The U.S. Flag Code is federal law. Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1. Most Americans break it without knowing. Flying a tattered flag, leaving it out in a thunderstorm, printing it on a napkin and tossing it in the trash. None of that is criminal (the Supreme Court settled that in 1989), but it matters if you care about doing right by the flag you fly.
The short version
- The Flag Code is federal law under Title 4, Chapter 1, but it carries no penalties, so following it is a matter of respect rather than enforcement.
- The union always sits in the position of honor: at the peak on a staff, and to the flag's own right (the viewer's upper left) when it hangs flat.
- Sunrise to sunset is the default display window, and flying around the clock is fine as long as the flag is lit.
- A worn flag should be retired in a dignified way, preferably by burning, or handed to a veterans group that runs retirement ceremonies.
- The mistakes that show up most are bad weather, tattered fabric, a backwards union, and an unlit flag after dark.
This guide covers the rules worth knowing, from porch display to what to do when the flag touches the ground.
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$7.00What Is the U.S. Flag Code?
Congress passed the original Flag Code on June 22, 1942, and President Roosevelt signed it the same day. Before that, flag etiquette was a patchwork of state laws and military customs with no national standard.
The code covers how to fly the flag, when to fly it, how to fold it, and how to retire it. It applies to flags on buildings, vehicles, caskets, and lapel pins, and it spells out what does not belong on a flag (advertising, for one).
What the code does not do is assign penalties. After the Supreme Court ruled in Texas v. Johnson (1989) that flag burning is protected speech, following it became voluntary. People respect the code because they choose to, not because anyone will fine them.
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1942 The year Congress established the U.S. Flag Code, creating the first national standard for civilian flag etiquette. |
Displaying the Flag Outdoors
Outdoor display is where most people start and where most mistakes happen. The code gives separate instructions for a staff, a pole, a wall, and a flag strung across a street.
The principle behind all of it: the union, the blue field with the stars, always takes the position of honor. On a vertical staff it sits at the top. On a flat surface facing a street it goes to the flag's own right, the observer's left.
★ Quick Reference: Outdoor Display Rules
| On a staff from a building | Union at the peak, flag flies free. Staff angles upward from the wall or windowsill. |
| On a flagpole | Raise briskly, lower ceremoniously. The American flag flies at the top if other flags share the pole. |
| Flat against a wall (horizontal) | Union to the flag's own right (observer's upper left). |
| Suspended over a street | Union faces north on an east-west street, or east on a north-south street. |
| Half-staff | Raise to the peak first, then lower to half-staff. Reverse when lowering at day's end. |
First time hanging one from the house? Our step-by-step on hanging an American flag on your house covers hardware, angle, and positioning.
A 3 by 5 foot flag is the standard size for a house-mounted staff, and it stays clear of shrubs and gutters when the bracket angles up at about 45 degrees.
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Displaying the Flag Indoors
Indoor display follows the same union-in-honor principle, but the setting changes the specifics. Three scenarios come up: on a staff in a room, flat on a wall, and in a window.
On a staff in a room, whether a church, an office, or a courtroom, the flag goes to the speaker's right, which is your left when you face the speaker. Every other flag goes to the speaker's left.
Flat on a wall, the rules match outdoor display. The union goes to the flag's own right, which is the upper left from the viewer's perspective, and that holds whether the flag hangs horizontally or vertically. If the union sits on the viewer's upper right, the flag is backwards. In a window, the union should face the street.
More on this in our guide to displaying an American flag indoors.
Half-Staff Rules and Dates
Half-staff is the most visible form of national mourning, and the code spells out when it happens and how long the flag stays lowered. The President can order it for any national mourning event and governors can order it for state-level tragedies. Five annual dates are written into federal law:
The procedure matters too. Raise the flag to the peak first, then lower it to half-staff. At day's end, raise it back to the peak before taking it down. It is a small step, and it is the one that separates someone who knows the code from someone guessing.
Every half-staff date and the protocol for presidential proclamations: when to fly your flag at half-staff.
How to Fold the Flag
The triangular fold is not in the Flag Code itself. It comes from military tradition and has been standard since at least World War II. Done right it leaves a triangle of blue and white stars with no red showing, echoing the tricorn hats of the Revolutionary War. The job takes two people: fold lengthwise twice with the blue field out, then make 13 triangular folds from the striped end to the union.
| 1 | Hold the flag waist-high with a partner. Each person holds two corners. The flag should be parallel to the ground with nothing dragging. |
| 2 | Fold lengthwise twice. Bring the striped section over the blue field, then fold again so the blue is on the outside. |
| 3 | Start triangular folds from the striped end. Bring the corner to the opposite edge to form a triangle. Continue folding triangles toward the blue field. Make 13 folds total. |
| 4 | Tuck the remaining flap. The final fold should leave only the blue union visible. Tuck any remaining fabric into the pocket of the triangle. |
The meaning behind all 13 folds, with photos: how to fold an American flag the right way.
Retiring a Worn Flag
Section 8(k) of the Flag Code says it plainly: "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."
That sentence trips people up. Burning a flag in protest is one thing. Burning a worn flag in a respectful ceremony is the opposite, and it is the method the code names.
Signs your flag needs retirement:
You do not have to burn it yourself. The American Legion, VFW, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts run retirement programs, and many fire departments accept worn flags. Look for a drop-off box at your post office, town hall, or veterans hall.
Both the DIY and drop-off options: how to retire an American flag.
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Common Flag Code Mistakes
Knowing the rules is half of it. The other half is knowing what people get wrong. These four come up the most.
MISTAKE 01
Leaving the Flag Out in Bad Weather
The code says the flag should not be displayed during rain, snow, or wind storms unless it is an all-weather flag. Nylon handles light rain fine, but a thunderstorm will cut its life short. If yours is not rated all-weather, bring it in.
MISTAKE 02
Flying a Tattered Flag
A flag with frayed edges, faded colors, or torn stripes is no longer a fitting emblem, and flying one goes against the code. Retire it properly and replace it. Most people wait too long simply because they never look closely.
MISTAKE 03
Displaying the Union on the Wrong Side
When the flag hangs flat on a wall, horizontally or vertically, the union goes to the flag's own right, which is the observer's upper left. On the upper right, the flag is backwards. Businesses and schools get this wrong constantly.
MISTAKE 04
Flying the Flag at Night Without a Light
The code sets sunrise to sunset for buildings and flagpoles. To fly around the clock, the flag must be lit after dark, and a spotlight or porch light aimed at it does the job. No light means take it down at sunset.
Nobody gets all of it right every time, and perfection was never the point. Caring enough to learn the rules is.
The Dos and Don'ts Quick List
A quick-scan reference for the rules people ask about most. Screenshot it if that helps.
★ Do
| Display sunrise to sunset (or 24/7 with a light) |
| Fly the American flag above all other flags on the same pole |
| Raise briskly, lower ceremoniously |
| Fold into a triangle when not in use |
| Retire worn flags by burning or through a veterans' organization |
| Stand and face the flag during the Pledge of Allegiance |
★ Don't
| Let the flag touch the ground, floor, water, or merchandise |
| Use the flag as clothing, bedding, or drapery |
| Print the flag on disposable items (napkins, paper plates, etc.) |
| Fly the flag upside down (unless signaling extreme distress) |
| Add marks, letters, or designs to the flag |
| Use the flag for advertising or display it on a float except from a staff |
A 20 foot residential pole puts the flag above roof lines and tree cover, which is where most tangling and abrasion problems start.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions customers ask us most, answered straight from the Flag Code and its official interpretations.
Does the flag have to be taken down when it rains?
Only if it's not an all-weather flag. The code says the flag should not be displayed during inclement weather unless it's made of all-weather material. Most modern nylon and polyester flags qualify, but check the manufacturer's rating to be sure.
What happens if the flag touches the ground?
Contrary to popular belief, the code does not say you must destroy a flag that touches the ground. The rule is that the flag should never touch anything beneath it. If it does, simply pick it up, clean it if needed, and continue displaying it. You only retire a flag when it's too worn or damaged for display.
Can I fly my state flag on the same pole as the American flag?
Yes, but the American flag must be on top. No other flag should fly above it on the same pole. If you have separate poles of equal height, the American flag goes on the flag's own right (the viewer's left).
Is wearing flag-themed clothing a Flag Code violation?
This one is misunderstood. The code says the flag itself should not be used as clothing. A T-shirt or hat with a flag design printed on it is not the actual flag, so it's generally considered acceptable. The intent was to prevent people from cutting up real flags and wearing them as garments.
Can I fly my flag at night?
Yes, as long as it's properly illuminated. A solar spotlight, porch light, or dedicated flag light all work. The code's intent is that the flag should be visible and honored, not hidden in darkness.
How do I dispose of a worn flag?
The American Legion, VFW, Boy Scouts, and many fire departments accept worn flags for retirement ceremonies. You can also burn the flag yourself in a private, respectful ceremony. Never throw a flag in the trash.
Flying the flag right is about more than rules. It is about showing that you understand what it represents and that you give it the respect it has earned. Every flag you fly tells your neighbors something about you.
Still building the setup? Our flagpole guide covers wall mounts and in-ground poles, and the size guide matches flag dimensions to pole height. Adding a state flag or a service flag changes the order of precedence, so read how to fly the American flag with other flags first. For upkeep, see how to clean an American flag.
Looking closely at the construction before you buy? Our embroidered American flag guide covers raised stars, seams, grommets, and the care that keeps those details looking right.
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