How To Tie A Tie Half Windsor: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

Home » How Tie A Half Windsor Knot » How To Tie A Tie Half Windsor: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

Maybe your like

Skip to ContentQuizzes
  • Home
  • Random
  • Browse Articles
  • Quizzes & Games
  • All QuizzesHot
  • Love Quizzes
  • Personality Quizzes
  • Fun Games
  • Dating Simulator
  • Learn Something New
  • Forums
  • Courses
  • Happiness Hub
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Tie a Tie Half Windsor PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Chloée Ohayon-Crosby and Christopher M. Osborne, PhD

Last Updated: October 31, 2025 References

PDF download Download Article
  • Half Windsor Knot #1
    • |
  • Half Windsor Knot #2
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
|Show more |Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was co-authored by Chloée Ohayon-Crosby and by wikiHow staff writer, Christopher M. Osborne, PhD. 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 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 186,449 times.

If you’re looking for a slightly more formal but still easy alternative to the “four in hand” method of tying a tie, try the half Windsor knot. This knot is large but not bulky, resembles a triangle, and offers a distinguished look (without being quite as formal as the full Windsor). You can tie half Windsors in a few subtly different ways, so try two different options and see which is easiest for you to do—and which looks best on you!

Half Windsor Necktie Knot Overview

Illustration of a step-by-step diagram showing how to tie a half Windsor knot.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Half Windsor Knot #1

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie Half Windsor 1 Face a mirror and place the tie around your neck.[1] If you’re going for a classic look with a collared shirt, unfold the collar and drape the tie around its base. The wide end of the tie should drape down about 12 in (30 cm) below the thin end to begin with.[2]
    • The “show” side of the tie should be facing out, and the side with the center seam should be against your chest.
    • The wide side of the tie should be on the same side as your dominant hand. So, if you’re right-handed, the wide side should be on the right side of your chest.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie Half Windsor 2 Loop the wide end over and around the narrow end. Hold the wide side of the tie with your dominant hand and the thin side with your off hand. Lift the wide end away from your chest, then carry it across the front of the narrow end. Then, bring the wide end around and behind the narrow end.[3]
    • When you’re done, the wide end should once again be on your dominant side, but the seam should be facing outward.
    • This maneuver will create what’s called a “neck loop”—a V-shaped opening created by the tie just below the base of your neck.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie Half Windsor 3 Tuck the wide end of the tie into the neck loop. Start by lifting the wide end away from your chest again, then flip the tip of the wide end up towards your chin and insert it into the neck loop. Feed the rest of the wide side into the neck loop and apply gentle pressure to tighten the knot you just created at the bottom of the neck loop.[4]
    • After feeding the wide side through the neck loop, you’ll once again end up with its seam facing outward on the dominant-hand side of your chest.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie Half Windsor 4 Cross the wide end over and around the narrow end once again. As before, lift the wide side away from your chest, cross it over the thin side of the tie, then continue under and around the thin side.[5]
    • Yet again, you should end up with the wide side of the tie on the dominant-hand side of your chest with the seam facing out.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie Half Windsor 5 Feed the wide end up through the neck loop from behind. Bring the tip of the wide end straight up behind the narrow end and through the neck loop. Once you’ve pulled the entire wide end through the neck loop, let it drape down over the center of your chest. The “show” side of the wide end of the tie should now be facing outward.[6]
    • To help form the pocket inside the knot for the next step of the process, you can extend the thumb of your off hand (which is holding the thin side of the tie) up into the knot at the base of the neck loop.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie Half Windsor 6 Feed the wide end of the tie into and through the knot. Stick the tip of the wide side of the tie into the pocket that’s beneath the outer layer of the knot at the base of the neck loop. Once the tip emerges from the bottom of the pocket, tug on it until the entire wide side of the tie is through and below the knot.[7]
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie Half Windsor 7 Tighten the tie around your collar and make final adjustments. To tighten the tie, pull down on the narrow side with your off hand while pushing upward on the knot with your dominant hand. When the tie is as tight as you prefer, the wide side should completely conceal the narrow side of the tie.[8]
    • There’s a good chance that you’ll get the length wrong the first time—or even the first few times!—you try this knot. If the wide side of the tie is too short, undo the entire knot and start over, this time starting with the wide side longer and the thin side shorter. If the wide side ends up too long, start again and do the opposite.
    • If your tie has a carrier loop on the seam side of its wide end, you can slide the narrow side through that loop to prevent it from "peeking" out from behind the wide side of the tie.
    8. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Half Windsor Knot #2

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie Half Windsor 1 Fold up your collar and drape the tie around your neck. The wide end of the tie should be on your dominant hand side of your chest—for example, your right side if you’re right handed. Drape the tie unevenly, so that the tip of the wide end is hanging down about 1 ft (30 cm) lower than the tip of the narrow end.[9]
    • The seam side (underside) of both the wide and narrow ends of the tie should be facing your chest.
    • Stand in front of a mirror while tying this knot.
    • You can tie a Windsor knot into a tie (or a scarf) without tucking it under a collar, of course—just drape it over your collar-less neck to start.
  2. Step 2 Cross the wide end of the tie in front of and over the narrow end. 2 Cross the wide end of the tie in front of and over the narrow end. Use your dominant hand to lift the wide end of the tie away from your chest, then cross it over the front of the narrow end (which you should hold in your off hand). Make the crossover within 3–4 in (7.6–10.2 cm) of the base of your neck, so that you create a fairly small “neck loop” above the crossover point and under your neck.[10]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie Half Windsor 3 Bring the wide end behind and around the narrow end. Basically, you want the wide end of the tie to go all the way around the narrow end once. When you’re finished, the wide end should once again be on the dominant hand side of your chest. However, the seam side should now be facing outward on the wide end (but not the narrow end).[11]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie Half Windsor 4 Lift the wide end and feed it through the neck loop from the front. Lift the tip of the wide side towards your chin, then stick it through the neck loop so that it goes behind the narrow side of the tie. Tug down gently on the wide side to pull it all the way through the neck loop.[12]
    • When you’re done, use your dominant hand to hold the wide end off to the dominant hand side of your chest.
    • The seam should still be facing outward on the wide side, and inward on the narrow side.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie Half Windsor 5 Bring the wide end all the way around the knot at the base of the neck loop. Cross it right over the front of the knot, then continue right around behind the knot. When you’re done, the wide end will be essentially in the same position as when you started—it will just be a little shorter![13]
    • Continue to hold the narrow side of the tie securely in your off hand. You may want to slide your off hand right up to the base of the knot at the bottom of the neck loop.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie Half Windsor 6 Feed the wide end behind the knot, through the neck loop, and over the knot. Grab the tip of the wide end of the tie and bring it up behind the knot at the base of the neck loop. Continue bringing the entire wide end up and through the neck loop, then let it drape down in front to the knot at the base of the neck loop.[14]
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Tie Half Windsor 7 Stick the wide end into and through the knot, then pull it tight. Lift the tip of the wide end and feed it into the pocket that’s just beneath the outer layer of the knot at the base of the neck loop. Stick it down through the bottom of this pocket, then pull on the tip until the entire wide end of the tie has passed through the pocket. Now, it’s time to make your final adjustments![15]
    • Cinch up the tie by pulling down on the narrow end while pushing up on the knot. For the classic look, cinch it up tight (but not too tight!) around your neck, then fold your collar down over it.
    • Don’t feel bad if you didn’t get the length quite right this time! It takes some practice, so undo the entire knot and try again. If the wide side of the tie ended up being too short at the end, try starting with it being even longer in the beginning.
    8. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question Whenever I do the Half Windsor, it's always the thin end that ends up being longer than the wide end after tightening. What am I doing wrong? Community Answer Community Answer You're starting with too much length on the thin end. Try experimenting with lengths to see if that helps. 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 6 Helpful 21
Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Tips

  • If you're tying a tie for someone else, try tying on yourself first since it may be easier.[16] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • The half Windsor knot tends to look best with a medium-thickness tie. Thin ties cause the knot to lose its shape, while thick ties make the knot look too big. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • Because all the loops and passes use up a lot of material, a half Windsor knot works best with a tie that’s on the longer side to begin with. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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

You Might Also Like

Tie a Windsor KnotHow to Tie a Full Windsor Tie: 8 Easy Steps Tie a TieHow toTie a Tie How toTie a Skinny Tie Tie a Tie on Someone ElseHow toTie a Tie on Someone Else Types of Tie Knots25 Classic & Trendy Tie Knots & How to Tie Them (Easy Steps) Tie a Bow TieThe Easy Way to Tie a Perfect Bow Tie Tie a Rose Bud Tie KnotHow toTie a Rose Bud Tie Knot Tie a Trinity KnotHow toTie a Trinity Knot Tie a Belt on a Trench CoatHow to Tie a Coat Belt Tie a DimpleHow toTie a Dimple Tie a Scarf Around the Neck20 Ways to Tie a Scarf: Options for Every Style & Occasion Wrap a TurbanHow toWrap a Turban Wear a Loose TieHow toWear a Loose Tie Make a Crown KnotHow toMake a Crown Knot Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ Chloée Ohayon-Crosby. Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://youtu.be/hDKbdyjnG8E?t=12
  3. ↑ https://youtu.be/hDKbdyjnG8E?t=21
  4. ↑ https://youtu.be/hDKbdyjnG8E?t=26
  5. ↑ https://youtu.be/hDKbdyjnG8E?t=37
  6. ↑ https://youtu.be/hDKbdyjnG8E?t=43
  7. ↑ https://youtu.be/hDKbdyjnG8E?t=51
  8. ↑ https://youtu.be/hDKbdyjnG8E?t=60
  9. ↑ https://www.animatedknots.com/tie-a-half-windsor-necktie-knot
More References (7)
  1. ↑ https://www.animatedknots.com/tie-a-half-windsor-necktie-knot
  2. ↑ https://www.animatedknots.com/tie-a-half-windsor-necktie-knot
  3. ↑ https://www.animatedknots.com/tie-a-half-windsor-necktie-knot
  4. ↑ https://www.animatedknots.com/tie-a-half-windsor-necktie-knot
  5. ↑ https://www.animatedknots.com/tie-a-half-windsor-necktie-knot
  6. ↑ https://www.animatedknots.com/tie-a-half-windsor-necktie-knot
  7. ↑ 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 and by wikiHow staff writer, Christopher M. Osborne, PhD. 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 186,449 times. 5 votes - 80% Co-authors: 23 Updated: October 31, 2025 Views: 186,449 Categories: Knot Tying In other languages Italian Indonesian Japanese
  • Print
  • Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 186,449 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Anonymous

    Anonymous

    Apr 21, 2019

    "I spent 10 minutes on YouTube looking at tutorials that didn't help at all. But when I found this on wikiHow,..." more Rated this article:
Share your story

Did this article help you?

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: 23 Updated: October 31, 2025 Views: 186,449 80% of readers found this article helpful. 5 votes - 80% Click a star to add your vote Anonymous

Anonymous

Apr 21, 2019

"I spent 10 minutes on YouTube looking at tutorials that didn't help at all. But when I found this on wikiHow,..." more Rated this article: Share yours!

Quizzes & Games

What Is My Face Shape QuizWhat Is My Face Shape QuizTake QuizAm I Good at Flirting QuizAm I Good at Flirting QuizTake QuizWhat Men's Haircut Should I Get QuizWhat Men's Haircut Should I Get QuizTake QuizMusic Notes & Symbols TestMusic Notes & Symbols TestTake QuizAm I a Good Kisser QuizAm I a Good Kisser QuizTake QuizAre You a Big Spoon or a Little Spoon QuizAre You a Big Spoon or a Little Spoon QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

Tie a Windsor KnotHow to Tie a Full Windsor Tie: 8 Easy StepsTie a TieHow toTie a TieTie a Skinny TieHow toTie a Skinny TieTie a Tie on Someone ElseHow toTie a Tie on Someone Else

Featured Articles

110+ “Fun Facts” for Interviews, Introductions, & Icebreakers110+ “Fun Facts” for Interviews, Introductions, & IcebreakersHow Long Would You Survive In A Zombie Apocalypse?How Long Would You Survive In A Zombie Apocalypse? Roast Someone in a Rap Battle (Plus the Best Bars of All Time)How to Roast Someone in a Rap Battle (Plus the Best Bars of All Time)What Turns a Girl On? 31 Things to Try on Your PartnerWhat Turns a Girl On? 31 Things to Try on Your PartnerLove AnalyzerLove AnalyzerSending Your Sweetie a Love Note? Here are 200+ Romantic IdeasSending Your Sweetie a Love Note? Here are 200+ Romantic Ideas

Trending Articles

Make OutHow toMake OutWhat Song Was #1 On My Birthday?What Song Was #1 On My Birthday?How Many People Had a Crush on Me This Year? Find Out HereHow Many People Had a Crush on Me This Year? Find Out HereBest Personality TestBest Personality TestDo I Have Common Sense QuizDo I Have Common Sense QuizDaily Horoscope (All Signs): What Do The Stars Predict Today?✩⟡˚₊‧Daily Horoscope (All Signs): What Do The Stars Predict Today?✩⟡˚₊‧

Featured Articles

Exercise Your BrainHow toExercise Your BrainBe a Fun Person to Hang out WithHow toBe a Fun Person to Hang out WithWhat Does Your Morning Routine Say About You?What Does Your Morning Routine Say About You?Develop Productive HabitsHow toDevelop Productive HabitsPractice Self CareHow toPractice Self CareWhat Song Matches Your Life Right Now?What Song Matches Your Life Right Now?

Featured Articles

Your 2026 Vision: What Does Next Year Hold?Your 2026 Vision: What Does Next Year Hold?Understanding the Most Attractive Face Shapes (& Determining Your Own)Understanding the Most Attractive Face Shapes (& Determining Your Own)Type A B C D Personality TestType A B C D Personality Test250+ Messages to Reassure Your Partner (For Him & Her)250+ Messages to Reassure Your Partner (For Him & Her)What Is My Favorite Color QuizWhat Is My Favorite Color Quiz215+ Funny & Creative Personalized Vanity Plate Ideas215+ Funny & Creative Personalized Vanity Plate Ideas

Watch Articles

Deep Clean Your Kitchen Sink (& Keep It Clean)How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen Sink (& Keep It Clean) Curl Your Hair: 8 Easy & Quick WaysHow to Curl Your Hair: 8 Easy & Quick WaysThicken Sauce with FlourHow toThicken Sauce with Flour Brighten Up White Shirts and Other GarmentsHow to Brighten Up White Shirts and Other Garments Cook White Rice without a Rice CookerHow to Cook White Rice without a Rice Cooker Clean Out the Inside of a Glass Bottle (With or Without a Brush)How to Clean Out the Inside of a Glass Bottle (With or Without a Brush)

Trending Articles

Compatibility TestCompatibility TestWhat Am I Craving QuizWhat Am I Craving Quiz150 Unique & Sentimental Ways to Say “Happy New Year”150 Unique & Sentimental Ways to Say “Happy New Year”30+ New Year’s Eve Games to Keep Your NYE Party Going30+ New Year’s Eve Games to Keep Your NYE Party GoingWhich Hogwarts House Do You Truly Belong In?Which Hogwarts House Do You Truly Belong In?Toxic Family TestToxic Family Test

Quizzes & Games

Finish the Phrase QuizFinish the Phrase QuizTake QuizWhat Tarot Card Am I QuizWhat Tarot Card Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Eyeliner Type Looks Best on Me QuizWhat Eyeliner Type Looks Best on Me QuizTake QuizHow Awkward Am I QuizHow Awkward Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Do I Look Like QuizWhat Do I Look Like QuizTake QuizWhat Is My Kibbe Body Type QuizWhat Is My Kibbe Body Type QuizTake Quiz wikiHow
  • Categories
  • Hobbies and Crafts
  • Knot Tying
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
  • Home
  • About wikiHow
  • Experts
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info
  • Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

Let's go! X --791

Tag » How Tie A Half Windsor Knot