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So you’ve bought yourself a smart new neck tie but the only knot you know is the one you learnt at school. Well help is at hand as we’ve created a resource to teach you the four most common tie knots you can perform.

We recommend you check out our guide to mens ties to pick up the perfect accompaniment to your shirt.

How to tie a Four in hand knot

The Four-in-hand knot is one of the easiest knots to master and with it you can create a contemporary and discreet knot. This knot is also recommended for men who have a shorter neck as its form stretches the perceived height of the wearers neck. Use the diagram opposite alongside with the following instruction.

1) Take the widest end of the tie on the left side and extend approximately one foot below the narrow side of the tie.

2) Cross the widest end of the tie over the narrowest end.

3) The wide end now needs to go underneath the narrow end.

4) Do the same thing and bring the wide end back over in front of the narrow end.

5) Now take the wide end and pull it up and through the loop.

6) Finally hold the knot loosely and  bring the wide end of the tie down through the front loop and tighten. Hey presto you’ve just created a four-in-hand knot.

How to tie a Shelby knot

The Shelby Knot is so called as it was a trend set off by
Don Shelby (even though it was originally created by  Jerry Pratt). It’s a great knot if you are looking for a fairly wide knot that fits perfectly with any shirt. Follow the instructions below so you can master this technique.

Start with the tie inside out with the wider end around 10 inches below the narrow end (positioned on your left).

Now take the wide end and cross it under the narrow end and take it over and under, pull the loop down and tighten.

Now take the wide end over to the right and pull it up and behind the loop.

Finally you’ll need to bring the wide end through the knot and tighten accordingly.

How to tie a Semi-Windsor knot

There aren’t many times you want a semi however if you are looking to create a symmetrical and triangular tie knot then this is the one for you. The semi-Windsor can be worn with most formal shirts however a tie made from a lighter material such as silk would be ideal.

Firstly you should take the widest part of the tie and bring it down about 12 inches below the narrow end of your neck tie.

You then need to cross the wide end over the narrow end and bring it up through the loop. Once done you’ll need to bring the widest part back down again.

Almost there. Now pull the wide end underneath the narroe part and move it to the right, take it back through the loop and to the right again with the result that the wide end is inside out.

Finally take the wide end across the front from right to left and pull it through the loop again. Bring the wide end down and carefully tighten the knot to create a perfect semi-Windsor.

How to tie a Full Windsor knot

The Full Windsor can be a tricky knot to master but when done correctly you’ll end up with a triangular and thick knot perfect for the work place or formal event. In addition if you are a gentleman with a longer neck then this knot shortens the perceived height of the neck. So enough of the waffle lets explain how you tie this knot.

1) To start with take the widest part of the tie on the left and extend it about a foot below the narrowest part of the tie. 

2) Bring the widest end up through the loop that’s been created between collar and tie and bring it back down again.

3) Now pull the widest end underneath the narrow end and to the right.

4) Bring the widest part back through the loop and to the right so that it is inside out.

5) You now need to take the wide end again and bring it across the front from right to left and slip it through the loop.

6) Finally to finish the Windsor knot bring the wide end down and tighten slowly and carefully. Good job sir.