How to Tie a Double Windsor Knot, Step by Step
A double Windsor knot, also called a full Windsor, is tied by starting with the wide end about 6 to 7 inches lower than the narrow end. You wrap the wide end around the neck loop on both sides, cross it over the front, then pass it up through the loop and down through the front band. The result is a wide, symmetrical triangle.
What you need before you start
A double Windsor needs a spread or cutaway collar and a tie of medium or lighter weight. The knot is bulky, so it suits wide collar openings and looks oversized with a narrow point collar.
- A standard-length tie, roughly 57 to 60 inches. Extra-long ties work too, but the knot uses a lot of fabric.
- A collared dress shirt with the top button fastened.
- A mirror, at least for your first few tries.
How do you tie a double Windsor knot step by step?
The double Windsor takes seven moves, and each wrap adds to the knot’s width. Pop your collar up first, then drape the tie around your neck.
- Set the lengths. Put the wide end on your right, hanging 6 to 7 inches below the narrow end. The narrow tip should sit near your belly button.
- Cross over. Lay the wide end over the narrow end, toward your left.
- Go up and around. Bring the wide end up behind the crossing and through the neck loop, then pull it down to your left.
- Wrap across the front. Take the wide end horizontally across the front from left to right, over the narrow end.
- Go up again. Bring the wide end up through the neck loop from behind, this time pulling it out toward your right.
- Wrap the front again. Take the wide end across the front from right to left, over the band you just made.
- Finish. Pass the wide end up through the neck loop, then down through the horizontal band on the front. Hold the narrow end and slide the knot up to your collar.
Fold your collar down and adjust the knot with two fingers on each side so the triangle is even.
How long should the tie end up?
The wide end should finish with its tip at the middle of your belt buckle. The narrow end should sit behind it and never peek out below.
If the tie ends too high, start again with the wide end lower. If it ends too low, start higher. Each inch you move the starting point shifts the finish by roughly the same amount, though the extra wrap in this knot uses more fabric than a four-in-hand. Many people need to start with the wide end 1 to 2 inches lower than a simple knot would require, so trial and error is normal.
Double Windsor versus other common knots
| Knot | Size | Shape | Best collar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four-in-hand | Small | Slim, slightly asymmetrical | Point or button-down |
| Half Windsor | Medium | Symmetrical triangle | Most collars |
| Double (full) Windsor | Large | Wide, symmetrical triangle | Spread or cutaway |
Why does my knot look crooked or lumpy?
Most lumpy double Windsors come from loose wraps or uneven tension. Pull each wrap snug before starting the next, and keep the fabric flat rather than twisted.
- Knot leans to one side: the wraps were uneven. Loosen it and re-tighten while holding the narrow end.
- Knot is too fat: the tie is thick. Try a half Windsor, or choose a lighter silk tie.
- No dimple: before tightening, pinch the fabric just under the knot with your finger, then slide it up.
- Tie too short: the second wrap used too much length. Start with the wide end lower.
FAQ
– Is a double Windsor the same as a full Windsor?
Yes, the two names describe the same knot. Some people also call it simply the Windsor.
– Is a double Windsor too formal for work?
No, it is a standard business and formal knot. Because it is large, it looks best with a spread collar and a tie that is not too thick.
– How do you tie it more easily the first time?
Practice in a mirror and say each move aloud: cross, up, down, across, up, across, through. Once the pattern is familiar, you can tie it without the mirror.
