Every part of a flag has a name. There are 25 in all: 15 on the flag, 3 ways the stars are made, and 7 on the pole. This page defines all 25 parts of a flag and its pole, with a labeled illustration for each one.

On this page
  1. The flag itself: 15 parts
  2. Star construction: 3 methods
  3. The flagpole: 7 parts
  4. All 25 parts of a flag at a glance
  5. Common questions about the parts of a flag
  6. Related reading

The parts of a flag are grouped below by where they sit: the flag itself, then the stars, then the pole. Definitions only.

The flag itself: 15 parts

These 15 parts of a flag cover its dimensions, its face, the hoist edge that attaches to the pole, and the stitching that keeps it from shredding in wind.

Dimensions and edges

Parts of a flag diagram showing the hoist, the edge nearest the pole and the flag's vertical dimension

Hoist

The edge nearest the pole. Also the name for the flag’s vertical dimension, and the verb for raising it. In a size such as 3′ x 5′, the hoist is the first number.

Illustration of a flag with the horizontal fly dimension highlighted along the top edge

Fly

The edge farthest from the pole. Also the horizontal dimension. In 3′ x 5′, the fly is the second number.

Illustration of a flag with the outer fly end edge highlighted and lightly frayed

Fly end

The outer edge opposite the hoist. Wear begins here and moves inward.

The face of the flag

Illustration of a US flag with the striped field highlighted and the union dimmed

Field

The background area behind any device. On the US flag, the thirteen red and white stripes.

Illustration of a plain flag with the upper hoist corner canton highlighted

Canton

A rectangular section occupying a corner of a flag, almost always the upper corner nearest the hoist. A generic term; any flag can have one.

Illustration of a US flag with the blue star field union highlighted

Union

The canton when it carries the emblem of a nation or state. On the US flag, the blue star field. This is the term used in 4 U.S.C. Chapter 1.

The hoist edge

Illustration of a flag with the canvas header strip along the hoist edge highlighted

Header

The reinforced strip sewn along the hoist edge, in canvas or poly-cotton. It carries the load. Header width scales with flag size: typically 1-1/2″ up to 5′ x 9-1/2′, 2″ from 6′ x 10′ up, and doubled 3″ on the largest sizes.

Close-up illustration of two brass grommets set into a flag header

Grommets

Metal rings, usually brass, set into the header. Two on flags up to 6′ x 10′. Larger flags carry more, or switch to a roped heading.

Close-up illustration of a rope sewn into a flag header in place of grommets

Roped heading

A rope sewn into the header in place of grommets. Standard above roughly 8′ x 12′. It distributes load along the full hoist edge rather than concentrating it at two rings.

Illustration of a rope loop with a metal thimble liner highlighted

Thimble

A metal loop spliced into the top and bottom of a roped heading. Two per flag.

Illustration of a flag with a pole hem sleeve wrapped around a pole

Pole hem

A fabric sleeve sewn along the hoist edge that slides onto a pole. The indoor, parade, and color guard attachment. Not interchangeable with header and grommets.

Reinforcement and trim

Close-up illustration of four rows of lock stitching at the fly end of a flag

Lock stitching

Rows of tight stitching finishing the fly end. Row count scales with size: typically 4 rows up to 5′ x 9-1/2′, 6 rows from 6′ x 10′, and 8 rows on the largest flags.

Close-up illustration of a triangular corner patch at the fly end corner of a flag

Corner patches

Additional fabric applied at the fly end corners. Standard from roughly 10′ x 15′ up.

Close-up illustration of zigzag stitching at the fly end corner of a flag

Zigzag reinforcement

Zigzag stitching applied at each fly end corner. Standard from roughly 8′ x 12′ up.

Illustration of an indoor flag with gold fringe on three edges highlighted

Fringe

Trim, usually gold or yellow rayon, applied to three edges of an indoor or ceremonial flag. It carries no legal or rank meaning and is not used outdoors.

Star construction: 3 methods

Stars are made three ways. The method sets the cost and how sharp the stars look at a distance.

Illustration of a printed star on a blue field with a flat dye finish

Printed

The design is applied to the fabric with dye. Used on smaller flags, specialty flags, and custom printed work.

Illustration of an embroidered star on a blue field showing thread texture

Embroidered

Stars are stitched in thread. Standard on sewn outdoor US flags from 3′ x 5′ through roughly 12′ x 18′.

Illustration of an appliqued star on a blue field with a visible edge seam

Appliquéd

Star-shaped fabric is cut and sewn onto the union. Standard from roughly 15′ x 25′ up, and used on most custom sewn flags.

The flagpole: 7 parts

The pole has its own vocabulary. These seven names come up on almost every hardware order.

Parts of a flag pole labeled: finial, truck, halyard, snap hooks, non-tangle rod, ferrule and cleat
The 7 named parts of the pole.

At the top

Illustration of a flagpole top with the gold ball finial highlighted

Finial

The ornament capping the pole. A gold ball outdoors. A spear or eagle on indoor and ceremonial poles.

Illustration of a flagpole top with the truck pulley assembly highlighted

Truck

The assembly at the very top of the pole housing the pulley the halyard runs over.

Along the pole

Illustration of a flagpole with the halyard rope highlighted

Halyard

The rope that raises and lowers the flag.

Illustration of a flagpole with the halyard cleat highlighted

Cleat

The fitting on the pole where the halyard ties off.

Illustration of a two-section indoor pole with the metal ferrule joint highlighted

Ferrule

The sleeve joining two sections of an indoor or parade pole.

Where the flag attaches

Close-up illustration of a snap hook clipped through a flag grommet

Snap hooks

Clips joining the halyard to the grommets. Vinyl-coated or covered hooks reduce wear on the header.

Illustration of a flag on a pole with the non-tangle rod arm highlighted

Non-tangle rod

An arm holding the flag out from the pole so it cannot wrap around itself.

All 25 parts of a flag at a glance

Every term on this page in one table, with the group it belongs to and a one-line definition.

Term Group Definition
Hoistflag part hoist Flag The edge nearest the pole. Also the vertical dimension.
Flyflag part fly Flag The edge farthest from the pole. Also the horizontal dimension.
Fly endflag part fly end Flag The outer edge opposite the hoist. Where wear begins.
Fieldflag part field Flag The background. On the US flag, the thirteen stripes.
Cantonflag part canton Flag A rectangular section in a corner, usually upper hoist.
Unionflag part union Flag The canton when it carries the national or state emblem.
Headerflag part header Flag Reinforced canvas or poly-cotton strip along the hoist edge.
Grommetsflag part grommets Flag Metal rings, usually brass, set into the header.
Roped headingflag part roped heading Flag Rope sewn into the header in place of grommets.
Thimbleflag part thimble Flag Metal loop spliced into each end of a roped heading.
Pole hemflag part pole hem Flag Fabric sleeve along the hoist edge that slides onto a pole.
Lock stitchingflag part lock stitching Flag Rows of tight stitching finishing the fly end.
Corner patchesflag part corner patches Flag Added fabric at the fly end corners.
Zigzag reinforcementflag part zigzag reinforcement Flag Zigzag stitching at the fly end corners.
Fringeflag part fringe Flag Trim, usually gold rayon, on three edges of an indoor flag.
Printedflag part printed Stars Design applied to the fabric with dye.
Embroideredflag part embroidered Stars Stars stitched in thread.
Appliquédflag part appliqued Stars Star-shaped fabric cut and sewn onto the union.
Finialflag part finial Pole The ornament capping the pole. Usually a ball.
Truckflag part truck Pole The assembly at the pole top housing the pulley.
Halyardflag part halyard Pole The rope that raises and lowers the flag.
Cleatflag part cleat Pole The fitting where the halyard ties off.
Ferruleflag part ferrule Pole Sleeve joining two sections of an indoor or parade pole.
Snap hooksflag part snap hooks Pole Clips joining the halyard to the grommets.
Non-tangle rodflag part non tangle rod Pole Arm holding the flag out so it cannot wrap the pole.

Common questions about the parts of a flag

Four questions we get asked most often about the parts of a flag.

What is the difference between the canton and the union?

The canton is the rectangular section in a corner of any flag, almost always the upper corner nearest the hoist. The union is that canton when it carries the emblem of a nation or state. On the US flag they are the same rectangle, and the Flag Code calls it the union.

Which parts of a flag wear out first?

The fly end. Wind works the outer edge hardest and the damage moves inward from there. Lock stitching, corner patches, and zigzag reinforcement all exist to slow that down.

What holds a flag to the pole?

Outdoors, a reinforced header with grommets, or a roped heading with thimbles on larger flags. Snap hooks join the grommets to the halyard. Indoors and on parade, a pole hem sleeve slides straight onto the pole. Headers and pole hems are not interchangeable.

Do all flags have the same parts?

No. Fringe, pole hems, and ferrules belong to indoor and ceremonial flags. Roped headings, corner patches, and non-tangle rods belong to outdoor flags on a pole. The parts of a flag depend on where it flies.

Once you know the parts of a flag by name, these cover what to buy and how to keep it flying:

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