Follow this Flag Etiquette When Displaying, Folding or Disposing of the US Flag or State Flags   

     Flag Display - Outdoors 

     Flag Display - Indoors

     Raising & Lowering Flag

     Flag Folding

     Flag Disposal

     Flag Burning

     Frequently Asked Questions

If you are planning to display the national colors or your state or city flag in your home or office, there are a set of rules, called flag etiquette, that you have to adhere to in order to ensure that the flag is handled respectfully. While violating flag protocol is not a crime, it is expected that you would follow these rules carefully in order to show the flag all due respect. Keep in mind that the flag is a symbol of America or your particular state and not following protocol is like showing disrespect for these institutions.

Flag etiquette for displaying the US flag is as follows:

1. The flag should be oriented correctly when being flown, with the blue field (the union) always in the upper right hand corner. Fly the flag upside down only when there is an impending danger that indicates immediate threat to life.

2. When the flag is flown from a flagpole that is at an angle, such as those that are suspended from windowsills, the flag should be at its peak.

3. The flag should not be flown during inclement weather unless it is made of an all-weather substance that resists damage.

4. The flag should never be allowed to touch the ground. If it accidentally does so, it should be washed.

5. If the flag is displayed outdoors, the union should be facing either north or east depending on how the street is aligned.

6. If the flag is flown on a staff that is being crossed with another flag, the staff with the national colors should be placed over the other staff with the US flag to the left of the viewer.

7. You should never write on, or otherwise deface, the flag.

8. A torn and tattered flag should never be flown; it should immediately be taken down and replaced. The old flag should then be properly disposed through a respectful burning.

9. When the national colors are being flown with the flags of other nations, it should never be lower than these flags. They should be flown at equal height and the flags should be roughly the same size.

10. If a flag is flown at night, it must be fully illuminated.

11. If the flag is placed on a casket, it must be fully draped so that the union is on the upper left hand corner. And it should be removed before the casket is lowered into the grave.

12. If a flag is flown at half-staff, it must first be fully raised before being lowered. And when lowering a half-staff flag, the same procedure must be followed.

Each state also has its own flag etiquette when displaying its state flags. For example, the Wisconsin state flag should only be flown from dawn to dusk; it can only be flown for 24 hours on special occasions as declared by the governor, mayor or US president. And it should be displayed in such a way that the state name is read from left to right, and hoisted all the way to the top of the flagpole. Also, as a general rule for all state flags, these should never be flown above the US flag.