How to Display the Alaska State Flag: Etiquette, Law, and Real-World Tips

The Alaska state flag is more than just eight gold stars on a blue field. It’s a teenager’s winning idea, a symbol of the Last Frontier, and a point of pride for Alaskans in schools, public facilities, and homes across the state. But here’s the big question:

Are you flying the Alaska state flag the right way—or just hoping you are?

Between Alaska flag etiquette, the Alaska flag statute, and the special story behind the flag’s folding and retirement, it’s easy to feel unsure. Should the hoist be on the left or at the top? Where does the North Star go in a vertical display? What happens when you fly the Alaska flag with the U.S. flag? And what’s the respectful way to retire a worn state flag?

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to display the Alaska state flag correctly, whether you’re raising it at a school, a public facility, your business, or your own home. We’ll blend state law, tradition, and practical tips—plus share the story of a group of high school cadets who helped shape modern Alaska flag etiquette.

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Why Alaska Flag Etiquette Matters

The Alaska state flag is one of the most beloved and highly ranked flag designs in North America. The blue field, the Big Dipper, and the North Star represent the sky, strength, and Alaska’s place as the northernmost state. When you fly it correctly, you’re not just following a rule—you’re honoring the story behind the flag.

Alaska has taken the extra step of writing some of this etiquette into law. Under the 2024 Alaska Statutes, Title 44, Chapter 09, Sec. 44.09.030, the state lays out how and where the Alaska state flag should be displayed:

• The flag may be flown from sunrise to sunset with the U.S. flag.
• It may also be displayed after sunset for patriotic effect, especially when properly illuminated.
• The U.S. flag and the Alaska flag should be displayed daily, weather permitting, on or near the main administration building of state institutions and in or near every schoolhouse during school days.
• When displayed horizontally in a public facility, the hoist is on the left and the North Star in the upper right.
• When displayed vertically in a public facility, the hoist is at the top and the North Star in the lower right.

That’s the legal framework. But how do you apply it in everyday situations—like in your home, in a storefront window, or alongside an American flag on an outdoor pole?

Horizontal and Vertical Displays: Where the North Star Belongs

One of the biggest sources of confusion with Alaska flag display rules is orientation. The placement of the North Star and the position of the hoist (the side attached to the pole or header) tell you if the flag is being displayed correctly.

Horizontal Display: Hoist on the Left, North Star in the Upper Right

For a proper horizontal display of the Alaska state flag:

• Position the flag so the hoist is on the left when you face it.
• Ensure the North Star appears in the upper right corner of the field.

This applies whether the flag is on a wall in a public facility, in a school gym, or hanging indoors at home. If you imagine the flag as a picture on the wall, the side that would attach to a pole goes on the left; the stars are “floating” up toward the top right.

Vertical Display: Hoist at the Top, North Star in the Lower Right

A vertical display of the Alaska flag can look striking in a lobby, school hallway, or church. The challenge is getting the orientation right.

For a proper vertical display:

• Hang the flag with the hoist at the top.
• Ensure the North Star appears in the lower right corner when facing the flag.

This may feel counterintuitive at first, but it keeps the constellation and North Star in a position consistent with the design intent and the Alaska flag statute.

Quick memory aid: Horizontal = North Star in the upper right. Vertical = North Star in the lower right.

Displaying the Alaska State Flag with the U.S. Flag

Whenever the Alaska state flag is flown with the U.S. flag, the U.S. flag must always be in the position of honor. This rule isn’t unique to Alaska; it’s drawn from the U.S. Flag Code, but it applies very specifically when you’re setting up state and national flags together.

Here are the key guidelines:

• Separate poles: The U.S. flag should fly on its own pole, placed to the observer’s left
• Same pole: If flown on the same halyard (not usually recommended for state and national flags), the U.S. flag must be at the top.
• Indoor stage or platform: The U.S. flag should be to the speaker’s right (observer’s left), with the Alaska flag to the speaker’s left.

In short, when thinking about Alaska flag etiquette with the U.S. flag, remember that the Alaska flag is honored as a state symbol—but the national flag still holds ultimate precedence.

Windows, Night Displays, and Everyday Alaska Flag Etiquette

The law and etiquette don’t stop at flagpoles. Many Alaskans display their flags in windows, entryways, and indoor public spaces.

Displaying the Alaska Flag in a Window

If you’re hanging your Alaska flag in a window, think about what it looks like from outside:

• Display the flag so that the blue field is to the left of the observer looking at it from the street.
• The North Star still needs to be in the correct corner (upper right for a horizontal display).

This ensures that anyone passing by sees the design as intended, with the Big Dipper and North Star properly oriented.

Can the Alaska State Flag Be Flown at Night?

Under Alaska flag statute 44.09.030, the Alaska flag is to be displayed from sunrise to sunset, or other hours designated by proper authority. However, the law specifically allows it to be displayed after sunset:

“…the flag may be displayed after sunset upon special occasions when it is desired to produce a patriotic effect.”

In practice—and in harmony with U.S. Flag Code recommendations—many people fly flags at night if they are properly illuminated. A well-lit Alaska flag, especially alongside a lit U.S. flag, can be a powerful nighttime symbol of pride.

Question for you: If you drive past your own property at night, would you be proud of how your Alaska flag looks—or would it be practically invisible?

The Story Behind House Bill 98 and Alaska Flag Folding Etiquette

One of the most interesting parts of Alaska flag etiquette isn’t just in formal statute—it comes from a group of motivated students.

At Dimond High School in Anchorage, a group of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadets set out to research how to properly display, fold, and retire the Alaska state flag. They quickly discovered something surprising: there weren’t clear, official instructions.

They experimented. They folded. They tested different methods until they landed on a respectful, repeatable way to handle the flag—one that made sense visually and symbolically.

Their work got the attention of state legislators, including Representative Craig Johnson. The result was House Bill 98, a measure that helped formally define Alaska flag etiquette, including display and folding practices.

The cadets concluded that the Alaska flag should be folded into a rectangle with the North Star on top. To make it easy to teach, they described it with a simple, kid-friendly memory device:

• Fold it like a hot dog bun: lengthwise, twice.
• Fold it like a hamburger bun: crosswise, three times.

The final result? A neat rectangle, blue field visible, North Star showing on top—a respectful, uniquely Alaskan way to handle the flag.

That story—students doing the research, legislators listening, and etiquette emerging from real-world use—captures something special about Alaska. Handling the flag properly isn’t about fear of penalties (there are no legal penalties for getting it wrong); it’s about pride, tradition, and teaching the next generation what the symbols mean.

Retiring a Worn or Tattered Alaska Flag

No flag, even the best quality, lasts forever. Wind, snow, rain, and UV will eventually take their toll. When your Alaska state flag becomes worn or tattered, etiquette expects you to retire it respectfully.

The recommendations inspired by House Bill 98 and related guidance suggest:

• If possible, retire a worn official Alaska state flag in a public ceremony with uniformed military personnel.
• If that is not practical, a respectful private ceremony is also acceptable.
• Many communities, veterans’ groups, and scout troops offer flag retirement services—often for both U.S. and state flags.

The key is intention: the worn flag isn’t trash; it’s a symbol being retired with dignity. As you raise a new Alaska state flag in its place, you’re continuing a story that stretches back to Benny Benson and his original design.

Quick Checklist: Proper Alaska Flag Display & Etiquette

Use this list as a quick reference for correct Alaska state flag display:

• Horizontal display: hoist on the left, North Star in the upper right.
• Vertical display: hoist at the top, North Star in the lower right.
• With the U.S. flag: U.S. flag to the observer’s left or on a separate pole in the position of honor.
• In a window: blue field on the left as viewed from the street.
• Time of day: sunrise to sunset by default; may be flown at night for patriotic effect, ideally illuminated.
• Public facilities & schools: display daily, weather permitting, as required by statute.
• Folding: fold lengthwise twice (hot dog), then crosswise three times (hamburger) to form a rectangle with the North Star on top.
• Retirement: worn flags should be retired in a respectful ceremony, public or private.

FAQ: Alaska Flag Display Rules and Etiquette

Is it illegal to display the Alaska state flag incorrectly?

No. The Alaska flag statute and House Bill 98 outline recommended Alaska flag etiquette, but there are no penalties for not following the display, folding, or retirement methods. The goal is education and respect, not punishment.

Where should the Alaska flag go when flown with the U.S. flag?

The U.S. flag always holds the position of honor. That means: on separate poles, the U.S. flag should be to the observer’s left (flag’s own right); on the same pole (if used), the U.S. flag must be at the top, with the Alaska flag below.

Can I fly the Alaska flag at night?

Yes. While the statute specifies display from sunrise to sunset or other designated hours, it also allows the flag to be flown after sunset for patriotic effect. For best practice, follow U.S. Flag Code guidance and keep any flag flown at night properly illuminated.

How do I know if my Alaska flag is too worn to display?

If the fly end is badly frayed, stitching is failing, or the colors are significantly faded, it’s time to retire the flag. A good rule of thumb: if you’d be embarrassed to see it on a public building, it’s ready for respectful retirement and replacement.

Who can help me retire an old Alaska flag?

Many veterans’ organizations, scout groups, and civic organizations offer flag retirement services. Some will accept both U.S. and Alaska state flags and conduct public or private retirement ceremonies on your behalf.

Ready to Fly the Alaska State Flag with Pride?

When you follow proper Alaska flag display rules—from horizontal and vertical orientation to respectful retirement—you’re not just checking boxes. You’re honoring Alaska’s history, Benny Benson’s design, and the generations of Alaskans who see the flag as a symbol of home.

The last piece of the puzzle is making sure you’re flying a flag that’s built to handle Alaska weather. Material and construction matter just as much as etiquette.

At Tidmore Flags, we offer Alaska state flags in durable nylon and heavy-duty polyester, with quality stitching, strong headers, and hardware designed for real outdoor use.

Find the right Alaska state flag for your pole here:
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Choose the correct size and material for your location, follow the Alaska flag etiquette you’ve learned here, and let the Big Dipper and North Star fly with the respect they deserve.