Etiquette for Displaying the United States Flag

On a Pole with Another Flag

When flying your organization or city flag from the same pole as the U.S. flag, Old Glory should always be at the top of the pole, in a position of honor.

From a Staff Adjacent to Others

The U.S. Flag should be placed in a position of honor, which is the extreme left, as the flags are most frequently viewed.

With the Flags of Other Nations

Each flag should be the same size and displayed at the same height.

Against a Wall or in a Window

When displayed either horizontally or vertically, the union or blue field should be to the observer's left.

At Half-Staff or Half-Mast

Half-staff or half-mast is defined as half the distance from the top to the bottom of a flagpole.  If flying a single flag, the center point of the U.S. flag should be aligned with the center point of the pole.  If more than one flag is displayed on a pole, measure the length from the top of the first flag to the bottom of the last flag.  Align the center point of the flag group with the center point of the pole.

• When a flag is flown at half-staff, it should be raised to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position.
• If your flag is mounted on a wall and cannot be flown at half-staff, it is appropriate to tie a black mourning ribbon above the flag.

Half-staff holidays are highlighted in the table below.

Flag Flying Holidays

Rules for Determining Flag Size