Standard and Popular way of tying a Tie

How to Tie a Four-in-hand Knot

Brief Description of the Four-in-hand Knot

The four-in-hand knot is the easiest to learn among the four most commonly used tie knots (the four-in-hand knot, the half-Windsor knot, the Windsor knot and the Pratt knot). It is a small tie knot that suits shirts with a narrow collar opening and is suitable for most occasions. However, the four-in-hand knot is asymmetric, which does not look good on wide collar shirts.

Instructions for Tying a Four-in-hand Knot

The instructions for tying a four-in-hand knot are shown below. We assume that you are right-handed in the following instructions. The figures below are mirror images. They are what you will see if you stand in front of a mirror.

1. At the beginning, the wide end of the tie should be on your right side and the other end should be on your left side.

2. Cross the wide end over the other end. Now three regions are formed (Left, Right and Center).

3. Bring the wide end underneath the narrow end from Left to Right.

4. Bring the wide end over from Right to Left.

5. Bring the wide end under the knot to the Center region.

6. Bring the wide end down and pass the loop in front. Ensure that the knot is tightened.

7. Use one hand to pull the narrow end down gently and use the other hand to move the knot up until it reaches the center of the collar.

Comparing the Most Commonly Used Necktie Knots

Today, four necktie knots are in widespread use. They are the four-in-hand knot, the half-Windsor knot, the Windsor knot and the Pratt knot. The first three are classic necktie knots that have been used for a long time. The Pratt knot is a more recent necktie knot that was introduced to the public in 1989.

Below shows a comparison table of the four necktie knots, together with the bow tie. It helps you find the answer to the first question that may come up in your mind -- Which necktie knots do I need? Click the links on the left to see the instructions on tying a certain knot.

Necktie Knot	Advantage	Disadvantage	Suitable Outfits / Occasions
Four-in-hand Knot	It is the easiest to learn among the four most commonly used necktie knots.	It is asymmetric, which does not look good on wide collar shirts.	It is a small tie knot that suits shirts with a narrow collar opening. It is suitable for most occasions.
Half-Windsor Knot (Way 1) (Way 2) (To save time, learn either way 1 or way 2.)	It is symmetric. More business like than the four-in-hand knot.	It is a little bit more difficult to tie than the four-in-hand knot.	It is suitable for most occasions.
Windsor Knot (Way 1) (Way 2) (Way 3) (Way 4) (To save time, learn either way 1 or way 2.)	It is symmetric. It gives a sense of nobility. It is a large necktie knot that looks elegant on wide collar shirts.	If you use a tie made of thick materials, the resulting knot will be too large. It is not suitable for narrow collar shirts.	It suits shirts with a wide collar opening. It looks fabulous in business and political occasions.
Pratt Knot	It is a symmetric necktie knot with an average size (sits between the four-in-hand knot and the half-Windsor knot). It does not look too wide or too narrow. It looks neat.	The back of the narrow end of the necktie faces up, which does not look good if it is not well hidden behind the wide end.	It is suitable for most shirts and occasions.
Bow Tie	It looks more formal. It gives a superior appearance.	It is more difficult to tie a bow tie than a long necktie. More practices are needed to get a proper shape.	It is suitable for formal or high-class occasions such as weddings, balls, etc.

Source: http://www.totieatie.com/