Master Essential Tie Knots: Four-in-Hand & Half-Windsor - A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Tie a Tie

How to Tie a Tie

Just how many different ways are there to tie a knot? Well...in 1999 two physicists from Cambridge University developed a formula to calculate and classify 85 different ways to tie a tie! [source: Theory of Tie Knots]. While none of us are ever likely to use that many tie knots, we can show you how to tie two popular knots: the Four-in-Hand and the Half-Windsor [source: How to Tie a Tie].

First, the Four-in Hand knot:

1. Place the tie around your neck, under the collar, with the wide end on your right, about 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) lower than the narrow side.
2. Pass the wide side over the narrow side.
3. Now pass the wide side behind the narrow end.
4. Pass wide side over the narrow side again.
5. Bring the wide end behind the narrow side and pull it through the loop near your neck.
6. Hold the loop open with an index finger and pass the wide end through the front of the loop.
7. Take your finger out and gently tighten and slide the knot to the collar while holding the narrow end.

Now for the Half-Windsor knot:

1. Place the tie around your neck, under the collar, with the wide end on your right, about 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) lower than the narrow side.
2. Pass the wide side over the narrow side.
3. Pass the wide side behind the narrow side.
4. Bring the wide end up and pull it through the right side of the loop near your neck.
5. Pass wide side over the narrow side again.
6. Bring the wide end behind the narrow side and pass it through the loop.
7. Pass the wide end through the knot in front.
8. Gently tighten and slide the knot up to the collar using both hands.

Launch Video Climber Ties a Knot