Important Note: The U.S. Flag Code (4 U.S.C. §§ 1–10) is federal law but contains no penalties for civilians who violate its provisions. It is a guide for respectful treatment of the flag, not a criminal statute for the general public. Government entities and military personnel are subject to separate binding regulations.
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Outdoor Display Rules
The U.S. Flag Code establishes the following standards for outdoor display of the American flag:
When to Display
- The flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in the open.
- The flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if it is properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
- The flag should not be displayed in inclement weather, unless it is an all-weather flag. (Most modern nylon and polyester flags are all-weather and may be flown in rain.)
Special Display Days
The Flag Code recommends displaying the flag on the following days (and any other days proclaimed by the President):
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Inauguration Day (January 20)
- Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday (3rd Monday in January)
- Presidents' Day (3rd Monday in February)
- Easter Sunday
- Mother's Day (2nd Sunday in May)
- Armed Forces Day (3rd Saturday in May)
- Memorial Day — at half-staff until noon, then full-staff
- Flag Day (June 14)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (1st Monday in September)
- Constitution Day (September 17)
- Columbus Day (2nd Monday in October)
- Navy Day (October 27)
- Veterans Day (November 11)
- Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
Physical Placement
- The flag should never touch the ground, floor, water, or anything beneath it.
- The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
- When displayed against a wall or in a window, the union (blue field) should be at the top-left from the observer's viewpoint.
- When displayed on a speaker's platform, the flag should be above and behind the speaker, to the speaker's right if on a staff.
Indoor Display
When the American flag is displayed indoors — in a hall, auditorium, or meeting room — specific guidelines apply:
- When displayed on a staff with other flags (state, organizational), the U.S. flag should be to its own right (the observer's left) and at the same or higher level than other flags.
- When flat against a wall, the union should be in the upper-left from the viewer's perspective.
- When draped over a casket, the union should be at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or touch the ground.
Half-Staff Rules
Flying the flag at half-staff (sometimes called half-mast on ships) is a mark of respect or mourning. Key rules include:
Proper Half-Staff Procedure: The flag should first be raised to the peak (full-staff) for an instant, then lowered to half-staff. When lowering at the end of the day, it should first be raised to full-staff, then slowly lowered.
Who Can Order Half-Staff?
- The President may order the flag to half-staff to honor the memory of principal figures of government and others as the President deems proper.
- Governors may order flags within their state to half-staff to honor the memory of state officials and figures.
- Private citizens may fly their flag at half-staff at their discretion, though formal proclamations come from the President or Governors.
Mandated Half-Staff Occasions
- Memorial Day: Half-staff until noon, then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day.
- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7): Half-staff until sunset.
- Patriot Day (September 11): Half-staff from sunrise to sunset.
- Korean War Veterans Armistice Day (July 27): Half-staff.
- Death of government officials: Prescribed periods set by law (e.g., 30 days for President or former President, 10 days for Vice President).
Check WhiteHouse.gov for current and recent half-staff proclamations.
Displaying with Other Flags
The U.S. flag holds a position of honor when displayed alongside other flags:
- When flown with flags of other nations, all flags should be the same size and flown at the same height. No flag of another nation may be flown above the U.S. flag in time of peace.
- When flown with state or organizational flags on a single pole, the U.S. flag should be at the peak.
- When displayed on a row of staffs, the U.S. flag should be to its own right (the observer's far left). If there is a center position, the U.S. flag may occupy it.
- The POW/MIA flag is authorized by Congress to be flown directly below the U.S. flag at certain federal facilities.
Flags on Vehicles
- When displayed on a vehicle, the flag should be on a staff clamped to the right front fender — not draped over the hood, top, or sides of the vehicle.
- The Flag Code advises against using the flag as a costume or athletic uniform, though patches of the flag on military or first-responder uniforms are permitted.
The 13-Fold Flag Folding
The ceremonial folding of the flag into a triangle is a tradition associated with military funeral honors. The triangle represents a cocked hat, reminiscent of hats worn by soldiers of the Revolutionary War. The 13 folds each carry a symbolic meaning in military tradition:
- A symbol of life
- A symbol of belief in eternal life
- In honor and remembrance of veterans who gave part of their lives for defense of the country
- Represents the weaker nature — to trust in God in times of peace and war
- A tribute to the country
- To the heart — where allegiance lies
- A tribute to the armed forces
- A tribute to those who entered the valley of the shadow of death
- A tribute to womanhood and mothers who raised sons to defend the nation
- A tribute to fathers
- In the eyes of Hebrews, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David
- In the eyes of Christians, represents an emblem of eternity
- When folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding of the national motto, "In God We Trust"
The symbolic meanings for the 13 folds are a tradition of the U.S. Air Force and other veterans organizations, not codified in the U.S. Flag Code.
Retiring a Worn Flag
When an American flag is worn, faded, torn, or otherwise unfit for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner. The U.S. Flag Code states it should be "destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."
Flag Retirement Ceremony
The traditional retirement ceremony involves burning the flag in a contained fire, with the following steps:
- Build a suitable fire — large enough to completely burn the flag.
- Hold the flag parallel to the ground, folded in the traditional tri-corner triangle if possible.
- Place the flag on the fire. Stand at attention and salute (for veterans and active military) or place your hand over your heart (for civilians).
- Remain at attention or with hand over heart until the flag is completely consumed.
- Extinguish the fire completely and dispose of the ashes respectfully.
Where to Retire a Flag
If you cannot perform a retirement ceremony yourself:
- VFW Posts and American Legion Posts hold regular flag retirement ceremonies and accept worn flags for respectful disposal.
- Many Boy Scout troops conduct flag retirement ceremonies as a civic activity.
- Some fire departments, civic organizations, and flag retailers accept worn flags for retirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you fly the American flag at night?
Yes, with proper illumination. The Flag Code states the flag should normally be displayed from sunrise to sunset, but may be displayed 24 hours if properly illuminated during darkness. A spotlight or floodlight directed at the flag qualifies as proper illumination.
Can you fly the American flag in the rain?
The Flag Code states the flag should not be displayed in inclement weather unless using an all-weather flag. Most modern nylon and polyester flags are manufactured for all-weather use and can be legally and respectfully flown in rain.
Is it disrespectful to fly a tattered or faded flag?
Yes. The Flag Code states the flag should be retired when it is "no longer a fitting emblem for display." A faded, frayed, or torn flag should be replaced and the old flag retired through a dignified ceremony.
What does it mean when the flag is displayed upside down?
The Flag Code states an upside-down flag is a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property. It should not be used casually or as a form of protest, as it is a recognized emergency distress signal.
How do you properly dispose of an American flag?
The preferred method is burning in a dignified ceremony. The VFW and American Legion hold regular flag retirement ceremonies where you can bring a worn flag. Many Boy Scout troops also conduct retirement ceremonies. The flag should never simply be thrown in the trash.
Can the American flag be washed?
Yes — washing a dirty flag is a sign of respect, not disrespect. Nylon and polyester flags can generally be machine washed on a gentle cycle in cold water and air-dried. Cotton flags should be hand-washed or dry-cleaned. Always check the manufacturer's care instructions.