Tie Sizes: Length, Width and Bow Tie Size Chart
For anyone choosing a tie by height, matching tie width to a suit, or buying for a boy or a tall man. Includes bow ties and how much length each knot uses.
A standard necktie is 57–58 in (145–147 cm) long and 3–3.25 in (7.5–8.5 cm) wide at its widest point. Men over about 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) or with a neck over 18 in (46 cm) usually need an extra-long tie of 61–63 in (155–160 cm). Tied, the tip should reach the top or middle of the belt buckle.
- Standard length
- 57–58 in (145–147 cm)
- Extra long
- 61–63 in (155–160 cm)
- Standard width
- 3–3.25 in (7.5–8.5 cm)
- Skinny width
- 2–2.5 in (5–6.5 cm)
On this page
Necktie size chart
Ties are sold by length and by width. Length decides whether the tip lands at your belt; width decides how the tie looks against the jacket lapel and shirt collar.
| Tie length | Inches | Centimeters | Usually suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boys' clip-on | 11–17 | 28–43 | Toddlers to about age 8, by age label |
| Boys' self-tie | 48–52 | 122–132 | About age 8 to 14 |
| Short | 52–55 | 132–140 | Under about 5 ft 6 in (168 cm), or worn with high-rise trousers |
| Standard | 57–58 | 145–147 | About 5 ft 6 in to 6 ft 1 in (168–185 cm) |
| Extra long | 61–63 | 155–160 | Over about 6 ft 2 in (188 cm), neck over 18 in, or Windsor knots |
| Extra-extra long | 64–66 | 163–168 | Very tall men or large necks; usually made to order |
Height is only a proxy. A man of average height with a large neck, a long torso or low-rise trousers can need an extra-long tie, while a tall man who prefers a small knot may be fine with a standard one. If you own a tie that ends at the right place, lay it flat and measure it end to end; buy that length.
Tie length is not regulated, so labels such as "regular" and "long" vary by maker. Compare the listed length in inches or centimeters rather than the label.
Tie widths
Width is measured at the widest part of the front blade, just above the point.
| Width | Metric | Look and pairing |
|---|---|---|
| Skinny | 2–2.5 in (5–6.5 cm) | Narrow lapels, slim suits, casual or fashion-led looks |
| Slim | 2.5–2.75 in (6.5–7 cm) | Modern business suits with slim lapels |
| Standard | 3–3.25 in (7.5–8.5 cm) | Most business suits, the default for formal wear |
| Wide | 3.5–4 in (9–10 cm) | Wide lapels, larger builds, vintage styles |
The simple rule: the tie's widest point should be close to the width of the lapel at its widest. A broad-shouldered man with a 3.75 in lapel looks pinched in a 2.5 in tie; a slim man in a narrow-lapel suit looks swamped by a 3.75 in tie. Shirt collar points follow the same proportion, so spread collars suit wider ties and fuller knots. For jacket and lapel proportions, see the suit size guide and the blazer size guide.
How much length each knot uses
The knot consumes length before the tie ever reaches your belt. Bigger, symmetrical knots wrap the wide blade around more times.
| Knot | Size | Length used | Tie to choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four-in-hand | Small, slightly asymmetric | Least | Standard tie for most heights; good for shorter men |
| Half-Windsor | Medium, symmetric | Moderate | Standard tie for average heights |
| Full Windsor | Large, triangular | Most | Extra-long if you are over about 6 ft |
| Pratt (Shelby) | Medium, symmetric | Less than half-Windsor | Standard tie |
If a standard tie ends above your waistband with a Windsor, switch to a four-in-hand before buying a longer tie. If it hangs below the buckle with a four-in-hand, a Windsor or a tie that is 2 in shorter fixes it. Never tuck a too-long front blade into the trousers.
Bow tie sizes
A bow tie is sized by the neckband and by the bow itself.
- Neckband: adjustable bands on self-tie and pre-tied bow ties usually cover about 14 to 18.5 in (36 to 47 cm) of neck. Fixed-size self-tie bow ties are sold by collar size, the same number as your shirt collar. If you do not know it, the shirt size guide explains how to measure the neck.
- Butterfly (thistle) bow: the classic shape, with a bow about 2.5 in (6 to 6.5 cm) tall at the ends. Suits most faces and standard dinner jacket lapels.
- Batwing (slim) bow: straight-sided and narrower, about 1.5 to 2 in (4 to 5 cm) tall. Pairs with slim lapels and narrow faces.
- Big butterfly: 3 in (7.5 cm) or taller. Suits larger frames and wide-spread collars.
The tied bow should not extend past the outer edges of your face, and it should be at least as wide as your neck. A tied butterfly bow is usually about 4.5 to 5 in (11 to 12.5 cm) across.
Ties for boys
Children's ties are sized by age or by length, and sizing is less consistent than for adults. Clip-on ties suit toddlers and young children because they come off safely if pulled. Zipper ties (pre-knotted, with a sliding zip under the collar) adjust to about 11 to 15 in of neck and suit ages 4 to 12. Self-tie ties for boys from about 8 years are usually 48 to 52 in long and 2.25 to 2.75 in wide. By the mid-teens, most boys fit an adult short or standard tie.
Measuring and fitting checklist
- Button the collar and measure the neck if buying a bow tie or a made-to-measure necktie.
- Measure a tie you like end to end, and across the widest point of the front blade.
- Check where it lands. Tie your usual knot, stand straight and look at the tip relative to the belt buckle. The belt size guide covers buckle placement and widths that pair with dress trousers.
- Check the width against your lapel with the jacket on, at its widest point.
- For tie bars, choose one that covers about three-quarters of the tie's width and never extends past the edge.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard tie size?
57 to 58 in long (145 to 147 cm) and about 3 to 3.25 in wide (7.5 to 8.5 cm). That length suits most men from about 5 ft 6 in to 6 ft 1 in (168 to 185 cm) tied with a four-in-hand or half-Windsor knot.
How long should a tie hang?
The tip of the front blade should touch the top of the belt buckle or reach its middle. Above the waistband looks short; below the buckle looks sloppy. The narrow back blade should be the same length or a little shorter and hidden behind the front.
What tie width goes with a slim suit?
Match the tie's widest point to the widest part of the jacket lapel. Slim lapels of about 2.5 in (6.5 cm) pair with ties of 2.25 to 2.75 in; standard 3 to 3.5 in lapels pair with 3 to 3.25 in ties.
What size bow tie do I need?
Bow ties are sized by neck (collar) size. Most adjustable self-tie and pre-tied bow ties fit necks of about 14 to 18.5 in (36 to 47 cm). If your shirt collar is larger, look for an extra-long or custom-length band.
What length tie for a boy?
Boys aged about 8 to 14 typically wear a 48 to 52 in (122 to 132 cm) self-tie, about 2.5 in (6 cm) wide. Younger children are usually better off with a clip-on or zipper tie of 11 to 17 in sized by age.