Tying a tie is a skill most people learn once, badly, from a YouTube video the morning they need it. The result is a crooked knot, wrong length, and no dimple — fine from a distance, visibly off up close. Learning four knots properly takes about 20 minutes and covers every situation from job interviews to black-tie events.
What changed in 2026
- Ties are back in mainstream professional settings after a few years of "business casual" dominance; many companies reinstated dress codes post-hybrid-work shifts.
- Slim ties remain current but the pendulum is swinging slightly wider (2.5–3 in / 6–8 cm); the Four-in-Hand and Kelvin knots are ideal for both widths.
- Mirror apps and wearable cameras make self-checking easier — but nothing replaces knowing the technique by hand.
The length rule
The tip of the tie should reach the centre of your belt buckle or waistband — not above it, not below it. Get this right before evaluating the knot.
Which knot for which collar
| Collar type |
Best knot |
| Point / narrow spread |
Four-in-Hand, Kelvin |
| Medium spread (most dress shirts) |
Half Windsor, Four-in-Hand |
| Wide / cutaway spread |
Full Windsor, Half Windsor |
| Button-down collar |
Four-in-Hand only (softer knot fits the casual nature) |
| Formal / black tie |
Full Windsor or Kelvin |
The Four-in-Hand (default)
- Drape the tie around your collar, wide end on your right, hanging ~12 in lower than the narrow end.
- Cross the wide end over the narrow end.
- Wrap the wide end underneath from right to left.
- Bring the wide end over the front again, left to right.
- Slide the wide end up through the neck loop from underneath.
- Tuck the wide end down through the horizontal band across the front.
- Pull down gently, pinching with your thumb and forefinger just below the knot to form the dimple, then tighten.
Result: a slim, slightly asymmetric knot — appropriate for almost every occasion.
The Half Windsor
- Start the same as above with the wide end ~12 in lower.
- Cross the wide end over the narrow end.
- Take the wide end up through the neck loop from underneath, then back down.
- Bring the wide end around the front from left to right.
- Bring it back up through the neck loop.
- Tuck it down through the horizontal front band.
- Form the dimple and tighten.
Result: a symmetrical triangular knot, medium size, suits most collars.
The Full Windsor
- Start with the wide end ~16 in lower than the narrow end (you will use more length).
- Cross wide over narrow.
- Bring the wide end up through the neck loop and down to the right.
- Pass the wide end behind the narrow end from right to left.
- Bring it up through the neck loop again and down to the left.
- Bring the wide end across the front from left to right.
- Pass up through the neck loop once more.
- Tuck down through the front horizontal band.
- Dimple and tighten carefully — this knot can end up uneven if rushed.
Result: a large, very symmetrical knot. Only use with wide-spread collars; it looks blocky on point collars.
Common mistakes
Wrong starting length. Most people start with the wide end too short, run out of fabric, and end up with the tie too short or with an exposed narrow end. For the Four-in-Hand, start with the wide end 12 in lower. Full Windsor needs 16 in lower.
No dimple. A tie without a dimple looks unfinished on a dress shirt. Pinch before the final tighten — every time.
Knot not centred. As you tighten, use both hands to guide the knot to sit directly under the collar's top button.
Tie too short or too long. Adjust starting position until the tip reliably hits the belt buckle. Mark the tie lightly with a fabric pen at the starting position if you wear it regularly.
What to skip
- The Pratt/Shelby knot unless you enjoy knots for their own sake — the Half Windsor is equivalent and better documented.
- Skinny 1.5 in (4 cm) ties with a Full Windsor — the proportions are comically wrong.
- Polyester ties for formal events — silk or silk-blend ties hold a dimple and drape correctly; polyester springs back and wrinkles visibly.
FAQ
How do I keep the narrow end hidden?
Most ties have a keeper loop on the back of the wide end — slide the narrow end through it. If yours does not, a small tie bar about one-third down from the collar holds both layers in place.
My tie always ends up crooked — why?
Usually the wrap in step 3 of the Four-in-Hand is not straight. Make sure the wide end crosses squarely in front of the narrow end before wrapping.
How do I get the length right consistently?
After finding the right starting position, put a small stitch or use a removable fabric pen mark at the starting point on the narrow end. After a few wears it becomes muscle memory.
Can I leave a tie knotted between wearings?
Do not leave the knot tied — the constant tension damages the fabric at the fold. Untie it, loosen it fully, and hang or roll loosely.
Where to go next
For related professional dressing and skills, see How to iron a shirt in 2026, How to sew on a button in 2026, and How to write a cover letter in 2026.