If you’ve known how to tie a necktie since childhood, you likely use the same knot over and over without giving much thought to other styles. Although you can’t go wrong with versatile classics, such as the Half-Windsor and the Four-in-Hand, there are some advantages to learning new tie knots. For one thing, you may find that wearing different knots for different occasions boosts your confidence. Just like getting a new haircut, small changes to your appearance can be refreshing, especially if you wear ties often.
In this article, we will review nine types of tie knots, many of which are suitable for beginners. So no matter your experience level, follow along and find a new style that makes you excited to put on a tie!
9 Different Ways to Tie a Tie
The way you knot your tie may not seem like a big deal, but it actually makes quite the difference! Some knots are formal, others look professional, and a few are only suitable for casual occasions. Learning when to wear each is a good idea, that way you can choose the right necktie knot for your next formal event, night out, or just a day at the office.
We’ve created step-by-step instructions so you know just how to create nine different tie knots. Choose one and start practicing!
The Simple Knot
The simple knot (also called the Oriental knot) is a straightforward style. It’s small and neat, making it the perfect knot to accompany a casual or professional outfit.
- To start, the back of the tie should be facing away from you. The wide end should be on your right side and the narrow on your left so that the tip touches your navel.
- Slide the wide end underneath the narrow end and cross it back over.
- Bring the wide end underneath the neck loop, so that it’s facing upwards.
- Pull it through the loop that’s been created in the front.
- Pull the wide end to tighten the knot, which you may adjust by sliding upwards.
The Bow Tie Knot
You could opt for a clip-on the next time you have a black tie event, but learning the bow tie knot is more fun! It’s not overly complicated, but it will likely take a little practice to get the hang of the bow tie.
- Place the bowtie around your neck facing up. The right side should be shorter than the left.
- Place the left side overtop the right side.
- Bring the left side underneath the right side. Pull it through the loop.
- Fold the shorter side towards the right and then towards the left. It should resemble a bow shape.
- Let the longer (left) side hang down over the middle now. It should be positioned over the bow shape you made with the shorter side.
- Fold the longer side toward your chest and pinch the fold in place. Pull this pinched end through the loop behind the shorter side.
- Tighten the bow by pulling the folded parts. Adjust it until it looks symmetrical.
The Half-Windsor Knot
The Half-Windsor is one of the most common necktie knots due to its versatility, medium size, and distinguished dimple it produces.
- Place the wide end of the tie on your right and the narrow end on your left, the tip right above your navel.
- Bring the wide end over the narrow end. Then wrap it under, towards your right side.
- Move the wide end up toward the middle of your neck, through the neck loop, and then to the left.
- Move the wide end across the front towards your right side.
- Pull it up from underneath, guiding it through the neck loop.
- Now bring the end through the loop you’ve created in the front of the knot.
- Pull the wide end to tighten the knot and adjust it by sliding it up.
The Full Windsor Knot
The Full Windsor (also called Double Windsor) knot is bigger than the Half-Windsor, meaning it may look crowded with your typical dress shirt collar. For the best results, you’ll want to wear this knot with a wide-spread collar.
- Put the wide end on your right and the narrow end on your left, resting above your navel.
- Bring the wide end to the left, over the narrow end.
- Pull the wide end underneath, through the neck loop.
- Guide the wide end down through the neck loop and off to the left.
- Move it to the right, around the back of the narrow end.
- Pull the wide end up towards the neck loop and down through, then towards the right.
- Move the wide end to the left over the front.
- Pull the tie underneath the neck loop before guiding it through the loop in front of the knot.
- Tighten the knot by gently pulling the wide end. Slide the knot up to adjust.
The Four-in-Hand Knot
One of the best and easiest knots you could learn, the Four-in-Hand is on the smaller side but works for pretty much any occasion.
- Start with the wide end on the right and the narrow end on the left, the tip of it right over your navel.
- Place the wide end over the narrow end.
- Bring the wide end under the narrow end and to the right.
- Now the wide end comes back over the front of the tie, to the left.
- Guide the wide end up into the neck loop from underneath.
- Move the wide end down into the loop you created in the front of the tie.
- Carefully tighten your newly formed knot by pulling the wide end. Adjust by pulling the knot up.
The Trinity Knot
The Trinity Knot is unique and sure to catch the eye of anyone you meet. It involves numerous steps, which ends up shortening the tie. For best results, use long ties.
- Place the wide end on the left and the narrow end on the right.
- Bring the narrow end over the wide end, to the left.
- Pull the narrow end underneath the neck loop and upwards, then downwards to the left.
- Slip the narrow end around the back of the wide end and to the right.
- Move the narrow end up to the center, pull it through the neck loop, and move it out to the left.
- Guide the narrow end to the right over the wide end and then into the neck loop from underneath.
- Pull the narrow end through the loop in the front of the tie but keep it loose.
- Bring the small end around the back of the tie and off to the right.
- Move the narrow end across the front and up through the loop from the last step.
- Tighten the knot before tucking the rest of the small end behind the loop on the left side.
The Eldredge Knot
This knot is perfect for formal occasions but incredibly complex. If you plan on wearing it, you’ll have to practice a lot, but your efforts will be rewarded!
- To get started, place the wide end on the left (resting on top of your belt buckle) and the narrow end on the right.
- Place the narrow end over the wide end.
- Guide the narrow end under the wide end, off to the right.
- Bring the narrow end upwards. Guide it down through the neck loop and to the left.
- Place the narrow end over the front of the ties and from the right side, pull it up from underneath the neck loop.
- Bring the narrow end down and to the left. Take it around the back of the wide end, to the right. Don’t tighten it.
- Bring it to the left across the front of the tie and through the loop from the last step, pulling to tighten.
- The narrow end comes up to the center, down the neck loop, and to the left.
- Bring it back through the neck loop, to the left. Keep it loose.
- Pull the end to the left through the loop from the last step. Tighten by pulling the narrow end towards the left.
- Tuck the thin end behind the neck loop.
The Pratt Knot
The Pratt knot (also called the Shelby knot) is elegant but modest, making it perfect for every day at the office.
- Start with the backside facing up. The wider end should be on your right and the narrow end on your left.
- Place the wide end over the narrow one.
- Bring it up to the center, drive it through the neck loop, and move it down to the left.
- Pass the wide end back over the narrow end, to the right.
- Bring it underneath the neck loop and pull it upwards.
- Pass it down through the neck loop in the front of the tie and pull to tighten. Slide the knot up and adjust as needed.
The Balthus Knot
Another large knot that works best with a spread collar, the Bathus is symmetrical and a great knot to use with long ties.
- Start with the back of the tie facing upwards, the wide end on the right, and the narrow end on the left.
- Bring the wide end to the left, underneath the narrow end.
- Pull the wide end upwards and then down through the neck loop and to the right.
- Bring it back through the neck loop, this time off to the left.
- Pass it through the neck loop again and off to the right.
- Bring the wide end to the left over the front of the narrow end.
- Drive it through the neck look from underneath and pull it through the loop in the front of the knot. Pull to tighten, and slide up to adjust the knot.
Invest in Your Tie Collection with PRIME Neckwear
There are more than a few different ways to tie a tie! No matter which styles interest you, the key is having the best tie to work with. Larger knots look best with materials that are thin to medium thickness; meanwhile, simple knots work better with thick ties. You also need to consider the length of the tie you plan to use — complex knots that loop around several times require long ties. If you plan on switching up your necktie knot frequently, it’s a good idea to have different types of ties on hand.
PRIME Neckwear has you covered! No matter what type of knot you want to make, our premium neckties are easy to work with and come in different lengths. Browse our shop today and pick out some patterns you love. Our quick shipping options will have them there in no time so you can start mastering different knots. While you wait, browse more men’s fashion tips on our blog!
