How to Hang the American Flag the Proper Way: A Flag Etiquette Guide

Displaying the broad stripes and broad stars of the American flag over the land of the free and the home off the brave is the ultimate way to express you star-spangled pride— especially on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.

But when you do so you'll want to make sure you follow the United States Flag Code with proper etiquette. To make it easy to understand, here we break down all the rules and regulations you need to know about displaying your American flag the proper way, whether you are hanging it on a wall or pole, horizontally or vertically, indoors or outdoors, on a house or in a public place.

After all, when you are celebrating the US of A with her most powerful symbol—and the most beautiful places in the U.S.—no detail is too small.

How to Display the American Flag

When displayed with another flag cross-staff against a wall, place the U.S. flag in front of the other flag and to the viewer's left with the union at the peak of the staff.
When displayed on an angled staff from a window or the front a building, the union should be placed at the peak of the staff.
When hung horizontally or vertically against a wall or in a window, the flag must be flat and allowed to hang freely without folds, and the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right (the viewer's left).
No state or city flag may be placed above or to the flag's right (the viewer's left) of the United States flag. Flags of other nations are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height.
The U.S. flag should be at the center and highest point in any groupings of flags displayed from staffs.
If displayed after dark, the flag must be lit. Without proper lighting, the flag may only be displayed from sunrise to sunset.
On vehicles, the flag should be fixed to the front right fender, never draped over a vehicle.

Remember: The flag should not be displayed during inclement weather unless it is an all-weather flag.

How to Fold the American Flag

Note: You'll need two people.

Holding the flag waist-level and parallel to the ground, fold the flag in half lengthwise so that the stripes cover the canton (the blue field of stars). Make another lengthwise fold so that the canton is on top.
Fold the bottom striped corner of the flag upward to meet the top, open edge of the flag, forming a triangle.
Continue to fold the flag into triangles, working back and forth toward the canton.
Once you've reached the canton and have about one square's worth of fabric left, fold the opposite end of the flag inward, and fold the canton into a triangle so that you have two triangles end to end. Tuck the end of the smaller triangle under the fabric of the larger, securing the folds in place.

How to Hoist the American Flag

Raise the flag briskly, but lower it slowly and ceremoniously.
On Memorial Day, always fly the flag at half-staff until noon, then raise it.
When flying at half-staff, hoist the flag to the peak for an instant then lower it to a position halfway between the top and bottom.

American Flag "Don'ts"

Don't use the flag as clothing or drapery.
Don't let the flag touch the ground.
Don't place any mark, letter, number, or drawing on the flag.
Don't display a faded, torn, or tattered flag. Synthetic flags can be washed in cold water with mild detergent, while older flags can be hand-washed with Woolite. Flags damaged beyond repair should be disposed of in a dignified manner, such as burning.
Don't put your flag away unfolded.