The Scale Knot: How to Tie & Style This Unique Tie Knot

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Plus, which occasions and events you can wear the scale knot to

Co-authored by Benton Nilson and Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: August 14, 2026 Fact Checked

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Tying a Scale Knot

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Styling Tips

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When to Wear It

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Video

The scale knot is an intricate, multi-layered necktie knot that always makes a statement. Named for the way it resembles the scales of a dragon or a fish, this knot is also sometimes called an artichoke, a fishtail braid, or a zipper knot. It might look intimidating at first, but our step-by-step instructions will make this knot easy to achieve! Keep reading to learn how to tie a scale knot in your tie, how to style it, and when to wear it.

What is a scale tie knot?

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An illustration showing how to tie a scale knot in your necktie, step-by-step.

A scale knot is a fancy necktie knot made with the narrow end (the tail) of the tie instead of the wide end (the blade), like most traditional tie knots. It features multiple overlapping folds, which look similar to dragon scales. It's also referred to as an artichoke, a fishtail braid, and a zipper knot.

Section 1 of 3:

How to Tie a Scale Knot

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Pop your shirt collar and drape the middle of the tie around the back of your neck. Lay the narrow end (the tail) on the left side of your torso and the wide end (the blade) on the right side.^{[1]
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Position the wide end 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) above where you want it to sit. Unlike most tie knots, you're going to use the tail as the active end when tying the scale knot instead of the blade. With that in mind, position the inactive end, or the blade, about 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) above the point where you want it to end when you finish tying the knot.^{[2]
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- For example, if you want your tie to end at your belt line, tug on the tail to pull the blade up 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) above your belt line.
- Your tie will reach your desired point after you tighten it at the end of the tying process.
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Grasp the wide end of the tail near your collar between your right thumb and forefinger. Pull this pinched part over to the center of your collar and hold it there.^{[3]
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While still pinching the blade with your right hand, pick up the tail with your left hand and cross it over the front of the blade. Now switch hands, so that your left thumb and forefinger are pinching the blade, and your right hand is pulling the tail over to the right side of your torso.^{[4]
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Move the narrow end back over to the left side of your torso by passing it behind the wide end, just where you're pinching it. Change hands again, so you can pinch the blade with your right hand and pull the tail back over to your left side.^{[5]
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Wrap the narrow end up over the front of the knot and down behind the collar loop. Pick up the narrow end and fold it up and over the knot you're building in the center of your collar. Slide it behind the loop of the necktie lying around your collar on the right side, then pull it down.^{[6]
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- Now that this part of the knot is complete, you can stop pinching the blade.
Lift the narrow end and cross it over diagonally from the right side of your chest to the center of the knot. Next, fold the tail up into an L-shape over the knot, then hold it in place with your right index finger.^{[7]
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Use your left hand to push the narrow end of the tie behind the necktie where it loops around your collar on your left. Pull it out from the bottom of the loop, so that it rests on the left side of your chest.^{[8]
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Repeat step 6, but in the opposite direction. Lift the narrow end diagonally from the left side of your chest to the center of the knot. Fold the tail up in an L-shape over the knot, then hold it in place with your left index finger.^{[9]
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Repeat step 7, but on the right side of your collar. This will leave you with a fold on each side of the knot.^{[10]
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Repeat steps 6-9 until you have about 6 in (15 cm) of the narrow end left. Continue folding the narrow end of the necktie into L-shapes on either side of the knot. Alternate back and forth between the left and right side until you have approximately 6 in (15 cm) of the narrow end still dangling.^{[11]
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- It's okay if you don't have the same number of folds on each side of the knot by the end. The scale knot is supposed to look asymmetrical!
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Tuck the last 6 in (15 cm) of the narrow end into the bottom loop of the knot. Work your finger into the bottom loop of the scale knot (the first one you made at the beginning of the tying process). Loosen it up enough that you can tug the narrow end all the way through it.^{[12]
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- This step hides the tie's tail from the front, so it doesn't dangle awkwardly across your chest.
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Tighten the tie and adjust the knot to your preference. Pull on the wide end of the necktie to cinch the scale knot so it feels snug against your collar.^{[13]
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Research source} Use your fingers to adjust the folds if necessary, taking care that none of them are flipped up and that they're all lying flat. Your scale knot is now complete!
- Don't forget to flip your shirt collar back down.
- To remove your scale knot tie, pull the end of the tail out of the bottom loop and unravel it in the reverse order that you tied it.

Section 2 of 3:

How to Style a Scale Knot

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The scale knot is iconic because of its many folds and layers, which you can only achieve with a long tie. Make sure that the inner lining is thin, not thick, so it's easier to manipulate. Finally, select a tie in a solid color, so the knot's intricate, scale-like design is easy to see.^{[14]
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Wear a button-down shirt with a spread collar. The scale tie knot is quite large, so the farther apart the tips of your collar are, the better! Look for a button-down shirt with a spread collar, which should give you plenty of room to work with. It might also be described as a wide collar.^{[15]
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- Bonus tip: Button your shirt all the way up to the top—otherwise, there will be an awkward gap under your tie.

Section 3 of 3:

When to Wear a Scale Knot

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The scale knot is intricate and beautiful, and as such, it calls a lot of attention to itself. That's why it's better suited for celebratory occasions where you want to look fun and fashionable, like a wedding or a night on the town, says menswear entrepreneur Benton Nilson.^{[16]
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Expert Source

Benton Nilson
Menswear Entrepreneur

Expert Interview} For everyday office wear and professional events, as well as for solemn occasions like funerals, opt for the more humble and business-like Windsor knot.