News

American Flag Etiquette: The Complete Flag Code Guide For Flying Old Glory Right

There is no better year to get the flag right than 2026. As America marks 250 years of independence, more Stars and Stripes will fly across the country than at any point in living memory. So before you raise yours, here is a clear, practical refresher on the U.S. Flag Code, the set of customs Congress codified in 1942 to guide how civilians display and honor the flag. One important note up front: the Flag Code uses words like should and custom, not must. There are no fines or penalties for breaking it. Displaying the flag how you choose is protected speech. The code is respected because Americans choose to respect it, and following it is simply the most dignified way to honor the nation's banner. WHEN TO FLY THE FLAG The custom is to display the flag from sunrise to sunset. You can fly it around the clock, but only if it is properly illuminated through the hours of darkness. Weather matters too. Take the flag down in rain, snow, or storms unless yours is an all-weather flag built to handle the elements. If you want a banner that can stay out from the Fourth of July through the fall, an all-weather nylon or polyester flag is the practical choice. The code also lists days when the flag should be flown, and the Fourth of July tops the list alongside Flag Day (June 14), Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and others. In 2026, that Fourth carries 250 years of weight behind it. HOW TO DISPLAY IT CORRECTLY A few rules cover the situations most people actually encounter: On a porch or angled staff: The union - the blue field of stars - goes to the peak of the staff, unless the flag is at half-staff. Hung flat against a wall or in a window: The union always goes to the observer's upper left, whether the flag hangs horizontally or vertically. If the stars are on the upper right from the viewer's side, the flag is backwards. This is the single most common mistake people make. In a window facing the street: The union should face outward to the street, which means the union is on the outside viewer's left. With other flags on separate poles: The U.S. flag always takes the position of honor. It flies highest, and on a row it goes to its own right (the viewer's left). On one pole with other flags: Never fly another flag above the U.S. flag. HALF-STAFF, THE RIGHT WAY Half-staff is reserved for national mourning and specific observances, such as Memorial Day (until noon), Patriot Day, and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, or when ordered by the President or a governor. To do it properly, hoist the flag briskly to the peak first, then lower it to the halfway point. When you take it down, raise it back to the peak before lowering it for the day. One quick distinction: half-staff refers to a flag on land, while half-mast refers to a flag on a ship. THE THINGS TO NEVER DO The code is specific about disrespect. The flag should never: Touch the ground, floor, or water beneath it. Be displayed with the union down, except as a genuine distress signal in extreme danger. Be used as clothing, bedding, or drapery, or carried flat. (A flag patch on a uniform or a lapel pin worn over the heart is the proper way to wear the colors.) Carry any added mark, word, or drawing on its surface. Be used for advertising or as a receptacle for carrying anything. CARING FOR AND RETIRING YOUR FLAG A flag that is faded, frayed, or torn is no longer a fitting emblem for display. Many synthetic flags can be hand- or machine-washed on cold to extend their life. When a flag is truly worn out, the code calls for retiring it in a dignified way, preferably by burning in a respectful ceremony. Your local American Legion post or VFW typically holds flag retirement ceremonies, often around Flag Day, and will accept your old flag. FLY IT PROUDLY IN 2026 The semiquincentennial is a once-in-a-lifetime moment to put the flag front and center at your home, and doing it by the book is the best way to honor what it stands for. If your current flag has seen better days, it is worth upgrading before the Fourth - browse our patriotic flags collection for all-weather options built to fly through the celebration and beyond. And if you are decking out the whole house for America's 250th, our America's 250th Anniversary collection has commemorative flags, bunting, and decor made for the milestone. Raise it high, light it right, and let Old Glory lead the celebration.