How to Fly and Display a Gadsden Flag

Whether it goes on a porch bracket, a garage wall, or a tall in-ground pole, a Gadsden flag looks best and lasts longest when it’s sized, mounted, and cared for properly. This guide covers practical display advice and what federal flag etiquette says about flying a Gadsden flag alongside the American flag.

One thing to know up front: no law sets etiquette rules for the Gadsden flag itself. The U.S. Flag Code (Title 4, Chapter 1 of the U.S. Code) governs the flag of the United States. It matters for Gadsden owners mainly when the two flags fly together. The rest of this page is general good practice, not legal requirement.

Choosing a Size

Flag size should suit the pole and the setting. A flag that’s too big for its pole drags and tangles, and one that’s too small looks lost. As a general guide:

House-mounted poles (porch or wall brackets): 3×5 ft is the most common choice.
Taller in-ground poles: larger flags such as 4×6 or 5×8 ft keep the design readable from a distance. Check your pole maker’s recommended flag size.
Indoors, desks, vehicles, and small spaces: 2×3 ft and smaller, or desk and stick flags.

If you fly a Gadsden flag on the same pole or next to an American flag, choose a Gadsden flag the same size or smaller. The Flag Code says the U.S. flag should hold the place of honor (see below), and a larger second flag works against that.

Materials: Indoor vs. Outdoor

Nylon: lightweight, dries quickly, and flies in a light breeze. A popular all-round outdoor choice.
Polyester (heavier, often “2-ply”): holds up better in strong, steady wind but needs more breeze to fly.
Printed vs. sewn or embroidered: printed flags are lighter and cheaper. Sewn or embroidered flags look richer and often last longer outdoors.
Brass grommets and reinforced fly ends are worth looking for, since the fly end (the edge farthest from the pole) wears out first.

Flying a Gadsden Flag With the U.S. Flag

The U.S. Flag Code doesn’t mention the Gadsden flag. Its rules about other flags are written to protect the U.S. flag’s position of honor, and they apply whenever a Gadsden flag, which counts as a non-national flag like a society or organization pennant, flies alongside it. From 4 U.S.C. § 7:

Same pole: “When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak.” Put the U.S. flag on top and the Gadsden flag below it.
Separate poles: “When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag’s right.” The U.S. flag’s own right is the viewer’s left, so in a row of poles the U.S. flag goes on the far left as you face them, or in the center.
General rule: “No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America.”
Groups of flags: “The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.”

The Flag Code is advisory. Wikipedia, summarizing a Congressional Research Service report and court decisions, notes that the code uses non-binding language like “should” and “custom” and “does not prescribe any penalties for failure to follow the guidelines.”

Flying at Night

For the U.S. flag, 4 U.S.C. § 6 says: “It is the universal custom 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 the hours of darkness.” No such rule applies to a Gadsden flag flown alone. But if it shares a pole with the U.S. flag that stays up at night, light both.

Wall and Window Display

For a Gadsden flag hung on a wall or in a window, keep the design facing the right way so the motto reads normally and the snake sits on the bottom. Hang it flat, and keep it out of strong direct sun if you want to slow fading. Indoor flags framed behind UV-filtering glass last much longer.

Care and Cleaning

Take it down in severe weather. Strong wind and ice are the fastest way to fray a flag.
Wash gently. Most nylon and polyester flags can be hand-washed in cool water with mild detergent and air-dried. Follow the maker’s label.
Dry before storing. Fold and store flags only when completely dry, to prevent mildew.
Fix fraying early. Trimming and re-hemming a frayed fly end can extend a flag’s life.
Rotate flags. Swapping between two flags spreads out the wear.

Retiring a Worn Flag

For the U.S. flag, 4 U.S.C. § 8 says that when the flag is “no longer a fitting emblem for display,” it “should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” That rule applies only to the U.S. flag. Many Gadsden owners choose a similarly respectful retirement for a worn-out flag, and you can also simply replace it.

HOAs, Leases, and Local Rules

Private agreements such as HOA covenants, leases, and workplace dress codes can limit what you display, and local rules may cover pole height or placement. Check yours before installing a new pole.

Ready to fly one? Shop flags at the Our Gadsden Flag store. Then learn the story behind it: Gadsden flag history, Gadsden flag variations, and First Navy Jack vs. Gadsden flag.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fly a Gadsden flag on the same pole as the American flag?

Yes. Under 4 U.S.C. § 7, the U.S. flag should always be at the peak, so put the Gadsden flag below it.

Which side does the Gadsden flag go on next to the U.S. flag?

On separate poles, the U.S. flag should be on its own right, which is the viewer’s left. The Gadsden flag goes to the viewer’s right, and should not be higher.

Does the U.S. Flag Code apply to the Gadsden flag?

Not directly. The Flag Code governs the U.S. flag. It matters for a Gadsden flag only when the two are displayed together, to keep the U.S. flag in the place of honor. The code is also advisory and carries no penalties.

What size Gadsden flag should I buy?

3×5 ft is the usual choice for house-mounted poles. Go larger for tall in-ground poles and smaller for indoor or vehicle display, and keep it no larger than any U.S. flag it flies with.

Can I fly a Gadsden flag at night?

No federal rule covers a Gadsden flag alone. If it flies with a U.S. flag, the Flag Code’s custom is sunrise to sunset unless the flags are properly lit at night.

Sources

4 U.S.C. § 7, “Position and manner of display” (Cornell LII). https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/7
4 U.S.C. § 6, “Time and occasions for display” (Cornell LII). https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/6
4 U.S.C. § 8, “Respect for flag” (Cornell LII). https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/8
Wikipedia, “United States Flag Code.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Flag_Code