within

WITHIN · FIELD GUIDE · Revised November 5, 2026

How to tie a tie: the three knots worth knowing

Eighty five knots exist. You need three, and the first one takes thirty seconds once your hands know it.

Before you start

Button the collar, turn it up, and drape the tie around your neck with the seam facing in and the wide end on your right. For a four in hand, start the wide end about a hand's length lower than the narrow end. Start it lower again for the bigger knots, which use more of the tie. Each step below says where the wide end goes; the narrow end never moves.

The four in hand

Narrow and slightly lopsided. It suits point and button down collars and thick ties.

  1. Cross the wide end over the narrow end, to the left.
  2. Take it behind the narrow end, to the right.
  3. Bring it across the front again, to the left. This makes the band of the knot.
  4. Push it up through the neck loop from underneath.
  5. Tuck it down through the band in front.
  6. Hold the narrow end and slide the knot up snug to the collar.

The half Windsor

A neat triangle of medium size. It works with light and medium weight ties and with most collars.

  1. Cross the wide end over the narrow end, to the left.
  2. Take it behind the narrow end, to the right.
  3. Bring it up to the neck loop and pull it down through the loop, to the left.
  4. Bring it across the front, to the right. This makes the band.
  5. Push it up through the neck loop from underneath.
  6. Tuck it down through the band in front, and tighten.

The Windsor

Wide and balanced, named after the Duke of Windsor. It suits spread and cutaway collars.

  1. Cross the wide end over the narrow end, to the left.
  2. Bring it up under the crossing and out through the neck loop.
  3. Bring it down over to the right.
  4. Take it behind the knot, out to the left.
  5. Bring it up to the centre and down through the neck loop, out to the right.
  6. Bring it across the front, to the left. This makes the band.
  7. Push it up through the neck loop from underneath.
  8. Tuck it down through the band in front, and pull both ends gently to tighten.

Which knot, which collar

KnotSizeCollarTie
Four in handNarrow, slightly lopsidedPoint, button downAny, best with thick wool or knit ties
Half WindsorMedium triangleMost collarsLight and medium weight silk
WindsorWide, balancedSpread, cutawayLight silk, longer ties

Match the tie's width to the jacket's lapels: a slim lapel wants a slim tie. Collars are sorted by the gap between their points, and the shirt collar guide measures each one.

Fixes for the usual problems

  • Too short: untie and start with the wide end lower.
  • Narrow end hangs below the wide end: start the wide end lower, or tuck the narrow end into the keeper loop on the back.
  • Knot looks loose: pull the narrow end down while you slide the knot up, holding the band.
  • No dimple: press a finger into the middle of the band as you tighten.

Ties and shirts on within

Ties, dress shirts and suits at the boutiques today, with their prices.

Common questions

What is the easiest way to tie a tie?
The four in hand. Cross the wide end over the narrow end and wrap it behind. Bring it across the front again, up through the neck loop from underneath, and down through the band you just made. Slide the knot up to the collar.
How long should a tie be when tied?
The tip of the wide end should reach the top of your belt buckle. If it falls short, start with the wide end lower; if it runs past the belt, start it higher.
Which tie knot goes with which collar?
A narrow four in hand suits point and button down collars. The half Windsor fits most collars. The wide Windsor suits spread and cutaway collars, which leave room for it.
What is the difference between a Windsor and a half Windsor?
The Windsor wraps the neck loop on both sides and makes a wide, balanced knot. The half Windsor wraps one side only and makes a neat triangle in between the four in hand and the Windsor in size.
How many ways are there to tie a tie?
Thomas Fink and Yong Mao counted 85 with a conventional tie in their 1999 book, The 85 Ways to Tie a Tie. Three of them cover almost every shirt you will own.

Sources

Ties and shirts in stock now, to check against this guide

Song for the Mute, Astrid Andersen, Travis Scott and more, from the boutiques on within.