4 Ways To Tie A Tie - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Tie a Tie PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Chloée Ohayon-Crosby

Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Fact Checked

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  • Four-in-Hand Knot
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  • Traditional Windsor Knot
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  • Pratt Knot
    • |
  • Half Windsor Knot
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  • Video
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  • Q&A
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  • Tips
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This article was co-authored by Chloée Ohayon-Crosby. Chloée Ohayon-Crosby is a Costume Designer and Wardrobe Specialist in Los Angeles, California. With over eight years of experience in fashion consulting, Chloée specializes in personal, film, theater, and commercial styling as well as image consulting and costume design. Chloée has worked as an assistant designer for the distinguished fashion house Chloée and as a freelance stylist with Glamour Italia. Chloée studied Fine/Studio Arts at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and Fashion Design and Merchandising at the world renowned ESMOD École Supérieure des Arts in Paris, France. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 7,042,709 times.

Have you graduated beyond the clip-on tie? Beginning with these helpful instructions, a sharp-looking tie, a mirror, and some patience, you can become an expert in tying your own fashionable knot. You have several options available, from the versatile Four-in-Hand Knot and classic Windsor, to the basic yet formal Pratt knot and stylishly neat half Windsor.

If you're helping someone else put on a tie, see this article for instructions from that perspective.

The Easiest Way to Tie a Tie (Four-in-Hand)

Illustration of a step-by-step diagram showing how to tie a necktie, illustrating seven steps with arrows.
  1. Start with the wide end on the right of your neck, 12 inches (30 cm) lower than the thin side.
  2. Cross the wide end over the narrow end.
  3. Loop the wide end under the narrow end so it ends up on your right side again.
  4. Loop the wide end back over again.
  5. Pull the wide end up through the neck loop.
  6. Thread the wide end down through the horizontal front loop you created.
  7. Tighten the knot by holding the narrow end and sliding the front knot up.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 4:

Using the Tupac Method (Four-in-Hand Knot)

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  1. Step 1 Drape the tie... 1 Drape the tie around your neck. With your collar up and your shirt fully buttoned, place the tie around your shoulders. Hang the wider end of the tie on your right side, with the narrow end about 12 inches (30 cm) higher on the left.[1]

    Tip: Avoid spread collars with this small, asymmetric knot.

  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 2 Cross the wide end over the narrow end. Bring the wide end to the left side of your body, over the narrow end. Hold the two pieces of cloth together with your left hand, near your neck. Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 3 Loop the wide end under the narrow end. Let go with your right hand. Tuck it underneath the narrow end, grab the wide end, and pull it back through to your right side.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 4 Loop the wide end back over again. Cross it over the narrow end one more time, at the same point where your left hand is holding the knot together.

    Note: The front of the tie should be facing forward again (so the seam is hidden).

  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 5 Pull the wide end up through the neck loop. Fold the tip of the wide end under itself and pull up through the neck loop.[2]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 6 Insert the wide end down through the front knot. You should have a horizontal knot across the front of your tie. Hold this knot open with your finger and carefully insert the wide end.
  7. Step 7 Tighten the knot. 7 Tighten the knot. Hold the narrow end and slide the front knot up to tighten the tie. Make sure your tie is straight and the length is appropriate, ideally ending at the top of your belt buckle.
    • Squeeze the sides of the knot gently to create a dimple just below it.

    Tip: The four-in-hand knot is a little asymmetrical at the neck. Don't worry about this; it is normal.

  8. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 8 Tuck the narrow end of the tie into the loop on the back side of the wide end.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 9 Fold your collar down, and make sure that the tie is covered by the collar all the way around your neck.
    10. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 4:

Tying the Traditional Windsor Knot (Extra Formal)

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  1. Step 1 Put the tie... 1 Put the tie around your neck. Make sure the wider end is on the right, and about 14 inches (36 cm) lower than the thinner side on the left. The Windsor knot uses a lot of cloth, so the lower end should start a bit lower than you would usually position a tie.

    Tip: Many consider the large, symmetric Windsor knot the most elegant and formal option. Wear it with a spread or wide spread collar.[3]

  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 2 Cross the wide end over the narrow end. Hold one end in each hand, then pass each of them to the opposite hand. The wide end should now be on your left side.[4]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 3 Bring the wide end up through the neck loop. Using your right hand, hold the two ends where they cross near your collar. With your left hand, pull the wide end up through the neck loop from below.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 4 Bring your tie back down. Rest the wide end back on your chest, to the left of the narrow end.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 5 Fold the wide end behind the narrow end. Grab the wide end with your right hand and pull it back to the right side of your body, under the narrow end. Hold the knot near your collar in place with your left hand.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 6 Fold the wide end over the narrow end. Fold it back over from right to left, so the front side is visible again.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 7 Pull the wide end through the neck loop from below. Bring the wide end back up through the neck loop one last time.
  8. Step 8 Insert the wide end through the front knot. 8 Insert the wide end through the front knot. Place the wide end through the horizontal knot at the front of the tie. Pull it through.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 9 Tighten the knot. Hold the base of the front knot and squeeze gently from the sides. Slowly pull the wide end of the tie to bring the knot closer to the neck.
    10. Advertisement
Method 3 Method 3 of 4:

Tying the Pratt Knot (Basic Formal Knot)

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  1. Step 1 Place the tie upside down around your collar. 1 Place the tie upside down around your collar. Unlike most knots, the Pratt knot begins with the tie upside down, so the seam of the tie is facing forward. Hang the wide end of the tie over your right side, and the narrow end over your left side.
    • This medium size knot suits most collars and builds.
  2. Step 2 Check the position of the wide end. 2 Check the position of the wide end. In a knotted tie, the wide end should just graze the top of your belt buckle.[5] At the start, however, raise or lower the wide end until it hangs 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) below this point. As a rule of thumb, the Pratt knot will lift the wide end by this distance as you tie the knot.[6]
    • The narrow end of the tie should be higher than the wide end. It will usually be around belly button level, but this is less important than the wide end's placement.[7]
  3. Step 3 Cross the wide end under the narrow end. 3 Cross the wide end under the narrow end. Move the wide end across your body to the left side, placing it underneath the narrow end.
    • Do not move the narrow end of the tie for any part of this knot.[8] Just hold it steady while you use the wide end.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 4 Bring the wide end up to the loop around the neck. Place the tip on top of the loop, still on your left side.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 5 Pull the wide end through the neck loop. Insert the wide end down into the loop from above. Pull it through in the same direction it lay before, on the left.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 6 Fold the wide end over the narrow end, from left to right. This flips the wide end so the seam is no longer visible. The wide end will extend at an angle off to your right.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 7 Pull the wide end up through the neck loop. Bring the wide end up to your neck loop again, but this time from below. Pull it through.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 8 Tuck the wide end down through the new loop at the front. Your last fold created a horizontal loop at the front of your tie. Tuck the wide end through this loop, and pull straight down to tighten. The wide end should now rest in front of the narrow end.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 9 Slide the knot to adjust. Pull down on the wide end to tighten. Slide the front knot up to the base of your collar to fasten the tie.
    • To create a dimple just below the front knot, squeeze the sides of the knot gently as you tighten.
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Method 4 Method 4 of 4:

Tying a Half Windsor Knot (Formal)

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  1. Step 1 Position the wide end on the right side. 1 Position the wide end on the right side. Place the tie around your neck and let the sides hang in front of you. The wide end should be on the right side of your body, and hang roughly 12 inches (30 cm) lower than the narrow end on the left.
    • The Half Windsor is a triangular, symmetrical knot suitable for formal occasions. Larger than the Four-in-hand but less bulky than the Windsor, this can work with most neckties and collar types.[9] Neckties made from thicker fabric will likely require a spread or wide spread collar with this knot.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 2 Cross the wide end over the narrow end. Bring the wide end of the tie over to your left side, crossing over the narrow end.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 3 Fold the wide end back under the narrow end. Complete a loop around the narrow end and pull the wide end back to the right side.
    • The underside of the wide end should be visible at this point.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 4 Take the wide end up to the neck loop. Raise the wide end up to the loop of necktie at your collar. Keep it on the right side.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 5 Pull the wide end through the loop and to the left. Insert the wide tip down through the loop and pull it through from the left side, so it crosses under the narrow end.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 6 Fold the wide end over the front of the narrow end. Bring the wide end back across the front and onto your right side.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 7 Slide the wide end up through the neck loop. Fold the wide end up through the neck loop a second time.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 8 Insert the wide end down through the front knot. Loosen the front knot with your finger and insert the wide end. Pull it through to rest over the narrow end.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie 9 Pull on the wide end to tighten. Gently squeeze the front knot as you pull to slide the knot up and create a dimple at the front of your tie.
    10. Advertisement

Community Q&A

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  • Question Can I use a scarf as a tie? Community Answer Community Answer Yes, you can use a scarf as a tie. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 45 Helpful 88
  • Question What type of knot should I use for school? Community Answer Community Answer The four-in-hand knot should work fine for school. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 51 Helpful 139
  • Question What is the quickest way to tie a tie? Abhimanyu Sinha Abhimanyu Sinha Community Answer The four-in-hand knot should work. Doesn't take more than a minutes with practice. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 60 Helpful 156
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Video

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Tips

  • Ideally, the tip of the tie should graze the top of your belt buckle. It's all right if the tie dips down to the bottom of the belt buckle ("Italian style"). If it's any lower, try a knot that uses plenty of cloth (such as the Windsor), or switch to a shorter tie.[10] Similarly, if the tie ends above your belt, buy a longer tie or try the Pratt knot, which doesn't use much cloth in the knot. Thanks Helpful 18 Not Helpful 17
  • If you're helping someone tie their tie, tie it on yourself first since it will be easier to make the proportions accurate. Then, before you tighten the knot, transfer the tie to their neck.[11] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • If your tie has a loop underneath the wide side of the tie, you may slide the narrow side through that loop to prevent it from "peeking" from behind the wide side of the tie. Thanks Helpful 29 Not Helpful 12
Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.thetiebar.com/how-to-tie/four-in-hand
  2. ↑ https://www.thetiebar.com/how-to-tie/four-in-hand
  3. ↑ Thuy Tranthi, Tie a Windsor Knot, in The Expert's Guide to 100 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do, p. 51, (2004), ISBN 1-74114-586-4
  4. ↑ http://www.ties.com/how-to-tie-a-tie/windsor
  5. ↑ https://www.morgan.edu/Documents/ADMINISTRATION/CENTERS/ccd/Handouts/Handout~How%20to%20Tie%20a%20Tie.pdf
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCmCf86pbV8
  7. ↑ http://www.ties.com/how-to-tie-a-tie/pratt
  8. ↑ http://www.ties.com/how-to-tie-a-tie/pratt
  9. ↑ Chic Simple, Shirt and Tie, p. 37, (1993), ISBN 0-500-01593-7
More References (2)
  1. ↑ https://www.morgan.edu/Documents/ADMINISTRATION/CENTERS/ccd/Handouts/Handout~How%20to%20Tie%20a%20Tie.pdf
  2. ↑ Chloée Ohayon-Crosby. Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist. Expert Interview

About This Article

Chloée Ohayon-Crosby Co-authored by: Chloée Ohayon-Crosby Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist This article was co-authored by Chloée Ohayon-Crosby. Chloée Ohayon-Crosby is a Costume Designer and Wardrobe Specialist in Los Angeles, California. With over eight years of experience in fashion consulting, Chloée specializes in personal, film, theater, and commercial styling as well as image consulting and costume design. Chloée has worked as an assistant designer for the distinguished fashion house Chloée and as a freelance stylist with Glamour Italia. Chloée studied Fine/Studio Arts at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and Fashion Design and Merchandising at the world renowned ESMOD École Supérieure des Arts in Paris, France. This article has been viewed 7,042,709 times. 340 votes - 86% Co-authors: 240 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 7,042,709 Categories: Featured Articles | Ties | Knot Tying Article SummaryX

The best way to tie a tie for beginners is the 4-in-hand knot. Step 1. Button the top button of your shirt, and fold your collar up. Step 2. Hang the tie around your collar so that the wide end is on your right side, about 4 inches below the narrow end. Step 3. Cross the wide end in front of the narrow end. Step 4. Bring the wide end behind the narrow end, and pull the wide end from left to right. Hold the narrow end steady throughout. Step 5. Cross the wide end in front of the narrow end from right to left. Step 6. Pull the wide end up through the neck loop, then push the wide end down through the loop you created in front. Step 7. Hold the narrow end in one hand, then pull the wide end to tighten the knot. Straighten the knot as needed. Step 8. Check to make sure that the end of the tie is about at the middle of your belt buckle, and tuck the narrow end of the tie into the loop on the back side of the wide end. Step 9. Fold your collar down, and make sure that the tie is covered by the collar all the way around your neck. Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Chloée Ohayon-Crosby Co-authored by: Chloée Ohayon-Crosby Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist Co-authors: 240 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 7,042,709 86% of readers found this article helpful. 340 votes - 86% Click a star to add your vote Layla C.

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