To tie shoes, cross the laces and pull one under the other to make a starting knot, form a loop with one lace, wrap the other lace around it, push it through the gap to make a second loop, and pull both loops tight. If the bow sits straight across the shoe, it will hold. If it twists to point along the shoe, reverse the starting knot.
In this guide
Which knot should you use?
| Knot | Best for | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Standard bow (around the tree) | Everyday use | Easy |
| Bunny ears | Children and beginners | Easiest |
| Ian knot | Speed | Medium |
| Double-wrap (surgeon’s) knot | Slippery laces, sport | Easy |
1. The standard bow
- Starting knot: cross the left lace over the right, tuck it under and pull tight.
- Make a loop with the right lace and pinch it at the base.
- Wrap the left lace around the loop, going over the top and behind.
- Push the left lace through the hole that has formed between the loop and the starting knot, creating a second loop.
- Hold both loops and pull outward to tighten.
2. Bunny ears
- Tie the starting knot.
- Make a loop with each lace so you have two “ears”.
- Cross one loop over the other.
- Tuck it under and through the gap.
- Pull both loops tight.
This is the usual first method taught to children, because both hands do the same thing.
3. The Ian knot (the fastest)
- Tie the starting knot.
- Make a loop in each lace at the same time: the right lace looped with the end pointing toward you, the left with the end pointing away.
- Cross the loops so that each hand can pinch the other loop’s loose side.
- Pull each loop through the other in one motion and tighten.
It takes a little practice, but once learned it ties a balanced bow in about a second.
Related: How to Clean UGG Slippers and Other Sheepskin Slippers
4. The double-wrap knot (most secure)
Tie the standard bow, but in step 3 wrap the lace around the loop twice before pushing it through. The extra turn adds friction, so the bow resists working loose, yet it still unties with one pull on a lace end. It is a neater alternative to tying the loops in a second knot.
Why do my shoelaces keep coming undone?
The usual cause is a “granny knot”. A shoelace bow is made of two knots, and if both are tied in the same direction the bow is unbalanced. You can tell at a glance:
- Balanced (reef) bow: the loops lie across the shoe, left and right. It holds.
- Granny bow: the loops twist to point toward the toe and the ankle. It slips.
The fix: change only the starting knot. If you normally cross left over right, cross right over left, then tie the rest exactly as before.
Other causes are round, slippery or waxed laces, and laces that are too long and get stepped on. For dress shoes specifically, see how to tie dress shoes.
How to teach a child to tie shoes
- Start with the shoe on a table, not on the foot, facing the same way as when worn.
- Use two different coloured laces so each step is easier to follow.
- Teach the starting knot first and practise it for a few days.
- Use the bunny ears method, with a short rhyme or story for each step.
- Keep sessions to a few minutes. Many children manage it between the ages of five and seven.
Useful extras
- Heel slipping in trainers? Use the extra top eyelet to tie a heel lock; it is explained in how running shoes should fit.
- Boots: different lacing patterns solve different fit problems. See how to lace boots.
- Prefer no visible bow? See how to hide shoelaces.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to tie shoes?
The bunny ears method: make two loops and tie them together like a simple knot.
What is the strongest shoelace knot?
A balanced bow with a double wrap. It holds firmly and still unties with one pull.
Is a double knot bad for laces?
It is not harmful, but it is bulky and harder to undo. A double-wrap bow is just as secure.
How long should shoelaces be?
For sneakers with six or seven pairs of eyelets, about 115 to 135 cm (45 to 54 inches). Loops and ends should be roughly equal once tied.
