American Flag Size Chart
Every size, with the pole it fits
Pick a flag whose length is about a quarter to a third of your pole’s height.
On a 15 to 20 ft pole, that’s a 3x5 ft flag, which is the size most homes fly. Find your pole below and the chart gives you the size, plus what it looks like in inches.
| Your pole | Flag size | In inches | Where you’ll see it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle or boat mount | 12x18 in | Boats, motorcycles and small antenna mounts | |
| 5 to 6 ft wall-mount pole | 24x36, 30x48 or 36x60 in | Porch brackets and balconies | |
| 15 to 20 ft pole | 3x5 ft Most common |
36x60 in | Homes and small businesses |
| 20 to 25 ft pole | 48x72 in | Mid-size commercial and school poles | |
| 25 to 30 ft pole | 60x96 in | Corporate, municipal and large residential | |
| 30 to 40 ft pole | 72x120 in | Government buildings and dealerships | |
| 40 to 50 ft pole | 96x144 in | Institutions and large civic displays |
A two-story home with a 5 to 6 ft wall-mount pole flying a 3x5 ft flag, and 15, 20, 25, 30 and 40 ft flagpoles flying 3x5, 4x6, 5x8, 6x10 and 8x12 ft flags. A 3x5 ft also fits a 20 ft pole, and a 4x6 ft fits a 25 ft pole.
Flag size by pole height: 15 ft pole, 3x5 ft flag; 20 ft, 4x6 ft; 25 ft, 5x8 ft; 30 and 35 ft, 6x10 ft; 40, 45 and 50 ft, 8x12 ft; 60 and 70 ft, 12x18 ft; 80 ft, 15x25 ft; 100 ft, 20x30 ft; 120, 130 and 140 ft, 20x38 ft; 150 ft, 30x50 ft.
Flag sizes are written height by length. A 3x5 ft flag is 3 ft tall along the pole and 5 ft long from the pole to the free end.
Shop American flags by sizeWhy size matters
Too small and the flag gets lost against the house or the sky. Too big and it catches more wind than your pole and hardware were built for, which wears out the flag sooner.
Measure before you buy
- In-ground pole: measure from the ground to the top of the pole, not counting the part buried below ground.
- Wall-mount pole: measure the pole itself, end to end. Most house poles are 5 or 6 ft.
- In between two rows? Go with the smaller size if the spot gets a lot of wind, and the larger one if it’s sheltered.
Flags for porch and wall brackets
The quarter-to-a-third rule is for in-ground poles. A house pole is short and angled off the wall, so the size depends on how much room you have around the door and how far the flag can hang without dragging on the railing or roof.
- 2x3 ft: for small porches, city balconies and low mounts.
- 2.5x4 ft: the traditional size for a standard house bracket pole.
- 3x5 ft: the most popular house flag, for a bigger porch where you want it to be seen from the street.
The 2x3 ft has become a popular pick for newer homes where a 3x5 ft would crowd the entryway.
Poles 25 ft and taller
On a tall pole, size is also about what the pole and hardware can handle. A flag that’s too big for the pole puts extra strain on the halyard, the snaps and the pole itself every time the wind picks up. For poles from 25 to 50 ft, 5x8, 6x10 and 8x12 ft flags are the standard choices.
Our 5x8 and 6x10 ft flags are 210D nylon, and the 8x12 ft is polyester, which holds up better on large flags that fly in steady wind.
Boats, cars and motorcycles
The 12x18 inch flag is the standard size for vehicles and boats. It’s small enough to sit on an antenna bracket or motorcycle mount without much drag, and big enough to read at a distance. It takes a lot of wind and spray, so heavy-duty nylon matters. Ours is marine-grade 210D nylon. Compare materials in the flag material guide.
Indoor flags on a floor staff
Courtrooms, offices, auditoriums and ceremonies use a floor staff instead of an outdoor pole. The standard pairings are:
- 8 ft staff: 3x5 ft flag
- 9 ft staff: 4x6 ft flag
Indoor flags aren’t made for weather. If you’re not sure which you need, see Indoor vs. Outdoor Flags.
Flag proportions
The proportions for flags made for the federal government are set by Executive Order 10834 (1959). The flag’s length is 1.9 times its height, and the blue field covers the top seven stripes. Flags sold for homes and businesses use simpler sizes like 3x5 and 4x6 ft. They’re a little shorter in length for their height, and they’re what you’ll see on almost every porch and pole in the country.
Common questions
What size flag goes on a 20 ft pole?
A 3x5 or 4x6 ft flag. Go 4x6 ft if the spot is open and you want it seen from farther away.
What size flag goes on a 25 ft pole?
A 4x6 ft or 5x8 ft flag. 5x8 ft is the usual choice from 25 to 30 ft.
What size flag goes on a 30 ft pole?
A 6x10 ft flag, which also fits a 35 ft pole. A 5x8 ft also works on a 30 ft pole.
What size flag for a house bracket?
A 2x3, 2.5x4 or 3x5 ft flag, depending on how much room you have. 3x5 ft is the most popular house flag.
What size flag for a boat or car?
12x18 inches.
Every size on the chart, made in the USA
We stock every size from 12x18 inch boat flags to 8x12 ft flags for 50 ft poles, and our grommet flags are FMAA-certified. Larger sizes, up to 30x50 ft, are available upon request: contact us.
Keep reading
- Indoor vs. Outdoor FlagsHow indoor and outdoor flags are built differently.
- Flag Buying GuidanceWhat to look for in stitching, headers, grommets and fabric.
- Best Flag MaterialNylon, polyester and cotton compared outdoors.
Sources: Executive Order 10834 (1959), Flag of the United States of America.