How to Hang an American Flag Vertically

Co-authored by Kyle Hall

Last Updated: July 27, 2022 Approved

Displaying the American Flag vertically is a great option if you're hanging it on something different than a traditional flagpole. According to the U.S. Flag Code, displaying an American flag vertically is completely acceptable, as long as you do it respectfully and follow a few basic rules.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Following Flag Etiquette

1
Hang the flag so the union is at the top. Regardless of where you’re hanging the flag vertically, the union (the stars of the flag) should always be at the top. Flying an American flag with the union at the bottom is actually a sign of distress.^{[1]
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2
Hang the flag so the union is on your left if you’re hanging it on a wall. According to the flag code, the union should always be at the top of the flag and to the observer’s left when it’s being displayed on a wall.^{[2]
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3
Have the union point north or east if you’re hanging the flag over a street. If you’re hanging the flag parallel to a street, have the union point north if the street runs north to south, or east if the street runs east to west. If you’re hanging the flag over the street so the flag and street are perpendicular to each other, have the union point east if the street runs north to south, or north if it runs east to west.^{[3]
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4
Hang the flag so the union is the farthest point from any building it’s on. If you’re hanging the flag vertically from a flagpole coming off a building, the union should be in the top corner that’s furthest from the building.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Putting up Your Flag

1
Use tacks to hang the flag vertically on a wall. Hold the flag where you want it on the wall and push a tack through the grommets on the flag’s top corners. The grommets are the small metal rings used to fly the flag on a flagpole.^{[5]
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- If you’re hanging a large, heavy flag, use nails instead so it’s more secure.
2
Hang the flag vertically from a rope if you’re hanging it over a street. Run the rope through the 2 grommets on the flag and then tie the ends of the rope to 2 neighboring street lights or tall objects. Make sure the rope is tied high enough that the flag isn’t touching the ground.^{[6]
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3
Use a flagpole if you want to hang the flag vertically off a building. Mount the flagpole off the building so it makes a 90-degree angle with the side of the building. The flagpole needs to be parallel with the ground so the flag hangs vertically on it.
- Make sure the flagpole you use is long enough to keep the edge of the flag from brushing against the side of the building.

Community Q&A

Question

Viewing from the street, should the the U.S. Flag be on the right and the U.S. Marine flag on the left of the garage?

Community Answer

No, the U.S. flag should be on the left and the U.S. Marine flag should be on the right.
Question

How do you accommodate flying a vertical flag when protocol calls for half staff?

Community Answer

Look for the vertical flag pole that they have now. This will allow the flag to hang.
Question

Why is it important to note compass directions when hanging a flag over a street? What is the significance of the North/East directions?

Community Answer

Observers will approach the flag from different directions, from one with the union on the left, from the reverse with the union on the right. Hence, the standard North/East directional instruction.