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How to Display the U.S. Flag

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Display the U.S. Flag



Many Americans display the U.S. flag, especially during "National Flag Week" leading up to "Flag Day" on June 14, and when Independence Day rolls around on the 4th of July. There are many guidelines for displaying the American flag properly, with respect to the flag itself, as well as to any other flags that may be displayed along with it. Here's how to follow the United States Flag Code.

Edit Steps

  1. 1
    Keep the flag visible. Traditional guidelines call for displaying the flag in public only from sunrise to sunset. However, the flag may be displayed at all times if it’s illuminated during darkness. Do not display the flag during rain, snow and wind storms unless it is an all-weather flag.[1]

    • When displayed from a staff projecting from a building, the union (the starred blue canton) should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.
      When displayed from a staff projecting from a building, the union (the starred blue canton) should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.
      When displayed from a staff projecting from a building, the union (the starred blue canton) should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff. When suspended from a rope extending from the building on a pole, the flag should be hoisted out, union first from the building.
    • When the U.
      When the U.
      When the U.S. flag is displayed other than from a staff, it should be displayed flat, so that its folds fall free. When displayed over a street, place the union so it faces north or east, depending upon the direction of the street.
    • The flag, when flown at half staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for a moment and then lowered to half staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
    • When flying the flag from a vehicle, attach it to the antenna or clamp the flagstaff to the right fender (or window).[2]
  2. 2
    Arrange the flag appropriately in relation to other flags.
    Arrange the flag appropriately in relation to other flags.
    Arrange the flag appropriately in relation to other flags. When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they must be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace. But when the U.S. flag is displayed with other flags (states, localities or pennants of societies), the following conventions apply:

    • When displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, the U.
      When displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, the U.
      When displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, the U.S. flag should be on its own right (so that when you look at the flags, you see the U.S. flag on the left), and the U.S. flag's staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
    • Place the U.
      Place the U.
      Place the U.S. flag at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
    • When other flags are flown from the same halyard, the U.
      When other flags are flown from the same halyard, the U.
      When other flags are flown from the same halyard, the U.S. flag should always be at the peak. When other flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the U.S. flag should be hoisted first and lowered last. No flag may fly above or to the right of the U.S. flag.
  3. 3
    Give the flag a prominent position during special occasions or ceremonies.

    • The U.
      The U.
      The U.S. flag should form a distinctive feature at the ceremony of unveiling a statue or monument, but should never be used as the covering for the statue or monument.
    • When the flag is displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, it should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergy’s or speaker’s right facing the audience.
      When the flag is displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, it should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergy’s or speaker’s right facing the audience.
      When the flag is displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, it should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergy’s or speaker’s right facing the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the speaker or to the right of the audience.
    • Make sure that if the flag is displayed flat against the wall on a speaker’s platform, the U.
      Make sure that if the flag is displayed flat against the wall on a speaker’s platform, the U.
      Make sure that if the flag is displayed flat against the wall on a speaker’s platform, the U.S. flag should be placed above and behind the speaker with the union of the flag in the upper left-hand corner as the audience faces the flag.
    • Use the flag to cover a casket, but make sure that it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder.
      Use the flag to cover a casket, but make sure that it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder.
      Use the flag to cover a casket, but make sure that it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
    • When the flag is carried in a procession with another or other flags, should be either on the marching right (the flag’s own right) or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.
      When the flag is carried in a procession with another or other flags, should be either on the marching right (the flag’s own right) or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.
      When the flag is carried in a procession with another or other flags, should be either on the marching right (the flag’s own right) or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.
    • Never display the U.S. flag from a float except from a staff, or so suspended that its folds fall free as though staffed.
  4. 4
    Avoid dishonoring the flag. Here are some things to avoid when handling a U.S. flag. Never:

    • dip it for any person or thing, even though state flags, regimental colors and other flags may be dipped as a mark of honor. (See Tips = Salute)
    • display it with the union down, except as a signal of distress.
    • let the flag touch anything beneath it: ground, floor, water, merchandise.
    • fasten or display it in a way that will permit it to be damaged or soiled.
    • place anything on the flag, including letters, insignia, or designs of any kind.
    • use it for holding anything.
    • use it as wearing apparel, bedding or drapery.
    • use it on a costume or athletic uniform (however, a flag patch may be attached to the uniform of patriotic organizations, military personnel, police officers and firefighters).
    • use the flag for advertising or promotion purposes or print it on paper napkins, boxes or anything else intended for temporary use and discard.
    • use it for decoration of any kind. Use bunting of red, white and blue stripes instead.
    • use it for advertising.


Edit Tips

  • These guidelines are from Section 1 of Title 4 of the United States Code (4 U.S.C. § 1 et seq), but they are completely voluntary. Violating these guidelines for political reasons has been ruled by the Supreme Court to be protected by the First Amendment. There are no fines or penalties if these guidelines are not followed.
  • During a ceremony when hoisting, lowering or when the flag is passing in parade, all persons who choose to respect the flag should face the flag, stand at attention and salute. A man should remove his hat and hold it with the right hand over the heart. Men without hats and women salute by placing the right hand over the heart. The salute to the flag in the moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.
  • Regarding the salute to the US Flag. The US Flag may be dipped to another flag, as on the high seas, to another US Flag or the flag of another nation friendly to the US. The two flags are dipped at the same time, and raised at the same time. State flags, corporate flags, or personal pennants are always dipped, held at the dip until the US Flag returns the dip and is raised. Then the pennant or state flag is raised. The inferior flag should salute the US Flag. The US Flag is not required to salute.
  • The personal salute (see above) may also be rendered by the full military hand salute by members of the police, fire departments and military members out of uniform and honorably discharged veterans military veterans.
  • In government and military situations, the church flag may be flown above the US Flag during church services.


Edit Warnings

  • When the flag is worn out or otherwise no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
  • Remember, this is for American Flags only. Rules may be different for other countries.


Edit Related wikiHows


Edit Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www1.va.gov/opa/feature/celebrate/flagdisp.asp
  2. ↑ http://www.proadvance.com/flagdisplay.html

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