Fold the flag in half width-wise twice. To form the perfect triangle, begin folding at the striped end and work through until the only the field of stars is exposed. Then, take the remaining fabric and fold down and tuck inside the triangle.

How to Display the Flag

Over a Street - suspend vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.

Over the Sidewalk - suspend from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, hoist out union first, from the building.

On a Wall Mount Pole - display from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the windowsill, balcony, or front of a building, with the union of the flag at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff.

When not on a Staff - display flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed 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, which is with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. 

When on a Stage - 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 and the viewer's left, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.

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).

When in a Group - Always fly the U.S. Flag at the peak when on the same halyard as other state or municipal flags. 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.

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. The order of precedence for flags generally is National flags (US first, then others in alphabetical order in English), State (host state first, then others in the order of admission) and territories (Washington DC, Puerto Rico, etc.), Military (in order of establishment: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard), then other.

Flying with State flags - 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.

Flying at Half-Staff - First hoist the flag to the top of the pole for an instant, then lower to half-staff. It is considered proper to raise to the top again before it is lowered for the day. Also see our half staff page...

From a Car - When the flag is displayed on a car, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.

Over a Casket -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.

Destroying an Old Flag - Section 4 of the Flag Code states, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." We recommend that you contact your local VFW Chapter and ask them for help properly disposing of your flag.