How to Fly an American Flag

Many Americans hang the flag to display a sense of patriotism and pride, and if you're concerned about doing so properly, don't worry -- it's not too difficult! The US flag code provides specific advice for when and how to fly the flag, but the basics are simple.[1] When you hoist the flag from a pole, for example, hang it so the stars are on top and the flag is at the very top of the flagpole, and don't forget to take it down again at night. By following these guidelines, you'll show the flag proper respect and honor.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Hoisting the Flag on a Pole

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    Attach a hook or fastener to the pole's rope at your eye level. There are special hooks that clip the flag to the pole rope and keep it secure. Take a bit of rope at your eye level and pinch a loop between your fingers. Insert that bit of rope through the hole on the bottom of the hook and loop it over the top. Pull the rope back so it tightens around the hook.[2]
    • Some clips may use different instructions, so confirm the procedure on the product you use.
    • Starting at the eye-level is important so the flag doesn’t touch the ground while you’re hanging it. This is a violation of the flag code. If the flag is large, work with a second person to hold the flag so it doesn't touch the ground.
    • You can buy flagpole clips from hardware stores or on the internet.
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    2
    Clip the fastener to the flag at the stars section. Flags have holes along the back end that the hooks attach to. Hold the flag so the blue stars section faces up and find the hole here. Then insert the fastener into this hole.[3]
    • Always hang an American flag so the stars section faces up. The stars facing down is a distress signal used only for emergencies, like if an outpost needs immediate help or evacuation.
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  3. Image titled Fly an American Flag Step 3
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    Attach another hook near the bottom of the flag. Use the same process to loop the rope through the hook. Then attach the hook to the bottom hole on the flag.[4]
    • You might have to raise the flag a bit to prevent it from touching the ground during this step.
    • Larger flags may also have a third hole in the middle. If so, attach a clip and loop it through the flag here as well.
  4. Image titled Fly an American Flag Step 4
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    Hang official flags in descending order of prominence below the US flag. If you want to display other official flags on the same pole, make sure they are below the American flag. Official flags are states, cities, and organizations. Raise the American flag up and attach the other flag 1 foot (0.30 m) below it.[5]
    • For example, in New York, the order of prominence is American flag, New York State flag, New York City flag.
    • The only exception to this rule is if you’re hanging the POW/MIA flag for veterans. This can go above state flags and directly below the American flag.
    • Do not hang a company or business flag on the same pole as the American flag. This is against the flag code. Place it on a separate pole to the audience’s right of the American flag.
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    Arrange other flag poles so the American flag is in the center and at the highest point. If you’re displaying multiple flags on different poles, place them on the sides of the American flag. Use poles that are shorter than the one holding the American flag. There is no requirement for how much shorter they should be. This is a common arrangement for poles on a stage.[6]
    • If the poles are all the same height, then display them on the right of the American flag from the audience’s perspective. For example, from left to right, the order should be American flag, New York State flag, New York City flag.
    • If you're on US soil, other nation's flags should be the same height as the American flag and to its right.
  6. Image titled Fly an American Flag Step 6
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    Hoist the flag briskly to the top of the pole. Once the flag is attached, pull the flagpole rope and raise it. Pull the rope briskly so the flag rises quickly. Continue pulling until the flag reaches the very top of the pole. Always display the flag at the top of the pole like this.
    • The only exception to this rule is when the flag is at half-staff for a day of remembrance. These are ordered by the president or state governors.
  7. Image titled Fly an American Flag Step 7
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    Lower the flag ceremoniously and never let it touch the ground. When it comes time to take the flag down, lower in the opposite way that you raised it. Pull the rope smoothly and slowly so the flag lowers in a ceremonious way. Stop pulling when you can reach the flag to detach it from the rope. Never let it touch the ground during this process.[7]
    • Civilians should stand at attention and face the flag as it's being lowered. Military service members should salute the flag.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Displaying the Flag at the Right Times

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    Hang the flag daily outside public buildings. Government offices and administrative buildings should display the flag every day. If your building has a flagpole, hoist the flag to the top. If you'll be hanging more than one flag from the pole, remember to place other flags below the American flag.[8]
    • State buildings typically display the American flag and their state flag. Remember that the state flag goes below the American flag.
    • The same rules apply for flags outside official buildings as flags displayed on homes. Remove them in inclement weather unless it's an all-weather flag, and keep the flag illuminated if you keep it out at night.
    • Schools should also display the flag while school is in session.
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    Put out the flag on state and national holidays. There are no rules for which days to fly the flag, and you can fly it every day if you want. However, whether you fly the flag daily or only occasionally, there are national and patriotic holidays that you should display the flag on. Keep track of these holidays and display your flag to show your patriotism.[9]
    • Traditional holidays to display the flag are Memorial Day, Veterans’ Day, July 4th, and Flag Day. If your state or city has particular patriotic holidays, you can also display the flag on these days.
    • Some calendars list days that you should fly the flag on.
    • You can also hang the flag on significant historical events, like the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6 and the end of the Civil War on May 9.
  3. Image titled Fly an American Flag Step 10
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    Remove the flag during inclement weather unless it's an all-weather flag. Flag code states that you should take the flag down if it starts raining or storming so it isn't damaged. However, you can keep an all-weather flag out at all times. This way, the flag will resist any damage and can be displayed in all types of weather.[10]
    • All-weather flags are a bit more expensive than normal flags. Find them for purchase online.
    • If you don’t have an all-weather flag, simply bring yours inside if the weather turns bad.
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    Take the flag in at sunset unless you illuminate it. Flag code states that when the flag is displayed, it must be visible. That means if you keep it out after dark, focus a light directly on it all night. Keeping the flag in darkness violates flag etiquette.[11]
    • If you don’t have a light outside, then only fly your flag from sunrise to sunset. Bring it inside when it starts to get dark.
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    Fly the flag at half-staff when days of remembrance are declared. The only exception to hoisting flags to their maximum height is on national and state days of remembrance. These are usually declared a few times a year as a result of some tragedy or death of a prominent person. Only the president or a state governor can declare a day of remembrance.[12]
    • There are only a few consistent national days of remembrance. Regular days to fly the flag at half-staff are Memorial Day (last Monday in May) from sunrise until noon, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (Dec. 7), Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15), and September 11, all 3 from sunrise until sunset.
    • Fly the flag at half-staff for 30 days following the death of a current or former president.
    • State governors can also order flags to fly at half-staff in their respective states for tragedies or deaths of prominent people.
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/chapter-1
  2. ↑ https://youtu.be/DaWx5mL-2Xs?t=47
  3. ↑ https://youtu.be/DaWx5mL-2Xs?t=147
  4. ↑ https://youtu.be/DaWx5mL-2Xs?t=169
  5. ↑ https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/flagdisplay.pdf
  6. ↑ https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/flagdisplay.pdf
  7. ↑ https://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html
  8. ↑ https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/flagdisplay.pdf
  9. ↑ https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/flagdisplay.pdf
  1. ↑ https://www.usa.gov/flag
  2. ↑ https://www.legion.org/flag/code
  3. ↑ https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/halfstaff.pdf

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
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This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 12,960 times.
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Co-authors: 4
Updated: August 10, 2021
Views: 12,960
Categories: Hanging Things
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