Flying the American flag is one of the simplest ways to show pride in your country, and there are a few rules worth knowing. Most of them come from the U.S. Flag Code, and Texas adds its own rules for the state flag. Here's a plain-English guide from a veteran-owned flag company, plus how to tell when your flag has earned its retirement.
Raising and lowering
- Raise it briskly, lower it slowly and with care.
- Keep it off the ground. If it touches the ground by accident, you don't have to destroy it. Pick it up, and if it's still in good shape, keep flying it. Wash it if it's dirty.
- Hoist it all the way to the top of the pole unless you're flying it at half-staff.
Flying at night
The tradition is to fly the flag from sunrise to sunset. You can fly it 24 hours a day as long as it's properly lit after dark. A light aimed at the flag is best. A solar or LED flagpole light mounted at the top of the pole keeps your flag lit all night without any wiring.
Flying in bad weather
The Flag Code says not to fly the flag in bad weather unless it's an all-weather flag. Today, nylon and polyester flags are all-weather flags, so they can stay up in rain. In a storm or hurricane-force wind, take it down to protect both the flag and the pole.
Half-staff
- Raise it to the top first, pause for a moment, then lower it to half-staff. At the end of the day, raise it back to the top before lowering it.
- Memorial Day is special: the flag flies at half-staff until noon, then goes back to full staff.
- Half-staff orders come from the President or the Governor. Check our half-staff notifications to stay current.
- Can't lower your flag? On a pole you can't adjust, such as a house-mounted bracket, you can attach a black mourning streamer to the top instead.
Flying the Texas flag with the American flag
Texas law spells this out:
- Same pole: the U.S. flag goes on top and the Texas flag below it.
- Two poles side by side: the poles should be the same height and the flags about the same size. The U.S. flag goes on the left as people look at them. Raise the U.S. flag first and lower it last.
The same rule applies to company, military or sports flags: the U.S. flag always goes in the position of honor. Our flagpole height guide covers what size flags to use for your pole.
When to replace your flag
No flag lasts forever, especially in Texas sun and wind. Look your flag over once a month. It's time for a new one when you see:
- Fraying or tearing at the fly end, the edge farthest from the pole. Small frays can sometimes be trimmed and re-hemmed, but once they spread, replace the flag.
- Fading, when the red has gone pink or the blue has gone gray.
- Holes, loose stitching, or grommets pulling out of the header.
- Stains that won't wash out.
A few things make a flag last longer: take it down in severe weather, keep the pole and rope in good shape so the flag doesn't snag, and consider a heavier-weight flag if your pole sits in a windy spot. Many people keep a spare on hand so they can swap it out right away.
Retiring a worn-out flag
The Flag Code says a worn flag should be retired with dignity, traditionally by burning. You don't have to do it yourself. Many American Legion and VFW posts accept worn flags and retire them in a ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14.
Need a new flag or a hand with your pole?
Ameritex Flag & Flagpole is veteran-owned and has been helping Texans fly the flag since 2007. Shop American flags and Texas flags in every size. If your rope is broken or the flag is stuck, we handle flagpole repair around San Antonio and the Hill Country.