Complete Guide to Proper Flag Display
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Learn the essential rules for displaying the American flag with proper respect and protocol. Download our free printable American Flag Etiquette PDF of the American flag rules.
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Basic American Flag Display Rules
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Universal flag etiquette dictates that you should display the American flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
This rule, and many others, guide Americans in the proper flag etiquette for how to hang the American flag. Flag display guidelines follow a few general rules, such as hanging the American flag in a specific and prominent position relevant to other flags, and the direction the flag should face.
Flag Hierarchy and Positioning Rules
No flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America, except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for the personnel of the Navy. - U.S. Code 2011, Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7(c)
How to Display the American Flag on Walls and Windows
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When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window, the American flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. No other flag or pennant should be placed above, or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America, except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea...for personnel of the Navy...when the church pennant may be flown above the flag.
Key Wall and Window Display Rules:
- Union (blue field) placement: Always uppermost and the flag's own right
- Window Display: Union to the left of street observers
- Wall Mounting: Union to observer's left when viewing
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State, City, and Local Flag Display Guidelines
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Displaying the American Flag with Another Flag on the Same Flagpole
When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the American flag should always be at the top with six (6) inches between each flag displayed.
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Displaying the American Flag with a State or Company Flag on Multiple Poles
When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the American flag should always be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag's own right (or the observers left).
Displaying the American Flag with Crossed Staffs
The American flag, when displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right (the flag's own right) and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
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Displaying the American Flag with Multiple Flags on Staffs
The American flag should be 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.
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Military Flag Display Order with the American Flag
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The Order of Precedence
For military displays, from the viewer's left to right, when displaying flags together in a military context is to display the United States Flag (also known as the "colors" or "national colors"), is followed by the flags of the:
American Flag Rules for POW/MIA Flag Display
On November 7, 2019, President Trump signed into law: S. 693, the National POW/MIA Flag Act which honors service members who are Prisoners of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA) by increasing frequency of POW/MIA flag display on specified Federal properties.
The National POW/MIA Flag Act ensures that the POW/MIA Flag is displayed whenever the U.S. flag is displayed at designated federal locations including:
- Federal Buildings: U.S. Capitol, White House, major military installations
- Memorials: WWII Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial
- VA Facilities: All Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers
- Post Offices: Every United States Postal Service location
New Jersey Killed In Action (KIA) Flag Display Rules
Effective August 7, 2017, Bill #S1497 designated the KIA Flag as an official State flag and requires all municipal buildings to fly the Killed In Action Flag at the State House in Trenton, the principal municipal building in each municipality, and the principal county building in each county seat during normal business hours.
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International Flag Display Protocol with the American Flag
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When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to 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.
- United Nations Flag: No person shall display the flag of the United Nations above the American flag within the United States
- International Flags: Must be displayed at equal height and prominence
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Indoor Flag Display and Presentation Rules
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Hanging the American Flag around a Speaker's Platform
When used on a speaker's platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience.
Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker. This will make the flag on the right of the audience.
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The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of the State, territory or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory.
In the event of the death of other officials of foreign dignitaries, the American flag etiquette rules state the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to presidential instructions of orders, or in accordance with recognized customs practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory or possession of the United States, the Governor of that State, territory or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff. 
The flag shall be flown at half-staff for:
- President or former President: 30 days from day of death
- Vice President, Chief Justice, Speaker of the House: 10 days from day of death
- Associate Justice, Cabinet Secretary, former Vice President: Day of death until interment
- Member of Congress: Day of death and following day
- Memorial Day: Half-staff from sunrise to noon only, then raised to full staff
- National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service: Half-staff from sunrise to sunset
- Peace Officer's Memorial Day: Half-staff sunrise to sunset, except when Armed Forces Day is the same day then flags are Full-staff
- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: Half-staff sunrise to sunset
Flags flown on poles affixed to a home or building are not to be flown at half staff but a memorial streamer may be affixed to the top of the flagpole. Check the American Flag Status on our site or sign up for our half-staff notices too and we will inform you of national half-staff alerts.
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Nautical Flag Display Guidelines
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For yacht clubs and marine displays, specific nautical flag etiquette applies based on mast configuration.
Mast Configuration Rules
Single Mast (no Yard or Gaff)
- U.S. Ensign is flown at the truck (#1)
- All other flags are pennants flown below U.S. Ensign.
Mast with Yard:
- U.S. Ensign is flown at the truck (#1)
- Club burgee is flown at the starboard (right) yard arm (#3)
- When a foreign ensign is displayed, the U.S. Ensign is flown at #3; the foreign ensign at #4; and the club burgee at #1
Mast with a Yard and Gaff:
- U.S. Ensign is flown at the gaff (#2)
- Club burgee is flown at the truck (#1)
- Flags at #3 and #4 vary depending on the activity at the club
- When a foreign ensign is displayed, the U.S. Ensign is flown at #3; the foreign ensign at #4; the club burgee at #1; and other flags at #2
It is display #3 that causes the most confusion. This puts the club burgee in a higher position physically, but not above that of the U.S. Ensign symbolically. By the normal Flag Code provisions, this would seem to be an incorrect display. The tradition of the seas, however, is to hold the gaff as the position of honor; thus, the intent of this tradition and display is to give proper respect to the flag.
The gaff extends aft (to the rear), and a mast on yacht club grounds is faced seaward. Therefore, the gaff will (or should) be directed toward the land. The observation point then becomes a point somewhere on the seaside of the mast. This then makes the placement of the U.S. Ensign in regard to the foreign ensign conform to Flag Code provisions.
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Vehicle and Motorcycle Flag Display
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American Flags Displayed on Motorcycles
When the US flag is flown alone on a motorcycle, the flag should be centered on the back, or to its "marching right." The "marching right" is on the right throttle side of the motorcycle to the rider's perspective when facing forward. If the US Flag is on your bike with another, it should be to its "marching right." All flags flown with the US Flag are the same size and at the same height of the US Flag. While the US Flag is on your bike with several other flags the US flag is placed at the center and highest. Other flags should be arranged in alphabetical order and in decreasing importance - Nations first, states (in order of admittance) and territories second, military third (in order of establishment), and then any others.
American Flags Displayed on Cars
The orientation of the flag on vehicle decals should be treated the same as arm patches. The National Flag Foundation suggests "The decals or paintings on a vehicle would also be placed so that the union on the driver's side of the vehicle would be to the viewer's left while the union on the passenger side of the vehicle would be to the viewer's right."
Vehicle Flag Guidelines:
- Single Flag: Centered or to marching right
- Multiple Flags: U.S. flag at center and highest position
- Flag Decals: Driver side door - Union to viewer's left: Passenger side door - Union to the viewer's right
- Size Consistency: All flags should be the same size and height when displayed together
The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or boat.
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Flag Pin and U.S. Flag Patches Etiquette
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- Display on Arm Patches
"No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart."
U.S. Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8(j)
The National Flag Foundation suggests "...we recommend that the flag patch on the left sleeve of a uniform should have the union to the viewer's left while a patch on the right sleeve should be displayed with the union to the viewer's right so that, in both cases, the flag is facing forward and is streaming to the back as the person moves forward." Read more about the National Flag Foundation by visiting their Web site at https://nationalflagfoundation.org.
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