How to Fly a State Flag With the American Flag

A state flag looks right at home next to the Stars and Stripes. Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Ohio, Arizona, every state has its own pride. The trick is making sure local pride never outranks the American flag.

If you are setting up two flags on a porch, in a church hall, at a business, or beside a driveway, the rule is plain: the United States flag gets the position of honor. Your state flag can stand proudly beside it, but it does not take the senior spot.

The American flag gets the place of honor

The U.S. Flag Code gives the national flag the senior position when it appears with state, city, society, or organization flags. That does not mean the state flag is less meaningful. It means the national flag represents the whole country, so it leads the display.

For most home setups, remember this: if the flags are on separate poles, the American flag should be on its own right. To a person standing in front of the display, that usually means the American flag appears on the left. If one pole is taller, that taller pole belongs to the Stars and Stripes.

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How to set up two flags outside

Outside displays create most of the confusion because porches, lawns, brackets, and poles are rarely built the same way. Use the setup that matches your hardware.

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Indoor state flag display rules

Inside a room, the same idea applies, but the language changes. If flags are behind a lectern, pulpit, classroom desk, or meeting table, the American flag belongs to the speaker's right. To the audience, that usually puts it on the left side of the scene.

If the flags are crossed on a wall, the American flag's staff should be in front of the other staff, and the U.S. flag should be on its own right. If the flags stand in floor bases, keep the American flag in the honor position and avoid hiding it behind furniture, plants, signs, or a podium.

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Common mistakes with state flags

Most bad displays are not meant as disrespect. They happen because somebody adds a second flag without thinking through order, size, height, and hardware.

MISTAKE 01

Putting the state flag above the American flag.

On a shared staff, the American flag goes on top. The state flag can fly below it with pride.

MISTAKE 02

Making the state flag bigger.

Use equal sizes or give the American flag the larger size. A giant state flag beside a smaller U.S. flag looks careless.

MISTAKE 03

Letting one flag look sharp and the other look worn.

A crisp state flag next to a faded American flag sends the wrong message. Replace the U.S. flag first.

MISTAKE 04

Crowding flags into weak hardware.

Two flags catch more wind. Use hardware that can handle the load instead of forcing both onto a flimsy bracket.

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When the flags go to half-staff

When the American flag is ordered to half-staff, do not leave the state flag flying high beside it. In a shared display, the other flags should normally be lowered too. State proclamations can also apply to state flags, so check your governor's notices along with federal half-staff orders.

The respectful approach is simple. Raise the American flag to the top first, lower it to half-staff, then handle the other flags in a way that keeps the national flag from being outranked. At sunset or closing, raise the American flag to full height before lowering it completely.

For the broader rule set, read our guide to flying the American flag with other flags. If you are setting up the main flag first, our house flag hanging guide and complete American flag etiquette guide will keep the basics squared away.

State flag display FAQ

Can a state flag fly at the same height as the American flag?

On separate staffs, the U.S. flag should be at the same height or higher and should take the position of honor. On one staff, the American flag goes above the state flag.

Which side does the American flag go on with a state flag?

From the viewer's perspective, the American flag usually belongs on the left. From the flag's own perspective, that is its right, the place of honor.

Can I fly a Texas flag with the American flag?

Yes. The Texas flag, or any state flag, can fly with the American flag when the U.S. flag takes the senior position.

Can a state flag be larger than the American flag?

Do not make the state flag larger in a shared display. Use equal size or make the American flag larger.

What if I only have one porch bracket?

Fly the American flag by itself in that bracket, or use a proper multi-flag setup where the American flag is above the state flag on the same staff.

Do half-staff rules apply to state flags too?

When the American flag is flown at half-staff, state flags in the same display should usually be lowered as well. Follow federal, state, and local instructions for official observances.