Flag Protocol: When and How to Fly Your Flag at Half-Staff

Flying the flag at half-staff isn't as simple as just stopping halfway. There is a proper etiquette to follow to show respect. According to the U.S. Flag Code guidelines, you should use a specific sequence when raising or lowering the flag to half-staff. Here are the step-by-step instructions:

  1. Start by raising it to the top – When hoisting the flag in the morning (or whenever you first raise it for the day), raise it quickly all the way to the peak of the pole first. This means running it up to the very top of the flagpole, just for an instant. 

  2. Lower it to half-staff position – After reaching the peak, slowly lower the flag to the half-staff point, which is roughly halfway down the pole. Make sure it is secure at this midpoint. (By definition, "half-staff" means the flag is one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff.) The union (the blue field with stars) should remain on the top side; the whole flag is lower than usual.

  3. Throughout the day – Once the flag is at half-staff, it should remain in that position for the duration of the day or the specified mourning period. If the flag is meant to stay up overnight, make sure it’s illuminated in darkness (as per general flag etiquette). Most often, half-staff observances last from sunrise to sunset of a given day or multiple days.

  4. When taking the flag down – At the end of the day (or the end of the half-staff observance period), you should raise the flag to the top of the pole before lowering it. This protocol, raising it to full height before final lowering, symbolically "completes" the tribute.

How Long Should the Flag Remain at Half-Staff?

How long you keep a flag at half-staff depends on the event or honor being observed. Different occasions have different prescribed durations. Here are the basics for various scenarios under U.S. federal guidelines:

  • Memorial Day: Half-staff only until noon, then returned to full staff for the rest of the day. (This is a unique case; it's the only day where the half-staff duration is explicitly half the day.)

  • Single-day national observances (Patriot Day, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Peace Officers Memorial Day, etc.): Flags should be at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on that day, unless a specific time frame is stated. 

  • Death of a President or former President: 30 days at half-staff. This is the longest duration and is meant to honor the memory of the nation's leader. 

  • Death of the Vice President, Chief Justice (or retired Chief Justice) of the Supreme Court, or Speaker of the House: 10 days at half-staff following the day of death.

  • Death of other high federal or state officials: From the day of death until the day of interment (burial). This category includes officials like an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Cabinet-level Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the sitting Governor of a U.S. state or territory. The flag remains half-staff for the entire mourning period up to and including the funeral day.

  • Death of a Member of Congress: Two days – the day of death and the following day, the flag is to be flown at half-staff. (This applies for both U.S. Senators and Representatives.)

  • Tragic national events: The length of time is determined by the President’s proclamation. It can vary depending on the severity and impact of the event. Often it might be a few days. For example, after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush initially ordered flags at half-staff for about five days, and then extended it to last through September 22, 2001 (11 days total) as the nation mourned. Similarly, after other tragedies like mass shootings or natural disasters, you might see flags lowered for a day or multiple days as specified by the President.

In any case of an official half-staff order, the proclamation or announcement will usually state how long the flag should remain lowered (often phrased as "until sunset on such-and-such date" or "for a period of X days"). It’s important to follow those instructions. If you're ever unsure, reputable websites and news outlets will post the duration when a half-staff order is issued.

In summary, flying the flag at half-staff is a powerful gesture that speaks to our collective respect and mourning. By understanding when and why to lower the flag, and following the proper protocol in doing so, we make sure that this honor is rendered in the dignified manner it deserves. 


The U.S. flag is more than just a piece of cloth; at half-staff, it becomes a reminder of loss, sacrifice, and remembrance. So the next time you see the Stars and Stripes hanging midway down the pole, you'll know the significance behind it – and if it's your responsibility to lower the flag, you'll know exactly how to do it correctly, honoring our flag and what it represents.