The American flag is a symbol of the United States and displaying it in a respectful manner is an important factor in honoring that symbolism. Lucky for us, the federal flag code has specified a set of guidelines for flag etiquette. While the federal code won’t penalize you for not following the guidelines, most Americans feel like it’s important to show our pride respectfully!

Here are a few of the top questions we get when it comes to properly displaying your American flag.

How do I correctly display the American flag with other flags?

When flying the American flag on the same pole as another flag, the other flag should always be below the U.S. flag.

If the American flag is flown on a separate flagpole next to flagpoles holding state and company flags, the U.S. flag should always be on the left-most pole. The same applies to flying the United States flag next to other national flags. That being said, if you need to put the American flag between other flags, it should be in the middle or highest point.

If your presentation involves crossed poles, the U.S. flag should be on the viewer's left, and its pole should be in front of the other flagpole.

How do I correctly display the American flag with Armed Forces flags?

Similarly, when flying next to Armed Forces flags, the United States flag is flown on the left-most staff from the observer's point of view. Then, the military flags should be in the following order: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Note that this military flag order applies even without the American flag involved.

How do I correctly display the American flag at night?

According to the Flag Code, the American flag should only be displayed at night if properly illuminated. Otherwise, the flag should only be flown from sunrise to sunset. Proper illumination means light source is specifically placed to shine on the flag. Otherwise, there should be a light source sufficient to illuminate the flag so that it is recognizable.

Here is some more information on properly lighting your flagpole.

How do I correctly display the American flag vertically?

If you want to hang the United States flag vertically, the union must be shown on the top left as viewed by passers-by.

How do I correctly display the American flag without a flagpole?

If you are displaying the U.S. flag without a staff, the flag should be hung vertically, whether indoors or out. It should be suspended so that its folds fall free as though the flag were on a flagpole. Always remember to never let the flag touch the ground.

If you want to hang the American flag against a wall, you can vertically or horizontally. However, the union, or blue field, should always be to the viewer's upper lefthand side.

If you display the American flag in a window, the union should be to the observer's upper left from street view

Conclusion

While these certainly aren’t all the rules, they all follow the same theme. The American flag itself is always on the viewer's hand side. And additionally, remember this motto to help keep track of the proper canton placement: “The left has the stars, the right has the bars”!