4 Ways To Tie Your Shoes - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow The 4 Easiest Ways to Tie Shoelaces PDF download Download Article Learn how to tie sneakers, boots, and more with this thorough guide Co-authored by Kai Ng and Sophia Bell

Last Updated: January 14, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Basic Method
    • |
  • "Bunny Ears" Method
    • |
  • "Circle" Method
    • |
  • "Magic Fingers" or "Ian Knot" Method
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
|Show more |Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was co-authored by Kai Ng and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophia Bell. Kai Ng is a USATF and RRCA Certified Running Coach at Run Coach Kai. Kai has competed in over 55 races and over 15 marathons, and has trained with 16x USA and World record holder Patti Catalano Dillonso. He specializes in coaching runners of all levels and showing people that everyone can be a runner. Kai is committed to helping his clients reach their goals by showing them how to run with proper form and holding them accountable to train consistently. There are 7 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 2,919,324 times.

There are many ways to tie your shoes, and some may be easier than others. Whether you are trying to teach a child how to tie their shoes, or you're looking for a new technique, all you’ll need is a pair of patient hands and your favorite pair of shoes. Try the standard knot, or tie your shoes using the “bunny ears,” “circle method,” or “Ian knot” techniques.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 4:

Tying a Basic Knot

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  1. Step 1 Place the shoes on a flat surface. 1 Place the shoes on a flat surface. Let the laces fall to either side of the shoe.[1]
    • If you’re demonstrating this technique to someone, point the toe side of the shoe toward them so they can see your hand movements.
    • To make it easier for children, color the bottom of one shoelace brown, the middle part of the lace green, and the top part of the lace brown. This way, when you instruct them to make a loop with the lace, it can look like trying to form a “tree” by always making sure the green part of the lace is at the top of the loop, like the leaves at the top of a tree.[2]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 2 Tie a basic knot. Take both laces and thread one lace over the other and then pull them tight. They should form a knot in the middle of the shoe.[3] Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 3 Make a loop with one of the laces. You should be holding the lace between your thumb and your first two fingers.[4] [5]
    • If you are using the “tree” trick, instruct your child to form a loop with the colored lace so the brown parts of the lace are on top of each other (the trunk of the tree) and the green part sits at the top of the loop (the leaves of the tree).
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 4 Use your other hand to wrap the other lace around the loop. You should be holding it over your fingers and around the loop. Wrap the other lace toward you rather than away from you.[6]
    • Again, if you are using the “tree” trick, instruct your child to wrap the shoelace with the knot over the “trunk” of the tree.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 5 Pull the shoelace through the hole to form another loop. You should use your free hand to pull the shoelace through. There should now be a hole between the looped shoelace and the wrapped shoelace. Pull the wrapped shoelace through so it comes through this hole.[7]
    • Another way to explain this is to have your child poke the knot on the shoelace through the hole to make another loop.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 6 Hold both loops and pull them tight. You should now have a nicely tied shoe.
    • You can also instruct your child to pull the knot and the top of the tree trunk to either side, tightly.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 4:

Using the "Bunny Ears" Technique

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  1. Step 1 Place the shoes on a flat surface. 1 Place the shoes on a flat surface. Let the laces fall to either side of the shoe.[8]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 2 Tie a basic knot. Take both laces and thread one lace over the other and then pull them tight. They should form a knot in the middle of the shoe.[9]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 3 Make a “bunny ear” loop with one of the laces.[10] You should be holding the lace between your thumb and your first two fingers. The loop should be small and the “tail” should be long.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 4 Make a “bunny ear” loop with the other lace. Hold the lace between your thumb and first two fingers. Make the “tail” long and the loop small.[11]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 5 Tie a basic knot with the “bunny ear” loops. Place one loop over the other, then tuck it behind the other and thread it through the hole that is created.[12]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 6 Pull the “bunny ear” loops tight. Now your shoes are tied nicely.[13]
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Method 3 Method 3 of 4:

Using the "Circle" Technique

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  1. Step 1 Place the shoes... 1 Place the shoes on a flat surface. Let the laces fall to either side of the shoe.[14]
    • If you’re demonstrating this technique to someone, point the toe side of the shoe toward them so they can see your hand movements.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 2 Tie a basic knot. Take both laces and thread one lace over the other and then pull them tight. They should form a knot in the middle of the shoe.[15]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 3 Tie another knot, but don’t tighten it. Keep the second knot loose. Notice there is a circle shape formed by the knot. Hold the circle shape with your hand and lay it flat against the shoe.[16]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 4 Thread one shoelace into the circle. Make sure it comes up through the circle and over to one side. You can keep it loose, but make sure it does not slide all the way out of circle.[17]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 5 Thread the other shoelace into the circle. It should come up through the circle and over to the other side of the shoe.[18]
    • You should now have two loops on either side of the knot in the center of the shoe.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 6 Pull the loops tight. Use your hands to pull the loops tight so they are secure. Now your shoes are tied.[19]
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Method 4 Method 4 of 4:

Using the "Magic Fingers" or “Ian Knot” Technique

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  1. Step 1 Place the shoes on a flat surface. 1 Place the shoes on a flat surface. Let the laces fall to either side of the shoe.
    • If you’re demonstrating this technique to someone, point the toe side of the shoe toward them so they can see your hand movements.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 2 Tie a basic knot. Take both laces and thread one lace over the other and then pull them tight. They should form a knot in the middle of the shoe.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 3 Grip one of the shoelaces. Use your thumb and forefinger on your right hand to grip one of the shoelaces. Your fingers should be facing toward you.[20]
    • Make sure your pinky finger is also gripping the shoelace.
    • You should be making a half rectangle shape (or lobster claw shape) with your thumb and forefinger, as you grip the shoelace.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 4 Grip the other shoelace. Use your thumb and forefinger on your left hand to grip the other shoelace. Again, your fingers should be facing toward you.[21]
    • Don’t forget about your pinky finger. Make sure it is also gripping the shoelace. You should be making a half rectangle shape (or lobster claw shape) with your thumb and forefinger.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 5 Pull your fingers towards each other so you feel some tension. Twist your fingers so they are facing each other.[22]
    • It should look like the two halves of the rectangle or the two lobster claws are coming toward each other.
    • You should be forming an “X” shape with the laces.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Your Shoes 6 Pull the laces through using your thumb and forefinger. Pinch the laces between your fingers and pull them tight. As you tighten the laces, you should now have two loops on either side of the shoe and a nice, clean tie in the middle of the shoe.[23]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question My shoelaces keep coming untied. Why does this happen? Is there anything wrong with my tying? Community Answer Community Answer If you are tying them using the "circle" method, there is a possibility you are pulling the loops too far out, which makes them come undone easier and quicker. Also, you may not be pulling the whole thing in tightly enough. If this persists, try the "bunny ears" method. 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 189 Helpful 221
  • Question What if I still don't know how? Community Answer Community Answer Have someone show you personally, watch a YouTube tutorial video, or avoid shoes that require tying. 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 276 Helpful 232
  • Question Can I cut my shoe laces so I don't have to tie them? Community Answer Community Answer You could, but your shoes might feel loose. You could also just buy some shoes that don't require laces. 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 163 Helpful 203
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Video

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Tips

  • If you are teaching yourself or a kid how to do this, don't do it all on one day. Try to do it for 10 minutes per day for a week or so. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 13
  • Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep practicing your tying method and you’ll soon be able to do it quickly and easily. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 8
  • Keep in mind there's no right or wrong way to tie your shoes. You can tie your shoes any way you'd like, as long as you're comfortable in your shoes and can walk without pain. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 8
Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • If one loop (or "bunny ear") ends up weak, check that both ears are the same length. Then, pull the loops tight with the same tension.
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.ted.com/talks/terry_moore_how_to_tie_your_shoes#t-136928
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9tt7iI0VV8
  3. ↑ https://www.ted.com/talks/terry_moore_how_to_tie_your_shoes#t-136928
  4. ↑ Kai Ng. Certified Running Coach. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ https://www.ted.com/talks/terry_moore_how_to_tie_your_shoes#t-136928
  6. ↑ https://www.ted.com/talks/terry_moore_how_to_tie_your_shoes#t-136928
  7. ↑ https://www.ted.com/talks/terry_moore_how_to_tie_your_shoes#t-136928
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9tt7iI0VV8
  9. ↑ https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/health-daily-care/dressing/shoelaces
More References (14)
  1. ↑ Kai Ng. Certified Running Coach. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/health-daily-care/dressing/shoelaces
  3. ↑ https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/health-daily-care/dressing/shoelaces
  4. ↑ https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/health-daily-care/dressing/shoelaces
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBcTRK_GQU8
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBcTRK_GQU8
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBcTRK_GQU8
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBcTRK_GQU8
  9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBcTRK_GQU8
  10. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBcTRK_GQU8
  11. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1qmG5Qg5xY
  12. ↑ https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/professor-shoelace-demonstrates-the-worlds-fastest-shoelace-knot
  13. ↑ https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/professor-shoelace-demonstrates-the-worlds-fastest-shoelace-knot
  14. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1qmG5Qg5xY

About This Article

Kai Ng Co-authored by: Kai Ng Certified Running Coach This article was co-authored by Kai Ng and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophia Bell. Kai Ng is a USATF and RRCA Certified Running Coach at Run Coach Kai. Kai has competed in over 55 races and over 15 marathons, and has trained with 16x USA and World record holder Patti Catalano Dillonso. He specializes in coaching runners of all levels and showing people that everyone can be a runner. Kai is committed to helping his clients reach their goals by showing them how to run with proper form and holding them accountable to train consistently. This article has been viewed 2,919,324 times. 247 votes - 53% Co-authors: 202 Updated: January 14, 2025 Views: 2,919,324 Categories: Tying Shoelaces Article SummaryX

To tie your shoes using the bunny ear method, start by cross the laces over each other, and pass one of the laces through the loop. Pull both laces away from each other to tighten the knot. Then, make a bunny-ear-shaped loop with one of the laces, and pinch the base of it with your thumb and index finger so it stays in place. Repeat with the other lace. Once you have 2 bunny ears, cross the ears over each other. Pass one of the bunny ears through the loop. Finish by pulling the bunny ears away from each other to tighten the knot. To tie your shoes the more traditional way, start by crossing one lace over the other. Then, pass one of the laces through the loop underneath where the laces are crossed. Next, pull on the ends of both laces to tighten them. Once you've done that, make a loop with one of the laces, and hold it between your thumb and index finger. From there, wrap the other lace around the loop so it's coming toward you, not away. Now, pull the lace through the hole between both laces to create a second loop, but don't bring the end of the lace through. Finally, hold onto both loops and pull them tight. For more tips, including how to do the "Circle" technique, read on! 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. Kai Ng Co-authored by: Kai Ng Certified Running Coach 247 votes - 53% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 202 Updated: January 14, 2025 Views: 2,919,324 Austin Whytelock

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"My friends in school would always tease me because I did not know how to tie my shoelaces. I followed this article..." more Syrus Olikh

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