How to fold a flag in 5 easy steps!

To display your flag in a flag case or shadow box, your flag needs to be folded. Learn how to fold a flag with this simple technique.

Follow the instructions below to easily fold your flag. If you need help, your local fire department, scouting troop, American Legion or VFW post can also help you fold your flag.

By folding a flag in the following manner, the tri-cornered hats worn by the Colonial soldiers during the War of Independence are symbolically recalled.

For larger flags, it can be easier if you have someone helping you. If so, you can each hold one end of the flag as you follow the instructions below. If you’re alone, you can lay the flag out flat in front of you, with the blue field and white stars in the upper left corner, as shown in the animation below.

1. Fold the flag in half width-wise, from bottom to top. Do this by folding the lower striped section of the flag up to cover the blue field. The folded edge will now be on the bottom part of the flag. Try to keep the flag smooth and flat. Keep the fabric as tight as possible during the folding process.

2. Fold the flag in half width-wise a second time, bringing the folded bottom edge up to meet the top open edge. The stars should now be visible on the left-hand side.

3. Starting at the far lower right corner of the striped end, fold a triangle to the top of the flag, from right to left.

4. Keep folding triangles from right to left until you are left with one triangle made of stars on a blue field. Keep the folds as tight and flat as possible.

5. Tuck in the remaining fabric into the folds of the triangle.

Congratulations! You now have a perfectly folded American flag!

Note: this process can stretch a flag at first, which is normal, but it can make the flag too big to fit into a flag case. If this happens, simple re-fold the flag two or three times. This will tighten up the flag and it will be ready for display in your flag case or shadow box. If your folded flag seems too thick to fit in your flag case or shadow box, you can wrap the folded flag in a bag or a towel and compress the flag beneath a heavy weight to make it less thick.