How to display, fold, fly at half-staff and retire the American flag, in plain English.
How the U.S. flag is displayed is governed by three bodies of rules: the U.S. Flag Code (Title 4 of the U.S. Code) for civilians, each military service’s regulations for the armed forces, and international protocol for flags of many nations together.
This guide covers the essentials most schools, businesses and families need. For an event or a permanent display, ask for a protocol consultation.
After the U.S. flag and state flags. In wartime, when the Coast Guard serves under the Navy, its flag follows the Navy’s.
Raise the flag briskly to the peak first, then lower it to half-staff. Before taking it down for the day, raise it to the peak again.
| Occasion | How long |
|---|---|
| Memorial Day (last Monday in May) | Half-staff until noon, then full-staff until sunset |
| Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15) | Half-staff all day |
| Korean War Veterans Armistice Day (July 27) | Half-staff all day |
| Patriot Day (September 11) | Half-staff all day |
| Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7) | Half-staff all day |
| Death of a President or former President | 30 days |
| Death of the Vice President, Speaker of the House or Chief Justice | 10 days |
| By proclamation of the President or the Governor | As the proclamation states |
Fold the flag lengthwise twice, then make 13 triangular folds starting from the fly end, until only the blue field and stars show. The triangle recalls the tricorn hats of the Revolution. Folding isn’t part of the Flag Code; it’s a military tradition that civilians have adopted.
When a flag is torn, faded or soiled beyond repair, retire it with dignity, traditionally by burning in a respectful ceremony. The American Flag Institute conducts retirement ceremonies for organizations and communities.
Utah became the 45th state in 1896.
Armed Forces Day is the third Saturday; Memorial Day the last Monday.
The Flag Resolution of 1777, and the U.S. Army’s founding in 1775.
New stars are added to the flag on July 4.
Utah’s state holiday, marking the pioneers’ arrival in 1847.
Half-staff all day in remembrance.
Honoring all who have served.
Half-staff all day in remembrance.
Yes. The U.S. Flag Code allows the flag to fly 24 hours a day when it is properly lit during the hours of darkness.
Pick it up and check that it is clean and undamaged. It does not need to be destroyed. A flag only needs to be retired when it is no longer fit to display.
At the speaker’s right as they face the audience, which is the audience’s left. Other flags stand to the speaker’s left.
Fold it lengthwise twice, then make 13 triangular folds starting from the fly end, until only the blue field and stars show. Folding isn’t in the Flag Code; it is a military tradition that civilians have adopted.
Retire it with dignity, traditionally by burning in a respectful ceremony. The American Flag Institute conducts retirement ceremonies for organizations and communities.
Raise the flag briskly to the peak first, then lower it to half-staff. Before taking it down for the day, raise it to the peak again.
Get the order, placement and hardware right the first time with a protocol consultation.
