How to Display the American Flag with Other Flags

Flying the American flag is one of the best ways to showcase your patriotism and love for our great country. However, if you're not displaying it correctly, you may not be giving our ensign the respect it deserves.

Learning proper flag etiquette can help ensure you create a beautiful and respectful flag display, whether at home, in the office, or anywhere you want to show your American pride. In this blog, we'll discuss the key principles for displaying our country's flag as outlined in the U.S. Flag Code so you can be sure to place it in a position of honor.

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How to Fly the American Flag with Other Flags: A Situation-by-Situation Guide

The guidelines for flying the American flag alongside other flags vary depending on the situation. Whether displaying your flag on a pole, stage, or parade, it is important that the American flag is always in a position of honor, indicating its status as the governing force of our nation.

On a Pole with Another Flag

When flying an American flag on the same flagpole as another flag, like a state, organizational, or military flag, the flag of the United States should be at the highest point. No other flag should ever fly above the American flag on the same pole.

Additionally, to ensure the display is done in the proper way, make sure that the additional flags are smaller and fly lower on the flagpole.

For example, if you're flying a state or military flag representing the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, or Air Force, it should be no larger than 3' x 5' if flown under a 4' x 6' United States flag. Interestingly, in the Navy, when flying the American flag with other flags of cities, states, or organizations on the same staff, the only time the U.S. flag doesn't have to be at the top is during church services performed by Naval chaplains while at sea.

Before choosing this type of flag display, make sure the pole is equipped to fly multiple flags at once. According to our Flag Pro Stefanie Worcester, most residential flagpoles are only designed to fly one flag at a time.

If you want to fly more than one flag on a flagpole, we recommend choosing either a telescopic flagpole or upgrading to a commercial one. If you're unsure about the appropriate flag sizes for your display, refer to our helpful chart below for guidance.

Flagpole	Recommended Flag Sizes (If Flying Two Flags)
15 ft	2 x 3 ft, 12 x 18 in
20 ft	3 x 5 ft, 2 x 3 ft
25 ft	4 x 6 ft, 3 x 5 ft
30 ft	5 x 8 ft, 4 x 6 ft
35 ft	6 x 10 ft, 5 x 8 ft
40 ft	6 x 10 ft, 5 x 8 ft
50 ft	8 x 12 ft, 6 x 10 ft
60 ft	10 x 15 ft, 8 x 12 ft
70 ft	12 x 18 ft, 10 x 15 ft

With Flags of Other Nations

The display of the U.S. flag alongside the flags of other nations follows specific guidelines. Each national flag should be flown on a separate flagpole of equal height, and all flags should be the same size. While the American flag shouldn’t be flown higher than the other national flags, it must be raised first and lowered last to maintain its position of honor.

It's important never to display another nation's flag on the same halyard as the U.S. flag. When the flags are arranged on adjacent staffs, the American flag should always be flown on its own right (the observer’s left) to ensure it holds the place of prominence in the order of precedence.

From a Staff Adjacent to Others

When displaying numerous flags like those representing the armed forces, the American flag should always be on the viewer's left of the other ensigns. This positioning puts Old Glory in a place of honor in the flag display.

You can also mount numerous flags at your home or office using wall-mounted flagpoles. It's important to make sure all adjoining flags are the same size or smaller than the U.S. flag and placed to its right.

We recommend placing the American flag on the left of your front or back door when facing the street and any other flags to its right. This arrangement ensures that the U.S. flag holds the position of honor and is especially fitting for patriotic celebrations like Flag Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day.

In a Group of Flags

When flying the American flag in a group of flags, it should be placed in the center and at the highest point if multiple flags are flying on the same staff. If every flag is placed at equal heights, the U.S. flag should still be in the center or at the greatest position of honor.

Please note that when flying the American flag at half-staff, all other flags in the grouping must also be lowered to the same height. The U.S. flag should never fly beneath any other flag, whether it's state, local, military, or international.

Crossed Staffs with Another Flag

Often, you'll see the American flag crossed staffs with another flag during times of peace at governmental buildings like Congress. To recreate this beautiful display, make sure the American flag is placed on its own right or the viewer's left and its staff is in front of the other flag's staff. By placing the U.S. flag in front of the other ensign, it keeps it in its proper place of honor.

When Carried in a Parade

In a parade, the U.S. flag should be in one of two positions: either Old Glory leads the parade by itself, or it is placed at the right of the color guard as they face forward. From the onlooker’s perspective, this means the U.S. flag will appear on the left. No flag should ever be carried higher than the American flag during a parade.

In an Auditorium or Church Setting

American flag displays on stage in churches or auditoriums should place the flag on the speaker's right side or the audience's left. If hanging on a wall behind the speaker, the union or the blue field should be in the upper left corner when viewed by the audience.

By following these simple guidelines, you can ensure that every American flag display pays due honor and respect to our nation's great ensign.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions about how to properly display your American flag? Check out our frequently asked questions below to ensure your display follows the Flag Code and shows proper respect to our nation’s symbol.

How Do I Display the National Flag with Two Other Flags?

When displaying the American flag with other flags on the same flagpole, the U.S. flag should be at the highest point with all others beneath it. For state flags, display the host state flag first and all others in alphabetical order. For city, county, or locality flags, fly them in order of precedence.

If you're flying a company flag, you should never display it on the same flagpole as the U.S. flag, as the Flag Code explicitly prohibits using an American flag for advertising purposes. You should also never display more than one national flag on the same pole simultaneously. For more information on displaying military flags, read our blog, "The Correct Order of the Military Flags for Your Display."

What Other Flags Can Fly with the American Flag?

You can fly virtually any flag with the American flag, including state, military, POW/ MIA, and novelty flags. However, you cannot place an advertising flag with the U.S. Flag on the same staff or halyard.

What are the Rules for Raising and Lowering the American Flag?

When raising multiple flags at the same time, the American flag should always be the first one raised and placed in a position of honor. This placement can be at the highest point if sharing a flagpole or the most prominent if placed in a grouping. When lowering multiple flags, the American flag should be the last lowered, ensuring its position of honor is protected.

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