Half-mast, or half-staff, describes the act of flying a flag approximately halfway up a flagpole (though anywhere from one-third to two-thirds of the way up the flagpole is acceptable). This is done in many countries as a symbol of respect, mourning, or distress.

When hoisting a flag that is to be displayed at half-staff, it should be hoisted to full staff for an instant, then lowered to half-staff. Likewise when it is lowered at the end of the day, it is to be hoisted to full staff for an instant, and then lowered.

In the United States, the President can issue an Executive Order for flags to be flown at half-staff. When such an order is issued, government buildings, offices, and military bases are to fly their flags at half-staff. Private organizations and individuals usually also fly their flags at half-staff at these times, but are not required by law to do so.

Some examples of when flags are to be flown at half staff:

• In the United States:
  • For thirty days after the death of a current or former President.
  • For ten days after the death of a current or former Vice-President, Chief Justice, or Speaker of the House of Representatives.
  • From the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession
  • On the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress
  • Until 12:00pm on Memorial Day
  • On Executive Order by the President or State Governor (some examples include for remembrence of the 9/11 attacks, the death of Pope John Paul II, and the Indian Ocean tsunami).

• In Israel
  • On Yom HaShoah, or the Holocaust Remembrence Day.

See Also

US Flag Code Concerning Flag Display