Common answers for people checking why the flag is at half-staff and whether they should lower or raise their flag today.
Flags are usually flown at half-staff because a federal, state, or local authority has issued an order of remembrance, mourning, or honor. Mast tracks official sources and shows the current reason, start time, end time, and source link when available.
If there is an active federal order, it generally applies across the United States. If there is a state order, it usually applies in that state. Mast is informational, so verify with official federal, state, or local sources when a formal decision matters.
Raise the flag back to full-staff when the order ends. Some orders end at noon, some at sunset, and some specify an exact date or time. Mast lists the start and end information it detects from official sources.
Mast gives federal orders priority in the current status because federal orders apply broadly. State orders may still add local context or separate remembrance details.
Half-staff is commonly used for flags on land, while half-mast is traditionally used for flags on ships. Many people use the terms interchangeably. Mast uses both terms so people can find the information they need.
Mast checks official federal and state sources whenever possible, including governor offices, state flag-status pages, press releases, executive orders, and federal observances.
How Mast verifies official sources Browse the state source directory
Use the current status for what applies now, the calendar for upcoming and recent orders, and the timeline for the complete duration and details of an order. Read dates and times in the location shown by Mast.
Mast supports browser, email, and text alert preferences where those delivery channels are available. Alerts are informational; check the linked official source when a formal decision matters.
Federal law and official proclamations establish different mourning periods depending on the office held and the location of the flag. A later proclamation or state notice can add broader or more specific direction.