Flag Etiquette

The U.S. Flag Code

The complete guide to displaying, handling, and honoring the Flag of the United States, as set out in Title 4 of the United States Code.

The United States Flag Code (4 U.S.C. §§ 5–10) was adopted by Congress in 1942 to establish a uniform standard for the respect and display of the American Flag. It is a guide to proper etiquette rather than a set of laws carrying penalties. What follows is the Foundation’s plain-language summary of its key provisions.

When to display the Flag 4 U.S.C. § 6

The Flag is customarily displayed only from sunrise to sunset. It may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
The Flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather Flag is used.
The Flag should be displayed on all days, and especially on New Year’s Day, Inauguration Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lincoln’s and Washington’s Birthdays, Easter Sunday, Mother’s Day, Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), Flag Day (June 14), Independence Day, Labor Day, Constitution Day (September 17), Columbus Day, Navy Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the birthdays and admission days of the several States.
The Flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution, in or near every polling place on election days, and in or near every schoolhouse during school days.

How to display the Flag 4 U.S.C. § 7

When carried in a procession with other flags, the Flag should be on the marching right or in front of the center of the line.
When displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, the Flag should be on its own right (the observer’s left), with its staff in front of the other.
When flown with the flags of States, cities, or organizations on the same halyard, the Flag of the United States should always be at the peak; on adjacent staffs, it should be hoisted first and lowered last.
No other flag may be placed above the Flag of the United States, or to its right. When displayed with the flag of another nation, the flags should be of equal size, flown from separate staffs of equal height.
When displayed flat or hung vertically against a wall, the union (the field of stars) is always uppermost and to the Flag’s own right, the observer’s left.
When displayed over a street, the union should face north on an east-west street, or east on a north-south street.
When used to cover a casket, the union is placed at the head and over the left shoulder. The Flag is never lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
The Flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

Flying the Flag at half-staff 4 U.S.C. § 7(m)

To place the Flag at half-staff, first hoist it briskly to the peak, then lower it ceremoniously to the half-staff position. Before lowering the Flag for the day, raise it again to the peak.
The Flag is flown at half-staff by Presidential proclamation upon the death of principal government figures, and for thirty days following the death of a President or former President.
On Memorial Day, the Flag is displayed at half-staff from sunrise until noon, then raised to the peak for the remainder of the day.
On Patriot Day (September 11) and other observances, the Flag is flown at half-staff as directed.

Respect for the Flag 4 U.S.C. § 8

The Flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
The Flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
The Flag should never be used as apparel, bedding, or drapery, nor festooned or drawn back in folds. For decoration, use bunting of blue, white, and red.
The Flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
The Flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
The Flag should never be used for advertising purposes, nor embroidered on cushions or handkerchiefs, printed on napkins or boxes, or used on any costume or athletic uniform. A Flag patch may, however, be worn by military personnel, firefighters, police officers, and members of patriotic organizations.
The Flag should never be dipped to any person or thing.
When a Flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

Conduct during hoisting, lowering, or passing 4 U.S.C. § 9

During the hoisting, lowering, or passing of the Flag, all present should face it and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart.
Those in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans not in uniform may render the military salute.
Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.

Common questions about the Flag Code

What is the U.S. Flag Code?

The U.S. Flag Code is the body of advisory rules, found in Title 4 of the United States Code (4 U.S.C. §§ 5–10), that establishes how the Flag of the United States should be displayed, handled, and respected. It was adopted by Congress in 1942. The Code is a guide to proper etiquette rather than a set of laws carrying penalties.

Can you fly the American flag at night?

Yes. The Flag is customarily displayed from sunrise to sunset, but it may be flown twenty-four hours a day if it is properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.

Can you fly the flag in the rain or bad weather?

The Flag should not be displayed in inclement weather unless it is an all-weather (weatherproof) Flag, in which case it may remain displayed.

When should the flag be flown at half-staff?

The Flag is flown at half-staff by Presidential proclamation upon the death of principal government officials, and for thirty days following the death of a President or former President. On Memorial Day it is flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon, then raised to full staff. To set the Flag at half-staff, raise it to the peak first, then lower it to the half-staff position.

How do you properly dispose of a worn American flag?

When a Flag is worn beyond repair and is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be retired in a dignified way, preferably by burning in a respectful ceremony. Many veterans and scouting organizations conduct flag retirement ceremonies.

Should the American flag ever touch the ground?

No. The Flag should never touch anything beneath it, including the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise. A flag that touches the ground is not automatically required to be destroyed, but it should be handled with care and kept from doing so.

How do you display the flag vertically or against a wall?

When the Flag is displayed flat or hung vertically against a wall, the union (the blue field of stars) should always be uppermost and to the Flag’s own right, which is the observer’s left.

Is it disrespectful to wear the flag or put it on clothing?

Under the Flag Code, the Flag should not be used as apparel or worn as a costume. A Flag patch may be affixed to the uniforms of military personnel, firefighters, police officers, and members of patriotic organizations.

This summary is provided for educational purposes by the National Flag Foundation. For the full statutory text, see Title 4 of the United States Code. Learn more about the history and etiquette of the Flag or read our Flag Stories.