When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate and adjacent flagpoles that are of the same height and in a straight line, the Flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor -- to its own right.

When displayed in a "sunburst" grouping of flags from states or localities or pennants of societies, the flag should be at the center and at the highest point. The other flags may be the same size or smaller but none may be larger.

No other flag should be placed above the U.S. Flag with three exceptions.  One is for church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church flag may be flown above the U.S. Flag during the church services for Navy personnel.  The second is at the United Nations Headquarters where the United Nations Flag may be flown above flags of all nations. Third is a tradition that the flags of other nations may fly above the U.S. Flag during award ceremonies at the Olympic Games.

When flown on adjacent flagpoles with other flags, or pennants of states, communities or societies of the United States, the U.S. Flag is always the first flag to be raised and the last to be lowered.

When national flags of other countries are flown in a group setting, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size or nearly so. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously because the flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.  

The United States flag is always positioned to its own right. This places it to the left of an audience facing the flag in an auditorium or, if outside a building, to the left of any other flags displayed with it, as seen from the perspective of a viewer on the street looking toward the building.  In some instances where the U.S. Flag is surrounded by an audience, a judgment my be required.  Please call or email National Flag Foundation if you have questions at 412-261-1776 or flag@americanflags.org.