Flag Precedence & UN Order (Printable Guide)
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Quick reference for arranging U.S., state, military, organizational, and international flags for ceremonies, lobbies, and outdoor displays. Keep all flags in good repair and follow lighting/half-staff guidance.
U.S. Flag Precedence (Domestic Displays)
- U.S. Flag (position of honor)
- State Flags (host state first, then others A–Z by state name)
- Territories (e.g., PR, GU, VI, AS, MP)
- County / Municipality
- Institutional / Organizational (schools, agencies, companies)
- Personal / Ceremonial (e.g., unit guidons)
Rule of honor: The U.S. flag is at its own right (the flag’s right-hand side). From the audience view, that is typically the left end of a straight line, or the center of a semicircle.
U.S. Armed Services Order (Flag/Color Guard)
- United States Army
- United States Marine Corps
- United States Navy
- United States Air Force
- United States Space Force
- United States Coast Guard (moves ahead of Navy only when operating as part of the Department of the Navy in wartime)
POW/MIA: When flown on the same halyard as the U.S. flag, POW/MIA is directly below the U.S. flag. In a line of multiple poles, place POW/MIA next in precedence after the U.S. flag.
International Displays in the United States
- When the U.S. flag is displayed with other national flags, all national flags are of equal size and flown at the same height.
- Arrange foreign national flags in English alphabetical order by country name (e.g., Argentina, Australia, Austria…).
- The U.S. flag takes the place of honor: at its own right end of the line or at the center of a semicircle.
- No national flag should fly higher than another; do not place organizational flags in the line of sovereign flags.
UN Order (Alphabetical, Equal Status)
For UN-style arrangements (e.g., academic/international events), member-state flags are displayed in English alphabetical order, all at equal height/size. There is no “superior” position. If including non-member observers (e.g., Holy See, State of Palestine) or supranationals (e.g., European Union), place them after member states per event protocol.
| Example (Left → Right) |
|---|
| Argentina — Armenia — Australia — Austria — Azerbaijan — Bahamas — Bahrain — Bangladesh … |
If the event is hosted in the U.S., you may still position the U.S. flag separately at a podium (speaker’s right/audience left) while keeping the line of nations strictly alphabetical and equal.
Podiums, Rooms & Processions
- Podium (U.S.): U.S. flag at the speaker’s right (audience left). State/other flags at the speaker’s left.
- Crossed staffs: U.S. staff in front, to its own right. Staffs should not be truly “crossed” at the finial.
- Procession: U.S. flag on the marching right; if in a row, centered front.
- Same halyard: U.S. flag always at the peak, except at half-staff (raise fully, then lower).
- Multiple poles: U.S. flag on the rightmost pole from the flags’ perspective (audience left) or centered higher if a dedicated central pole exists.
Half-Staff & Illumination
- Half-staff: Raise briskly to the peak, then lower to half-staff; retire by raising to the peak before lowering.
- Night display: If flown after dark, the U.S. flag should be properly illuminated.
- Weather: Use all-weather flags outdoors; in severe weather, consider temporary removal to preserve the flag.
Quick Examples
1) U.S., State, City (3 poles)
Audience view, left → right: U.S. — State — City
2) U.S. with Other Nations (5 poles, straight line)
Left → right: U.S. — Argentina — Australia — Canada — Japan
(Foreign flags in English alphabetical order; all equal height/size.)
3) Semicircle of Nations
U.S. centered on the arc; foreign flags arrayed left/right in alphabetical order.
Do’s & Don’ts
- Do keep all flags the same size when displaying multiple national flags together.
- Do place organizational flags after sovereign and governmental flags.
- Don’t fly a national flag higher than another nation’s flag.
- Don’t place decorative pennants in the line of national flags.
- Do retire worn flags respectfully and replace frayed fly ends promptly.
Prepared for quick reference by Tidmore Flags. For poles, indoor sets, and replacement flags, visit tidmoreflags.com.
