Wondering how to wear a graduation cap and tassel correctly? Whether you are preparing for high school graduation, college commencement, or another academic ceremony, the way you wear your cap matters. Your mortarboard, tassel, gown, and accessories are all part of a long-standing graduation tradition, and wearing them properly helps you look polished, confident, and ceremony-ready.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to put on your graduation cap, where the tassel should go, when to move the tassel, how your cap should fit, and what to avoid before walking across the stage. If you still need your regalia, you can shop complete graduation caps and gowns, graduation tassels and charms, or high school graduation caps and gowns from GraduationSource.
Quick Answer: How Should You Wear a Graduation Cap?
Your graduation cap should sit flat on top of your head, not tilted backward. The front point of the mortarboard should be centered on your forehead, usually between your eyebrows. The elastic band or tag should sit at the back of your head. For most high school, associate, and bachelor’s degree ceremonies, the tassel starts on the right side and is moved to the left after graduates are officially recognized.
Before You Start: Check Your Cap, Gown, and Tassel
Before graduation day, take a few minutes to inspect your full graduation outfit. Make sure you have your cap, gown, tassel, any honor cords, stoles, medals, or other graduation accessories required by your school. It is much easier to fix sizing or missing items a few days before the ceremony than it is while standing in line with your graduating class.
If your school provided specific instructions, always follow those first. Some schools have unique rules for tassel placement, decorated caps, honor cords, or graduation accessories. However, the steps below reflect the traditional way most graduates wear their cap and tassel.
Step 1: Remove the Cap from Packaging
Start by removing your graduation cap from its packaging. Graduation caps are often shipped or stored flat, so the fabric may need a moment to settle into shape. Unwrap the mortarboard carefully and remove any tissue paper, plastic, cardboard inserts, tags, or protective packaging.
Place the cap on a clean, flat surface and check that the square top is not bent or creased. If the cap has been packed tightly, give it time to relax before graduation day. Avoid folding or forcing the mortarboard into shape, since the flat top should stay crisp and level when worn.
Step 2: Adjust Your Hair and Stretch the Cap Open
Try on your graduation cap before the ceremony so you know exactly how it fits. This is especially important if you plan to wear your hair styled, curled, braided, pinned, or tucked under the cap. Graduation day can feel rushed, so practicing ahead of time helps you avoid last-minute stress.
Before putting the cap on, adjust your hair so the cap can sit flat. Long hair can be parted to one side, worn down, or pinned in a way that does not create too much height at the crown of your head. If you have short hair, tuck it behind your ears or use light styling product to keep it in place.
Gently open the cap and stretch it just enough to fit comfortably. The cap should feel secure without being painfully tight. If it feels loose, you may need bobby pins, hair clips, or a different size if your school offers one.
Step 3: Make Sure the Graduation Cap Is Placed Correctly
The most important part of wearing a graduation cap correctly is placement. The cap should sit flat and level on your head. The square mortarboard should not be angled too far back, pushed too far forward, or tilted to one side.
The front point of the cap should be centered on your forehead, usually between your eyes. This creates the classic graduation cap look and helps the cap photograph well from the front. If the point is off-center, the entire cap may look crooked in ceremony photos.
The elastic band and tag should be centered at the back of your head. This is one of the easiest ways to tell whether your cap is facing the correct direction. If the elastic or tag is in the front, the cap is backwards.
Do not tilt the cap backward like a casual hat. A graduation cap is designed to sit flat on top of the head. Keeping it level gives you a cleaner look and helps keep the tassel in the correct position.
Step 4: Secure the Cap and Make Final Hair Adjustments
Once the cap is in place, make final adjustments to your hair. Check the front, sides, and back in a mirror. The goal is for the cap to feel secure enough to stay in place while you walk, sit, stand, turn, and cross the stage.
If your cap feels loose, use bobby pins or small clips that match your hair color. Pin through the cap’s inner band and into your hair where possible. For extra hold, some graduates use a small amount of hairspray, especially on windy graduation days or outdoor ceremonies.
Avoid adding too much height underneath the cap. High buns, large clips, or bulky hairstyles can make the mortarboard sit unevenly. If your school allows decorated caps, make sure the decoration is not so heavy that it pulls the cap backward.
Step 5: Smooth the Graduation Tassel Strands
Next, remove your graduation tassel from its sleeve or packaging. Tassels can sometimes arrive twisted or slightly tangled, so gently separate and smooth the strands before attaching it to the cap.
Hold the tassel by the loop and let the strands hang naturally. Run your fingers through the strands lightly to straighten them. If your tassel includes a year charm, make sure the charm is facing outward and hanging neatly.
Step 6: Hook the Tassel onto the Button
Attach the tassel by placing the loop around the button at the center top of the mortarboard. The loop should sit securely under the button so the tassel does not fall off during the ceremony.
After attaching it, give the tassel a gentle pull to make sure it is secure. Do not yank it or twist it too tightly. The tassel should move easily from one side of the cap to the other when it is time for the traditional tassel turn.
Step 7: Position the Tassel on the Correct Side
One of the most common graduation questions is: which side does the tassel go on? For most high school, associate degree, and bachelor’s degree ceremonies, the tassel starts on the right side of the cap before graduation.
After the graduating class is officially recognized, students are usually instructed to move the tassel from the right side to the left side. This symbolic movement represents the transition from candidate to graduate.
For many graduate-level ceremonies, including master’s and doctoral programs, the tassel may already be worn on the left side and remain there throughout the ceremony. However, school traditions can vary, so always follow the instructions provided by your graduation coordinator.
| Graduation Level | Before Ceremony | After Graduation |
|---|---|---|
| High School | Right side | Move to left side |
| Associate Degree | Right side | Move to left side |
| Bachelor’s Degree | Right side | Move to left side |
| Master’s Degree | Often left side | Usually remains left |
| Doctoral Degree | Often left side | Usually remains left |
Recommended Tip: Practice moving the tassel from right to left before the ceremony. This helps you avoid pulling it off the button, tangling it in your hair, or moving it awkwardly during the big moment.
Step 8: Get Ready to Graduate
Once your cap is level, your tassel is attached, and your graduation outfit is complete, you are ready for the ceremony. Take one final look in the mirror before lining up with your class. Make sure your gown is zipped, your tassel is on the correct side, and any cords or stoles are straight.
Graduation is a major milestone, and your cap and gown are part of the celebration. Taking a few extra minutes to wear everything correctly helps you look confident in photos, on stage, and throughout the ceremony.
How Should a Graduation Cap Fit?
A graduation cap should feel snug, but not uncomfortable. It should stay in place when you walk, turn your head, or look down slightly. If the cap slides around easily, it may be too loose. If it leaves a painful mark or feels like it is squeezing your head, it may be too tight.
The best fit is secure, level, and comfortable enough to wear for the full ceremony. Outdoor ceremonies can be windy, so a slightly snug fit is helpful. If your cap is a little loose, bobby pins can make a major difference.
Common Graduation Cap Mistakes to Avoid
- Wearing the cap backwards: The elastic band or tag should be at the back of your head.
- Tilting the cap too far back: The mortarboard should sit flat, not like a baseball cap.
- Forgetting the tassel: Attach your tassel before lining up for the ceremony.
- Starting with the tassel on the wrong side: Most high school and bachelor’s graduates start with the tassel on the right.
- Waiting until graduation day to try it on: Practice ahead of time so you know how it fits.
- Using a bulky hairstyle under the cap: Too much height can make the cap sit crooked.
Can You Decorate Your Graduation Cap?
Many graduates like to decorate their caps with quotes, school colors, rhinestones, flowers, photos, or personal messages. Before decorating your cap, check your school’s graduation rules. Some schools allow decorated caps, while others require a plain mortarboard for the ceremony.
If decorating is allowed, keep the design lightweight and secure. Heavy decorations can pull the cap backward or make it harder to keep level. Avoid anything that blocks the view of graduates sitting behind you.
Graduation Day Cap and Tassel Checklist
- Cap sits flat and level
- Elastic band or tag is in the back
- Front point is centered on your forehead
- Tassel is attached securely to the button
- Tassel starts on the correct side
- Hair is adjusted and cap feels secure
- Gown is zipped and wrinkle-free
- Honor cords, stoles, or medals are straight
- You know when to move your tassel
Where Do I Order My Graduation Cap?
If you are preparing for graduation and still need your cap and gown, GraduationSource offers a wide selection of academic regalia for schools, students, and organizations. You can browse graduation caps and gowns in a variety of colors and styles to match your school’s ceremony requirements.
For high school ceremonies, explore our high school graduation caps and gowns. These are designed for commencement ceremonies, senior celebrations, school events, and graduation photos.
You can also complete your graduation look with graduation tassels, year charms, and signets. Tassels are one of the most recognizable parts of graduation attire and are often kept as souvenirs long after the ceremony is over.
What Do I Do with My Cap After Graduation?
After the ceremony, your graduation cap can become a meaningful keepsake. Many graduates save their cap as a reminder of their academic journey, while others display it with their diploma, tassel, stole, or graduation photos.
- Keep it as a souvenir: Save your cap as a reminder of your achievement.
- Create a shadow box: Display your cap with your tassel, diploma, cords, or photos.
- Decorate and display it: A personalized cap can become wall art or a memory piece.
- Gift it to someone special: Some graduates give their cap to a parent, mentor, teacher, or friend.
- Save it for photos: Graduation caps are great for senior portraits and family pictures.
- Recycle or donate it: If you do not plan to keep it, consider giving it to a future graduate.
Whatever you choose, your graduation cap represents hard work, achievement, and the close of an important chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wearing a Graduation Cap
Which way does a graduation cap go?
The front point of the mortarboard should face forward and sit centered on your forehead. The elastic band or tag should be at the back of your head.
Which side does the graduation tassel start on?
For most high school, associate, and bachelor’s degree ceremonies, the tassel starts on the right side before graduation and moves to the left after graduates are recognized.
Do master’s graduates move their tassel?
Many master’s graduates wear the tassel on the left side for the entire ceremony, but traditions vary by school. Always follow your school’s commencement instructions.
How do I keep my graduation cap from falling off?
Make sure the cap fits snugly and sits flat on your head. Use bobby pins or small clips to secure the cap to your hair, especially for outdoor ceremonies.
Can I wear my hair up with a graduation cap?
Yes, but avoid high buns or bulky styles directly under the cap. Lower hairstyles usually work better because they allow the mortarboard to sit flat.
Can I order a cap, gown, and tassel together?
Yes. GraduationSource offers complete graduation cap and gown options, along with graduation tassels and charms to complete your ceremony look.
