Tying a necktie is a skill every gentleman needs to master. The knot is a fundamental aspect of the tie and can elevate your look. There are a lot of different kinds of knots ranging from simple and classy to complicated and impressive, so it can be overwhelming to know which one to wear. Some knots are also considered more formal than others and should be worn for different occasions. We’ve put together a guide of the four most common knots which details the main aspects of each and links to step-by-step guides on how to achieve them. 

Types of Necktie Knots

Image from Ties.com

Simple Knot

This knot goes by a few different names including oriental and kent. It's arguably one of the easiest to make which makes it great for beginners. This tie works best for casual and business looks but is versatile enough to wear to any occasion. It has a more modern look and can be paired with most type of collars and used with most tie materials. View a step by step guide and video to create this tie on ties.com.

 

 

 

Image from ties.com

Windsor

The windsor is one of the most common types of knots. It’s easy to master and many men’s go-to style for formal occasions. It looks best with shirts that have an open and wider collar and is ideal for long ties. View our last blog post for a step by step guide with pictures to learn how to tie this knot.

 

 

 

Image from tiemart.com

Four In Hand Knot

The four in hand is another relatively simple and well known knot. It has a similar appearance to the simple knot but is smaller, a little more asymmetrical, and pairs well with all shirt collars. It’s not considered as dressy as a knot like the Windsor and therefore is not ideal for formal occasions such as a wedding, graduation or charity event. Learn how to tie this knot on tie-a-tie.net.

 

 

 

Image from tiemart.com

Pratt Knot

Also known as a shelby knot, the pratt has a clean look that is perfect for formal occasions. Similar to the windsor, but less wide, it is best suited to be worn with open collar shirts. Ideally, it should be used with a tie that is not too thick or thin and is made from a medium weight fabric. Follow these simple step by step instructions from Otta.com to learn how to tie this knot!