Below are excerpts from the Flag Code as approved by the U.S. Congress under The United States Code.

1. The universal custom is to display the Flag ONLY from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired The Flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during hours of darkness.

2. The Flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.

3. When the Flag is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from a window sill, balcony, or front of a building: the union (the white stars on the blue field) of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.

4. When displayed in a manner other than from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the observer’s left. (see illustration above)

5. Display the Flag daily on, or near, the main administration building of every public institution.

6. When displayed over the middle of the street, the Flag should be suspended vertically with the union to the north on an east-west street or to the east on a north-south street.

7. Do not display the Flag on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is used.

8. When displayed at half-staff, the Flag should first be hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The Flag should be raised again to the peak before it is lowered for the day.

9. The Flag should never be used as clothing, bedding, or as a drapery.

10. Do not drape the Flag over the hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle, or a railroad train or a boat. When the Flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.

11. Do not allow the Flag to touch the ground.

12. When used to cover a casket, the Flag should be placed so that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased. The Flag should not be lowered into the grave nor allowed to touch the ground.

13. When the United States Flag is displayed with a group of other flags of states/localities, or pennants of societies, the United States Flag should be at the center and at the highest point of the group.

14. When flags of states, cities or societies are flown on the same halyard with the Flag of the United States of America, the U.S. Flag should always be at the peak.

15. When the flags of two or more nations are displayed, they should be flown from separate staffs of the same height and the flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.

16. When carried in a procession with another flag or flags, the Flag of The United States should either be on the marchers’ right or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line of flags.