Many men learn the Windsor from videos, follow every step correctly, then look in the mirror and see a knot the size of a child's fist sitting under the chin. The fault is rarely in the hands. Most of the time it comes from choosing the wrong tie or the wrong collar. This article explains how to tie a Windsor knot step by step, along with the conditions that keep a big knot elegant.
The short answer
The Windsor (or Full Windsor, which many people call the Double Windsor) is an evenly shaped, large, symmetrical triangular tie knot, tied in 8 steps and needing a long tie. It suits a wide spread collar and a thin silk tie best; with a narrow collar or a thick tie, use a smaller knot.
Which collar suits a Windsor knot?
The knot must fill the space between the two collar points, no more and no less. A big knot on a narrow collar gets pushed up into a bulging lump; a small knot on a spread collar leaves a bare gap where the collar looks empty.
| Knot | Shape | Suitable collar | Suitable tie |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four-in-hand | Small, slightly off-centre, long | Narrow collar, button-down collar | Any type, including thick ties |
| Half Windsor | Medium, symmetrical, triangular | Classic, medium collar | Silk, thin wool |
| Windsor (Full) | Large, symmetrical, an even triangle | Wide spread collar (spread, cutaway) | Thin silk, medium width |
So it is the collar that decides the knot. If you are unsure between collar styles, read the article “men's shirt collar styles” in the Handbook category.
How to tie a Windsor knot in 8 steps
The instructions below are for right-handed people. The wide end is the broad tail of the tie and the narrow end is the thin tail.
- Drape the tie around your neck, wide end on the right, narrow end on the left. The wide end should hang about 30 cm lower than the narrow end, because the Windsor uses more length than other knots.
- Cross the wide end over the front of the narrow end, to the left.
- Bring the wide end up above the neck loop, passing it up from below through the space between your neck and the tie, then drop it down on the left side.
- Wrap the wide end behind the narrow end, going across from left to right.
- Bring the wide end up to the neck loop once more, passing it up from below, then drop it down on the right side.
- Lay the wide end across the front, from right to left, covering the knot that is taking shape.
- Bring the wide end up to the neck loop one last time, passing it up from below, then let the wide end hang in front of your chest.
- Pass the wide end down through the layer of fabric across the front of the knot, hold the narrow end, pull the wide end gently down to tighten the knot, then slide the knot up snug against the collar.
A small tip: when sliding the knot up, hold it with your thumb and index finger on either side to shape an even triangle instead of pulling roughly in one direction.
When should you tie a Windsor?
The Windsor is the knot for occasions that call for clear polish: an important meeting, meeting partners, a wedding, an evening party or an event with a dress code. It is more formal than the four-in-hand and gives the impression that the outfit has been carefully thought through. On the other hand, on ordinary workdays, or when it is hot and humid and you are moving around a lot, a more compact knot is far more comfortable. A large knot with many layers of fabric around the neck can leave you feeling stifled and constantly adjusting it.
So you do not have to tie a Windsor every day. Treat it as the choice for moments when you want to emphasise formality, then tie the Windsor knot to suit the collar and the tie, as described above.
Choosing a tie so the Windsor knot is not oversized
The tie decides more than half of the result. Three things to check:
- Material. Thin silk or woven silk, without thick lining, gives a crisp knot. Wool ties and ties with a thick lining make the knot swell into a round lump.
- Tie width. A width of about 7 to 8 cm is balanced for a Windsor. A tie that is too wide makes the knot even bigger; one that is too narrow makes a small, thin knot.
- Length. A standard tie is about 145 to 150 cm long. For men taller than 1.80 m or with a larger neck, look for a slightly longer one; tying a Windsor with a short tie, so that the wide end does not reach the belt, is the most common mistake.
The finishing rule stays the same: the wide end of the tie reaches about the belt buckle, and the narrow end hides behind the wide end or tucks into the keeper loop. You can read the details in the article how long a tie should be.
How do you make the finished knot balanced and elegant?
A Windsor looks good when it is symmetrical. After tying, check the following:
- The knot sits exactly in the centre of the collar, with the two collar points hugging both sides and no gap.
- The width of the knot is roughly equal to its height. If the knot is much bigger than the space between the collar points, switch to a Half Windsor.
- A dimple under the knot. When sliding the knot up, press gently with your index finger on the tie just below the knot to form an indented fold. The dimple gives the tie depth and a softer look.
- The shirt collar wraps the knot. The collar closes just enough to show only the knot, not the whole loop of the tie behind it.
A well-fitting suit and shirt also contribute: a shirt collar that is too loose will make the collar warp upward, however good the knot.
Common mistakes when tying a Windsor
- The wide end only slightly lower than the narrow end. After tying, the wide end only reaches the chest. Start with the wide end about 30 cm lower than the narrow end.
- The knot sits off to one side. This is usually caused by pulling in one direction. Keep both sides even and pull slowly.
- Tying a Windsor on a narrow collar. You will see the collar spread apart and the knot riding up over the neck. Choose a Half Windsor or a four-in-hand.
- Tying too tight. The knot should sit comfortably in the collar, and you should still be able to slide a finger between your neck and the tie.
- Not pressing out the creases in the tie. A crumpled silk tie will not make a nice dimple.
Practising and untying your tie properly
Learning how to tie a Windsor knot takes practice, because there are many steps; you need to try it a few times in front of a mirror before your hands get used to it. Practise in the evening, not on the morning of a meeting. The first time may take a few minutes, but after five or six tries your hands will remember the order. When practising, use a thin silk tie rather than an expensive one, so you do not mind if it gets creased.
When untying, do not pull the wide end hard through the knot. Loosen the knot, then undo the loops in reverse order from how they were tied. This keeps the tie from creasing and keeps it flat for next time. At the end of the day, hang the tie straight or roll it loosely; do not leave it knotted in a drawer.
If the Windsor feels difficult, you can start with the Half Windsor: the same triangular shape but more compact, with fewer steps. You can find out how in the article how to tie a Half Windsor tie.
Frequently asked questions
Is tying a double Windsor different from tying a Windsor?
In practice, the two names refer to one knot: the Full Windsor. Some places call it the Double Windsor because the knot wraps around twice. The Half Windsor is the smaller version, wrapping only once.
Which collar suits a tie with a Windsor knot?
The Windsor suits a wide spread collar best, where the two collar points leave a large space for the knot. A medium classic collar suits the Half Windsor. A button-down collar and a narrow collar should use a small knot.
How long does a tie for a Windsor knot need to be?
A tie of about 145 to 150 cm is enough for most gentlemen under 1.80 m. Taller men or those with a larger neck should choose a longer one, because the Windsor uses more length than an ordinary knot.
Which tie knot looks the most elegant?
There is no single absolutely elegant knot. Elegant is a knot that fits the collar, balanced and neat. The Windsor suits a formal suit, the Half Windsor suits every day, and the four-in-hand suits thick ties. Choose the knot by the collar and you will not go wrong.
An invitation from Mon Amie
A great tie starts with a shirt that fits at the neck and a suit that fits at the shoulders. If you would like to try ties alongside a particular suit or collar, visit a Mon Amie showroom or learn more about the attire and etiquette consultation session for your company's team.