How To Tie A Necktie

Whether you are coming to this page from our site www.pilottie.com or simply came from a search engine, you are at the right place to learn how to tie a necktie.  Tying a simple necktie knot (like the four-in-hand) seems like something that I have always known how to do, but I found out that some styles of neckties required more complex knots achieve a top-class appearance.  The knots that I know how to tie the best are the Windsor, Half-Windsor and Four-In-Hand.  These are the most common knots that I will describe for you in this page.  I have done a lot of research on the proper way to tie a necktie and have tried to make the instructions as easy as possible with good, clear illustrations. If you run into problems with the instructions or something is unclear, please send us an email and we will make the necessary changes.  Thanks for stopping by.

  
 
               

What Type of Knot is the Best?

When deciding how to tie a necktie, the first thing you need to do is chose what style of knot to use.  The most common knots that are used for professional looking neckties are the Half Windsor,  Windsor and Four-In-Hand.  Your choice in the type of knot depends on the fabric of the necktie (thickness), the length that you want the tie to be and overall appearance of the knot.

  
 
               

Proper Necktie Length

A necktie is tied to the proper length when the tip of the tie lies directly in line with the bottom of your belt buckle.  If you are having problems getting the desired length for you necktie, you might need to use a different style of knot.  Check out the knot styles to see which ones will make the tie shorter or longer.  The Windsor will be the thickest knot, making your tie length shorter, followed by the Half Windsor and the Four-In-Hand, which will be a smallest knot.

  
 
               

 

Proper Placement of a Tie Tack

A great accessory to any necktie is the tie-tack.  The tie tack should be placed at the exact center of the necktie.  To determine the center of the necktie, take the tip of the tie and fold it to the base of the knot.  Place your tie tack at the fold.  The real purpose of the tie tack is to hold the small end of the tie in place, so make sure to put the tack through both the large and small ends of the tie.

 

 
How to Make a Perfect Dimple in Your Tie

Everyone wants to have a necktie with a perfect dimple just below the knot and it is a very easy thing to do.  After you are done tying your tie, but before you have completely tightened the knot, hold you finger on the center of the necktie slightly inside the knot.  Then you simply push on the middle of the tie and squeeze the edges as you tighten the knot.  The dimple will work best with the Windsor and Half Windsor knots.  If you are using a Four-In-Hand knot it will be tough to get a nice looking dimple.

  
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Half Windsor Knot

The Half Windsor is a simple, professional looking knot for your necktie.  The Half Windsor is a large knot that has a nice uniform shape to it.  This knot is usually used with uniform ties that are made of  thick materials like polyester and wool, but will work good with most necktie materials.  If the knot appears to be too large, you may want to use a Four-In-Hand knot with your necktie.  The Half Windsor knot will make your necktie shorter, if you are tall you may also want to try the Four-In-Hand knot.

    

Instructions how to tie a Half Windsor knot

    
Step 1. Cross the large end of the necktie over the small end.   Step 1.

Start out with the large end of the necktie on your right side and the small end on your left.  The small end of the necktie should extend past your collar about one foot depending on how long you want the tie to be.  Cross the large end of the tie over the small end as shown.

 

    
Step 2. Move large end of necktie underneath the small end of tie.   Step 2.

Fold the large end of the necktie underneath the small end.  When looking at the necktie, the large end should now be backwards with the ties tag showing.

 

    
Step 3. Wrap the large end of the necktie through the loop of the tie.   Step 3.

Move the large end of the necktie through the loop of the tie.  It should wrap around the small loop on the right hand side of the necktie.  Pull the large end of the necktie tight.  Once again you should be able to see the tag of the necktie.

 

    
Step 4. Cross the large end of the tie over the knot.   Step 4.

Move the large end of the necktie over the knot.  The tag of the tie should now be against your shirt.

 

    
Step 5. Pull the large end of the necktie through the loop.   Step 5.

Take the large end of the necktie and pull it through the loop.

 

    
Step 6. Pull the large end of the tie throught the knot and tighten the necktie.   Step 6.

Starting with the tip of the large end of the necktie, pull it down through the knot.  Pull the large end of the necktie tight and adjust the knot so it looks uniform and tight.  Pull the necktie tight by holding the knot and pulling on the small end of the tie.  To get a nice dimple in you tie, push on the middle of the of the tie and squeeze the sides up into the knot.

 

    
                 
Windsor Knot

The Windsor knot is the most professional looking knot for your necktie.  The Windsor knot is a large knot that has a nice uniform shape to it.  This knot is usually used with silk neckties or ties that are made of thin materials.  If the knot appears to be too large you may want to use a Half Windsor or Four-In-Hand knot with your necktie.  The Windsor knot will make your necktie shorter, if you are tall you may also want to try the Half Windsor or Four-in-Hand knot.

    

Instructions how to tie a Windsor knot

    

Step 1. Cross the large end of the necktie over the small end.

   Step 1.

Start out with the large end of the necktie on your right side and the small end on your left.  The small end of the necktie should extend past your collar about one foot depending on how long you want the tie to be.  Cross the large end of the tie over the small end as shown.

    
Step 2. Move the large end of the necktie up through the loop of the tie.   Step 2.

Bring the large end of the necktie up through the loop of the tie.

    
Step 3. Bring the large end back down over the loop of the tie.   Step 3.

Move the large end of the necktie back down over the loop of the tie and back to your left side.

    
Step 4. Move the large end underneath the small end of the tie.   Step 4.

Now take the large end of the necktie and move it underneath the back of the tie.  The tag of the necktie should be showing.

    
Step 5. Wrap the large end of the necktie through the loop.   Step 5.

Wrap the wide end of the necktie through the top of loop on the right side of the loop.  Once again the tag of the necktie should be showing.

    
Step 6. Cross the large end over the knot of the tie.   Step 6.

Move the large end of the necktie over the knot.  The tag of the tie should now be against your shirt.

    
Step 7. Pull the large end through the loop of the tie.   Step 7.

Take the large end of the necktie and pull it through the loop.

    
Step 8. Move the large end through the knot and tighten the necktie.   Step 8.

Starting with the tip of the large end of the necktie, pull it down through the knot.  Pull the large end of the necktie tight and adjust the knot so it looks uniform and tight.  Pull the necktie tight by holding the knot and pulling on the small end of the tie.  To get a nice dimple in you tie, push on the middle of the of the tie and squeeze the sides up into the knot.

    
                 
Four-In-Hand Knot

One of the easiest ways to tie a necktie is using the Four-In-Hand knot.  If tied correctly this knot will still have a professional appearance.  In fact, most zipper ties and clip on ties use a knot that is similar to the Four-In-Hand knot.  This knot is less complex and only wraps around a couple of times, tall people will find it to be desirable if they can not achieve their desired necktie length with other methods.

    

Instructions how to tie a Four-In-Hand knot

    
Step 1. Cross the large end of the necktie over the small end of the tie.   Step 1.

Start out with the large end of the necktie on your right side and the small end on your left.  The small end of the necktie should extend past your collar about one foot depending on how long you want the tie to be.  Cross the large end of the tie over the small end as shown.

    
Step 2. Fold the large end underneathe the small end.   Step 2.

Fold the large end of the necktie underneath the small end.  When looking at the necktie, the large end should now be backwards with the ties tag showing.

    
Step 3. Fold the large end across the tie.   Step 3.

Move the large end of the necktie over the the top of the tie.  The tag of the necktie should now be against your shirt.

    
Step 4. Pull the large end through the loop of the tie.   Step 4.

Take the large end of the necktie and pull it through the loop.

    
Step 5. Pull the large end through the knot and tighten the necktie.   Step 5.

Starting with the tip of the large end of the necktie, pull it down through the knot.  Pull the large end of the necktie tight and adjust the knot so it looks uniform and tight.  Pull the necktie tight by holding the knot and pulling on the small end of the tie.  To get a dimple in you tie, push on the middle of the of the tie and squeeze the sides up into the knot.

Note:  It is a little harder to get a nice dimple using the four in hand knot.

    
                 

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