Flagpole Lighting Etiquette: How to Correctly Display a Flag at Night

Our Favorite Lighting Options

Top-Mounted Solar Flagpole Lights

Our top-mounted "UFO" solar flagpole lights are an energy-efficient, low-maintenance option that automatically turn on when it gets dark.

• Benefits: Easy DIY installation, no wiring required, self-charging solar batteries, and low upkeep.
• Ideal for: Residential installations and smaller flagpoles.

Ground-Based Lighting Solutions

Alternatively, ground-based solutions such as spotlights or floodlights offer high brightness and adjustable positioning. However, these systems often require professional installation and may involve higher energy consumption.

• Benefits: High lumen output and precise control over lighting direction.
• Considerations: Increased installation complexity and wiring challenges.

Flag Lighting FAQs

There's more to lighting a flag properly than you might think. Here at Gettysburg Flag Works, we are passionate about flag etiquette. From half staff rules to proper flag retirement, we care about helping flag owners fly flags they're proud of — and fly them correctly.

Does a Flagpole Have to Have a Light?

No. A flagpole light is not required. However, if you plan to fly an American flag at night, proper flag etiquette dictates that you should illuminate it.

If you fly your flag from dawn to dusk and take it down before nightfall, you do not need a lighted flagpole.

What Is the Best Flagpole Light?

The best flagpole light is likely the one that works best with your flagpole configuration.

Solar flagpole lights are a terrific option for outdoor in-ground flagpoles. Our top-mounted solar flagpole light is one of the best on the market — an environmentally friendly solution suitable for outdoor flagpoles up to 25 feet tall.

Key features of our solar flagpole light:

• Easy DIY installation — no special tools, wiring, or electrical work required
• Operates with self-charging solar batteries (included)
• Solar panels collect sunlight throughout the day
• 800 lumens of brightness
• Turns on automatically at dusk
• Low maintenance
• Affordably priced

Learn more about our solar flagpole light here ›

How Do I Light a Flagpole?

There are two main approaches: light the flagpole from the ground with spotlights or flood lights, or light it from above with a top-mounted flagpole light. You can either have lights shining upward at the flag from below, or a light shining down on the flag from above.

Your flag display and flagpole configuration will likely dictate which option is most appropriate.

We highly recommend top-mounted solar flagpole lights as they are safe, energy-efficient, low-maintenance, and very effective at keeping flags illuminated at night. Check out our top-rated solar flagpole light here ›

How Many Lumens Are Needed to Light a Flagpole?

The number of lumens necessary depends on three main factors: how your flag is being displayed, how you are lighting it, and how tall your flagpole is.

If you choose to light your flagpole from the ground, you'll need anywhere from 1,600 to 25,000 lumens. Shorter flagpoles require fewer lumens — a 15-foot pole may be sufficiently lit with 1,600 lumens, while a 25-foot pole will need closer to 25,000 lumens.

With a top-mounted solar flagpole light, you'll need significantly fewer lumens. These lights range from as low as 50 to as high as 1,000 lumens. For a standard outdoor flagpole, around 200 lumens should get the job done. Our top-mounted solar flagpole light provides 800 lumens, ensuring your flag will be well lit on even the darkest nights.

Should I Be Lighting the American Flag at Night?

If you are displaying the American flag at night, flag etiquette dictates that you should illuminate it.

The American flag should always be displayed in light. You should be able to see it clearly whenever it is displayed, day or night. If street lights, house lights, or a dedicated flagpole light make the flag clearly visible, you may display it at night. Otherwise, you should bring the flag in at dusk and put it out again in daylight.

Learn more about properly displaying the American flag outdoors ›