Written by Ben Chuang

I've always been bad at tying ties. It can be a complicated process that involves YouTube videos and lots of trial and error in front of the mirror.

No machine-readable author provided. Pumbaa80 assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Fortunately, a half-Windsor tie knot is one of the easier tie knots to learn, and we've also made a helpful YouTube tutorial to simplify the process. Let's get into it!

To tie a Half Windsor knot:

1. Start with the wide end on your left, hanging lower than the narrow end.

2. Loop the wide end over the narrow end, pulling it back to the left.

3. Bring the wide end under the narrow end back to the right.

4. Take the wide end up and over the loop you created. Pull down and to the left.

5. Bring the wide end over through the back to the left side.

6. Take the wide end and pull it up through the inside neck loop.

7. Pull the wide end down through the front neck loop.

8. Adjust and tighten as necessary.

This knot gives a polished, professional appearance and works well with narrower collar types.

A half-Windsor knot looks great with professional dress shirts such as The Crescent.

Check out our article on different ways to tie a tie to explore other essential tie knots.

Frequently Asked Questions about Half Windsor Knot

What is the difference between a full and Half Windsor knot?

The Full Windsor knot is larger, more symmetrical, and triangular, making it ideal for wide spread collars. The Half Windsor knot is slightly smaller, offering a neater, less bulky look that’s perfect for medium and narrow collars.

How to tie 1/2 windsor?

To tie a Half Windsor, start with the wide end of the tie on your right, crossing it over the narrow end, then loop it up through the neck and bring it down to the left before bringing it back across, up, and through the loop to finish. This creates a medium-sized, symmetrical knot with a classic look.

Is half-Windsor symmetrical?

Yes, the Half Windsor is a symmetrical knot, featuring a balanced triangular shape that looks polished and professional.

How to tie a half knot?

A half knot, commonly known as the Half Windsor, involves crossing the wide end over the narrow end, looping it around, and finishing with a pull through the loop at the neck, creating a sleek and slightly asymmetrical knot.