How to Display the Flag
PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION
1.
When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be
suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west
street or to the east in a north and south street.
2.
The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with
another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right,
the flag's own right [that means the viewer's left --Webmaster], and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
3.
The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak
for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag
should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. By
"half-staff" is meant lowering the flag to one-half the distance between
the top and bottom of the staff. Crepe streamers may be affixed to
spear heads or flagstaffs in a parade only by order of the President of
the United States.
4.
When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies
are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the
latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from
adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first
and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag
of the United States or to the right of the flag of the United States.
5.
When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a
house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted
out, union first, from the building.
6.
When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting
horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a
building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the
staff unless the flag is at half-staff.
7.
When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that
the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not
be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
8.
When the flag is displayed in a manner other than by being flown from a
staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When
displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union
should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the
observer's left. When displayed in a window it should be displayed in
the same way, that is with the union or blue field to the left of the
observer in the street. When festoons, rosettes or drapings are desired,
bunting of blue, white and red should be used, but never the flag.
9.
That the flag, when carried in a procession with another flag, or
flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag's own
right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of
that line.
10.
The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at
the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or
localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from
staffs.
11.
When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown
from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of
approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the
flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.
12.
When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium on or off a
podium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the
position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the
position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the
audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of
the clergyman or speaker (to the right of the audience).
13. When the flag is displayed on a car, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
14. When hung in a window, place the blue union in the upper left, as viewed from the street.
Flag Sizes
What size flag should hang on what size flagpole? The
usual size of a flag used at home is 3'x5'. On houses, a 15' or 20'
flagpole should fly a 3'x5' flag. A 25' flagpole should use a 4'x6'
flag.
The following table shows the appropriate size for public display (not home-use) of the flag:
| flagpole |
|
flag |
|
flagpole |
|
flag |
| 20' |
4'x6' |
|
50' |
8x12'-10x15' |
| 25' |
5'x8' |
|
60'-65' |
10'x15'-10'x19' |
| 30'-35' |
6'x10' |
|
70'-80' |
10'x19'-12'x18' |
| 40'-45' |
6'x10-8'x12' |
|
90'-100' |
20'x38'-30'x50 |
