To fold an American flag, make two lengthwise folds, then form tight triangles from the striped end until only the blue union shows.
If you came here to learn how to fold an American flag the way honor guards do it, you’re in the right place. The steps below teach a clean, respectful triangle fold that works for home displays, schools, scout units, memorial services, and daily flag-detail duty. You’ll also see common mistakes, fixes, gear tips, and care notes so the flag looks sharp every time.
How To Fold An American Flag: Quick Steps
- Stage the flag. Two people face each other, holding the flag waist-high and taut with the union (blue field) to the left of the person on the flag’s right end.
- First lengthwise fold. Bring the lower striped half up over the union so edges meet. Smooth the fabric.
- Second lengthwise fold. Fold again so the folded edge meets the open edge. Keep the union on the outside.
- Start the triangle. From the striped end, bring the bottom corner up to the top edge to form a triangle.
- Continue the triangles. Flip the triangle forward along the length of the flag. Keep the edges tight and square.
- Finish at the union. Continue until only a neat blue triangle remains. Tuck the last flap into the pocket formed by the folds.
These steps mirror the method demonstrated by military honor guards and civic groups. The approach aligns with respectful handling in the U.S. Flag Code, which lays out customs for care and display. You can read the law in 4 U.S.C. § 8, and see a concise step sequence in the VA folding guide.
Where People Trip Up
Wrinkles create gaps between triangles. Loose hands cause sag and uneven edges. Rushing the tuck at the end leaves a tail. The fixes are simple: pull the cloth firm before each flip, keep hands under tension, and square the corners on every move.
Flag Sizes, Team Setup, And Typical Uses
Pick the right team size and plan the fold before you start. This quick table helps you match flag size to a smooth, controlled fold within one minute.
| Flag Size | Typical Team Size | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 3′ × 5′ | 2 people | Home, classroom, small pole |
| 4′ × 6′ | 2–3 people | Public rooms, gyms |
| 5′ × 8′ | 3–4 people | Large indoor poles |
| 5′ × 9½’ | 4–6 people | Casket/burial flag |
| 6′ × 10′ | 4–6 people | Outdoor building mount |
| 8′ × 12′ | 6–8 people | Small municipal pole |
| 10′ × 15′ | 8+ people | Large municipal pole |
Setup And Etiquette Basics
Handle the flag with steady, respectful movements. Keep it from touching the ground. Keep the union on the observer’s left during display, and on the outside during the fold. The Flag Code covers respectful treatment, display positions, and retirement when a flag is worn or damaged. See the current text of § 8 “Respect for flag” for the underlying rules and customs.
Gear That Helps
- Cotton gloves: Add grip and keep oils off the cloth.
- Flat, clean surface nearby: Good for staging and smoothing between folds.
- Storage case: A triangle display case keeps the shape and protects from dust and light.
Folding An American Flag Correctly: Detailed Method
Here’s the full fold with pro-level cues you can call out while you work. If you’re training a team, assign a caller to set the pace.
Stage And Square
- Face each other. Hold the flag level and tight, waist-high. Corners should be pinched, not balled up.
- Blue field stays to the holder’s left on the right-end of the flag. That puts the union toward the place of honor when you finish.
- Check the wind. Shift one step to shield the cloth so it doesn’t billow and sag.
Two Lengthwise Folds
- Lift the lower edge up to meet the top edge. Smooth from the center out to the corners.
- Fold once more, edge to edge. Keep the union facing out. This sets up a narrow strip for clean triangles.
Triangle Sequence
- From the striped end, bring the lower corner to meet the top edge, forming a right triangle.
- Flip the triangle forward so the side aligns with the strip’s edge. Keep the fold tight.
- Repeat. Each flip stacks edge to edge, building small, even triangles. If slack appears, pause and pull snug.
- At the union, you’ll have a small flap. Tuck it neatly into the pocket created by the previous fold.
This is the same technique shown by honor guards and documented in Army drill materials and VA public guides. The VA diagram tracks each move with clear pictures, and Army drill circulars teach the sequence during color-guard training.
Timing And Pace
A 3′ × 5′ flag should take about 30–45 seconds with two trained people. Larger flags take longer and need more hands to keep tension. A slow, steady cadence beats a fast, sloppy fold every time.
How To Fold An American Flag For Display Cases
Display cases are built for the triangle formed by the fold. For a tight fit:
- Keep the second lengthwise fold as narrow as the case depth allows.
- Reduce slack between triangles by pulling the strip tight before each flip.
- Seat the finished triangle in the case with the blue field facing front and the long side down.
What To Do With A Burial Flag
A 5′ × 9½’ burial flag folds into a larger triangle than a standard 3′ × 5′. It’s often presented to the next of kin by an honor guard. If you need a burial flag or are learning the presentation practice, the VA explains eligibility and how to request one on its page for burial flags.
Team Roles That Keep The Fold Tight
Assign simple roles before you start. Clear jobs prevent sag and wrinkling.
- Caller: Sets pace and gives short commands: “Stage,” “First fold,” “Triangles,” “Tuck.”
- Union bearer: Controls the blue field end and checks edge alignment.
- Striped-end bearer: Starts and flips each triangle, keeps tension.
- Assist (for large flags): Supports the strip midway to prevent bowing.
Common Problems And Fast Fixes
Use this quick reference once you’ve practiced the basics.
| Issue | What You See | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Sagging strip | Triangles slide and gaps form | Add an assist at mid-span; increase hand tension |
| Uneven edges | Misaligned layers, exposed stripes | Pause after each flip; realign the long edge |
| Bulky tip | Large lump at the point | Make smaller, tighter triangles; pull fabric flat |
| Loose final tuck | Tail peeks out of the union | Open the pocket with a finger and seat the flap deeper |
| Wind interference | Fabric billows and twists | Rotate team to shield the cloth; lower the hold a few inches |
| Soiled cloth | Smudges from hands | Use clean gloves; handle edges, not the field |
| Wrong orientation | Union ends up inside the triangle | Re-stage: union on the outside after the second lengthwise fold |
Practice Plan For Scouts, Schools, And Teams
Short, focused practice builds muscle memory. Use a timer and simple targets.
- Week 1: Stage and two lengthwise folds only. Goal: edges align in 10 seconds, no wrinkles.
- Week 2: Add five perfect triangles, stop, reset. Goal: no gaps, square corners.
- Week 3: Full fold with neat tuck. Goal: 45–60 seconds on a 3′ × 5′.
- Week 4: Large-flag drills with assists and caller timing.
Respect, Retirement, And Storage
The Flag Code states that a worn flag should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. Many American Legion and VFW posts run retirement services and will accept flags for proper disposal. For storage, keep the folded triangle in a dry, dark place. If the flag will be displayed in a case, add desiccant and avoid direct sun to protect the dye.
Cleaning And Care
- Light soil: Spot clean gently with cool water and a mild detergent. Air dry flat.
- Heavy soil: Many nylon and polyester flags can be machine-washed on a gentle cycle. Check the label first.
- Repairs: Small edge frays can be trimmed and hemmed. Frays across the field call for retirement.
Ceremonial Touches You Can Add
At memorials and civic events, teams often add a brief pause before the tuck, a synchronized step back, and a silent hand-off. Military honor guards present the triangle to the family with a short presentation script. If you’re planning a public event, rehearse the hand-off so it’s smooth and steady.
Safety And Accessibility Notes
Pick a clear, level area. Keep watchers out of the working space. If a participant has limited reach, assign them to the union side where movements are smaller. For taller flags, use more assists and reduce the strip’s sag by closing distance between hands.
Why These Steps Match Best Practice
The triangle method respects custom, produces a compact shape for cases, and keeps the union visible. It mirrors the sequence shown in military drill training and public resources from federal agencies. For reference, see the VA’s illustrated fold and the Flag Code’s guidance on respectful handling in 4 U.S.C. § 8.
Quick Trainer Script
Use this short script to keep a team in sync. The caller gives each cue, the team moves on the word after the comma.
- “Stage, hold.”
- “First fold, now.”
- “Second fold, smooth.”
- “Triangles, begin.”
- “Tight, flip.”
- “Finish, tuck.”
Display Ideas After The Fold
Place the triangle on a mantel, shelf, or desk where the union faces outward. For a lasting display, use a glass-front triangle case sized to your flag. Add a nameplate for memorials or a unit crest for service displays. Keep heat sources and sunlight away to prevent fading and fabric stress.
Final Pass Checklist
- Union on the outside after the second lengthwise fold.
- Even, tight triangles from striped end to union.
- No red or white showing on the finished face.
- Flat tuck with no tail visible.
Practice Makes The Triangle Perfect
The method here is reliable and teachable. Run the steps a few times, and your team will nail a crisp fold every day. If you’re training new helpers, print the VA step sheet and keep it with your flag kit until the moves are second nature.
You’ll see the phrase “how to fold an American flag” throughout this guide to reflect the exact task many searchers use. The same method applies whether you’re working a daily flag detail, leading a scout meeting, or preparing a display for a memorial service.
With steady hands, firm edges, and the triangle sequence above, you now know how to fold an American flag cleanly, every single time.