How to Hang an American Flag on Your House the Right Way

To hang an American flag on your house correctly, mount a wall bracket beside your front door, angle the pole at 45 degrees, and attach the flag so the union (the blue field of stars) sits in the upper-left corner when viewed from the street. That's the short version. Here's everything else you need to know to do it right.

Which Direction Does an American Flag Hang on a House?

The union (the blue field with 50 stars) always goes in the upper-left corner as seen by someone standing in front of your house. This applies whether you're flying the flag from a wall-mounted pole, displaying it horizontally, or hanging it vertically in a window.

The U.S. Flag Code specifies that the union must be in the position of honor: always upper left when displayed flat or hanging. Getting this wrong isn't just a mistake. It signals disrespect, even when unintentional.

How to Mount an American Flag on Your House

A wall-mounted flag pole bracket is the cleanest, most permanent option for most homes. It keeps the flag properly angled, secure in wind, and easy to take down when needed.

What You'll Need

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Step-by-Step Installation

1	Choose your location. Mount beside the front door. Either side works. Most homes position it to the right of the door as you face the house. Make sure the flag won't drag on walkways or landscaping when extended.
2	Mark your drill points. Hold the bracket against the wall, mark the screw holes in pencil, and use a level to confirm it'll sit straight.
3	Drill pilot holes. Match your bit to your anchors. For wood siding, pilot holes alone are usually fine. For vinyl or brick, use anchors rated for the load.
4	Attach the bracket firmly. A loose bracket in wind will damage both your flag and your siding. Drive the screws all the way in.
5	Insert the pole and attach the flag. Slide the flag onto the pole through the grommet loops. The union goes toward the tip of the pole, which faces outward when the pole is in the bracket.
6	Check the angle. The pole should extend outward at roughly 45 degrees. Most wall mount kits are pre-drilled at this angle.

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Flag Code Rules for Displaying the American Flag at Home

The U.S. Flag Code (4 U.S.C. § 1–10) is the official standard for flag display. It's not enforced by law for private citizens, but it's what every real patriot knows and follows.

1942 The year the U.S. Flag Code was formally codified, standardizing how every American should honor the flag.

When to Fly the Flag

You can fly the flag any day. It should only be flown from sunrise to sunset unless properly illuminated. A solar light shining directly on it is all you need to fly it 24/7.

Rain and Weather

Don't fly the flag in rain or severe weather unless it's an all-weather flag (nylon or polyester rated for outdoor use). Bringing it in during storms extends its life significantly.

Half-Staff Protocol

The President orders flags to half-staff to honor national tragedies or deaths of government officials. On Memorial Day, the flag flies at half-staff until noon, then returns to full staff. A half-staff clip lets you comply without removing the whole setup.

Retiring a Worn Flag

When a flag is too worn to display respectfully, retire it. Don't throw it out. The proper method is burning it in a private ceremony. Many VFW posts and American Legion chapters hold annual flag retirement events if you'd prefer a formal setting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even well-meaning patriots get these wrong. Here are the five most common Flag Code violations, and how to fix each one.

MISTAKE 01

Union in the Wrong Corner

The stars must always be in the upper-left from the viewer's perspective outside your house. That's the "position of honor" under the Flag Code. Mounting it reversed signals disrespect even when unintentional. Fix: stand outside, face the house, and confirm the blue star field is top-left before tightening anything.

MISTAKE 02

Letting the Flag Touch the Ground

The Flag Code is explicit: the flag "should never touch anything beneath it: the ground, floor, water, or merchandise." A flag that drags or dips at full extension is in violation. After installation, extend it fully and walk the clearance. Check every shrub, railing, and walkway it swings over.

MISTAKE 03

Flying a Tattered or Faded Flag

A frayed, ripped, or badly faded flag shouldn't be flown. It should be retired. The Flag Code says a worn flag should be destroyed "in a dignified way, preferably by burning." Inspect yours every 90 days. When you see significant fraying or fading, take it down, retire it properly, and replace it.

MISTAKE 04

Flying at Night Without Illumination

The Flag Code allows 24/7 display only if the flag is "properly illuminated during the hours of darkness." Leaving it up after sundown with no light is a violation, and an easy one to solve permanently. A solar flag light mounted near the bracket charges during the day and turns on automatically at dusk.

MISTAKE 05

Mounting the Bracket Too Low

A bracket too close to the ground means the flag drags, snags, or creates a clearance hazard when extended. For a standard 6-foot pole with a 3'×5' flag, mount between 7 and 9 feet off the ground. High enough to clear all foot traffic, landscaping, and railings at full extension.

Skip those five and you'll have a cleaner setup than most houses on the block. If you're still not sure about something, these are the questions we get asked the most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which side of the door does the American flag go on?

Either side is fine per the Flag Code. Most homes put it to the right of the front door as you face the house, but left-side mounting is equally correct. What matters is the union orientation, not which side of the door.

Can I leave my American flag out in the rain?

Only if it's an all-weather flag (nylon or polyester). Standard cotton flags should come inside during wet weather to prevent deterioration.

How high should I mount the bracket?

High enough that the flag clears all walkways, shrubs, and railings when fully extended. For a standard 6-foot pole with a 3'x5' flag, most people mount between 7 and 9 feet off the ground.

What size flag for a house wall mount?

A 3'x5' flag is standard for residential poles in the 5–6 foot range. Larger poles (8–10 feet) can carry a 4'x6'. Going bigger stresses the grommets and looks out of proportion.

Does the American flag have to come down at night?

Per the Flag Code, yes, unless it's illuminated. A solar-powered flag light mounted near the bracket handles this automatically.

Once your flag is up, you'll want to know the right way to take it down and fold it. See our step-by-step guide to folding an American flag.

And if you're looking for ways to celebrate what the flag represents, check out how America is celebrating its 250th birthday in 2026.

Looking to bring the flag inside? Check out our guide on how to display an American flag indoors.

For the complete guide to every flag rule, see our pillar reference: American Flag Etiquette: The Complete U.S. Flag Code Guide.

For a closer look at the Thin Blue Line flag and what it represents, read our guide: The Thin Blue Line Flag: What It Means and Why People Fly It.

Shopping for a flagpole? Our guide to choosing the right flagpole covers wall mounts, in-ground poles, and everything in between.

For rules on flying the American flag alongside state flags, thin line flags, and other flags, check out our guide on how to fly the American flag with other flags.

Need to retire an old flag? Here's how to retire an American flag the right way.

Worth reading alongside this: our guide on how to clean an American flag the right way, from machine wash settings to mildew rescue.

If your current flag is past saving, read our new guide on when to replace your American flag before the next Flag Day or Fourth of July weekend.

For the vertical-display version of the rule, read our new guide to hanging an American flag vertically, including wall, porch, and window orientation.

Ready to fly it right? Both are in stock and ship fast. Wall Mount Kit → 3x5 American Flag →