger and left thumb, move the longer end straight down over the shorter end in the middle of the bow.
6. With your right hand, fold the longer end back toward the chest, pinch the crease, and double the tip to form a wing.
7. Tuck the folded end of the longer end behind the folded end of the shorter end and thread it through the small loop you pulled through when you first formed the knot.
8. Once the wings are secured, pull on the loops behind them to tighten the vertical front knot.
9. Hold the front of the knot with one finger and rotate the wings until they are symmetrical.
10. Make final adjustments. Make sure the tie is straight and level against your collarbone. You’re done! Now you know how to tie a tie in bow tie style.

10. Platt Knot (How to tie the Platt Knot?)

1. Drape the tie over the collar with its seam facing out and the thick wire end hanging to your left side, 1-2 inches below the desired finishing point.
2. Cross the thick end under the thin end – creating an X shape under the chin.
3. Thread the thick end through the loop.
4. Pull the thick end all the way and flip the tip so it points to your left.
5. Pass the thick end horizontally across the front of the knot (right to left). Place your finger behind the horizontal band you just created.
6. Pull the thicker end up through the loop from underneath.
7. Place the tip of the thick end down – directly on top of the narrow end.
8. Pull the thicker end down over the horizontal straps. Hold it securely in place.
9. Hold the knot with one hand while gently pulling on the narrow end with your other hand to adjust the tie.

11. St. Andrew’s Knot (How to tie the St. Andrew’s Knot?)

1. Tie the tie around your neck with the seam facing out and the thick end to the left, two to three inches below the desired finishing position.
2. Cross the thicker end horizontally under the thinner end, creating an X shape under the chin.
3. Pass the thick end horizontally through the front of the thin end.
4. Continue wrapping the thick end around the thin end, passing it horizontally across the back of the thin end from left to right.
5. Flip the thick end straight up and over the front of the knot, then fold it back down behind the knot.
6. Extend the thicker end to the left of the thicker end.
7. Pass the thick end through the front of the knot from left to right. This will form a horizontal band. Slide a finger.
8. Finally, pull the thicker end behind the knot and tuck it into the horizontal loop made in step 7.
9. Pull the thick end completely apart, grasp the knot with one hand, and carefully pull the thick knot with the other hand.

12. Plattsburgh Knot (How to tie Plattsburgh Knot?)

1. Tie the tie around the collar with the seam exposed, placing the thick wire end on the left side, 4-5 inches below where you want the finishing to be.
2. Pass the thicker end of the tie through the narrow end, forming an X shape. Hold down that X and flip the top of the thicker end up over the front of the ring that goes around your collar.
3. Tuck the thicker end into the loop and pull it back to the left.
4. Point the thick end upward.
5. Bring the thicker end back to the front of the loop, but still to the left of the narrower end.
6. Insert the thicker end down into the loop, emerging on the right side.
7. Pass the thicker end horizontally through the front of the knot from right to left. Slide your finger under the horizontal band you just created.
8. Tuck the thicker end into the collar from behind and thread it through the loop.
9. Pull the thicker end down through the horizontal strap and press it down firmly.
10. Hold the knot with one hand and use the other hand to tighten by pulling on the narrow end. Adjust the edges so they look symmetrical.

13. Grantchester knot (How to tie the Grantchester knot?)

1. Wrap the tie around the collar with the seam facing out and the thick end on the left side, 4-5 inches below the desired finishing position.
2. Cross the thick end under the thin end to form an X.
3. Cross the thicker end across the front of the thinner end and move it horizontally from right to left.
4. Then wrap the thick end behind the thin end from left to right.
5. Now, wrap the thicker end around the front from right to left. Use your fingers to hold the horizontal strip you just made in place.
6. Slide the thicker end of the tie under the collar loop.
7. Turn the thick end over so it hangs in front of the knot. Continue to use your fingers to hold the wristband in place.
8. Wrap the thick end behind the knot from right to left.
9. Wrap the thick wire end around the front of the knot from left to right and insert a finger under the horizontal band you created.
10. Pass the thick end through the loop and put it on the collar from below.
11. Bring the thicker end down through the horizontal strip, snug it down, and shape the corners of the knot into an even shape.

14. Cafe Knot (How to tie the cafe knot?)

1. Wrap the tie around the collar with the seam facing in and the thick end to the right, about half an inch lower than where the tie will hang.
2. Bring the thin end over the thick end to form an X. Then pass the thin end through the loop you just formed and place it behind the X.
3. Flip the thin end over the top of the knot.
4. Pull the thin end behind the knot from left to right.
5. Then thread the thin end through the front from right to left.
6. Now, after tying the thin end, thread it through the loop around your neck. This will leave a horizontal band in front of the knot.
7. Turn the thin end over to the front of the knot so that it hangs down.
8. Move the thin end slightly to the left of the thick end and cross it from left to right, folding it behind the knot.
9. Hold the thin end toward the front of the knot and point the tip up toward your left shoulder.
10. Tuck the thin end into the collar through the loop, behind the remaining knot, and leave the thick end exposed to the left.
11. Pull the thin end tightly and take a moment to arrange the center of the knot. You want the diagonal legs to rise at the same angle and meet just under the chin.
12. Flip the thick line forward and backward. You can throw it over one shoulder.
13. Turn the thin end up so that it passes through the back of the knot through a single horizontal loop.
14. Pull the thin end all the way into the loop and buckle tightly.
15. Flip the ends of the tie down.
16. Hold the knot with one hand while pulling on the thick end with the other hand, carefully tightening.

Cafe Knot is a puzzle. If you’re not familiar with the basics don’t try the cafe knot.

You might also like to read: How to Start a Business in One Day?

15. Eldredge knot (How to tie the Eldredge knot?)

1. Drape the tie over the collar, and when it’s thick, place the thick end exactly where you want it to hang.
2. Pinch the wide end of the tie to create a dimple and bring the thin end horizontally over the thicker end.
3. Wrap the thin end behind the cross shape, crossing it horizontally from right to left.
4. Pass the thin end through the loop of the collar.
5. Pass the thin end horizontally through the thick end.
6. Pass the tip of the thin end through the loop of the collar and flip it over the top of the knot, crossing it diagonally downward from left to right. Pull it down taut, forming a diagonal band along the right side of the knot.
7. Wrap the thin end behind the knot and thread it through the diagonal strip.
8. Punch through and pull tight to form diagonal bands on both sides.
9. Align the thin end of the tie straight up and tuck it down under the loop at your neckline, exposing the right side of the knot.
10. Loop the thin end of the tie and loop it around your collar. Take a little slack on this step.
11. Bend the tip of the thin end down and to the left, under the loop at your neck, and up through the loop you just created.
12. Turn the thin end over to the top of the loop above the collar.
13. Tuck the rest of the thin end out of sight, either behind the thick end, or slide it horizontally under a loop around your neck. If necessary, tighten it by thickening the ends and adjust each diagonal strip to roughly the same width.

This is a very intricate tie knot that says you really know how to tie a tie…and you’re not afraid to show it off.

16. Balthus knot (How to tie Balthus knot?)

1. Tie the long tie around your neck with the seam up and the thick cord end on the left side. The thicker end should hang down to at least mid-thigh, and the thinner end should hang to the center of the chest.
2. Cross the thin end over the thick end.
3. With the thicker end facing forward, tuck it down into the thinner end and cross it behind.
4. With the thick end facing forward, loop over the thin end, this time to the left of the formed knot.
5. Bend the thicker end down and sideways, and finally behind the thinner end and to the right.
6. Flip the thick end up and loop it over the center of the knot.
7. Now tie the thicker end downwards, crossing it from right to left.
8. Bring the thick end horizontally across the front of the knot, crossing it from left to right.
9. Pull the thicker end behind the knot and up. Leave a little looseness in the level pass you just made.
10. Bend the thick end through this horizontal channel.
11. Adjust by holding the knot firmly with your other hand while gently tapering the end. Ideally, the tie should be fairly wide below the knot but should still fall on the waistband.

The Balthus knot is highly recommended for any grand event – make sure to wear it to those fancy dinners, plays, and art events.