It’s one of the first questions every graduate asks: which side does the tassel go on? Before you walk across that stage, you’ll want your tassel hanging from the right side of your cap. Once your degree is officially conferred, you'll join your classmates in moving it to the left side.
This simple switch is a huge moment, marking your official transition from a candidate to a full-fledged graduate.
The Definitive Guide to Tassel Placement
Graduation day is steeped in tradition, and the tassel flip is one of the most visible and symbolic ones. It’s not just a random detail; it's a piece of academic theater that visually separates the candidates from those who have officially earned their diplomas. For most graduates, the ceremony begins with the tassel on the right.
This practice is a uniquely American custom that adds a powerful, shared experience to commencement. Think of it as the final, ceremonial step in your academic journey—a physical action that represents all your hard work. The collective moment when an entire graduating class moves their tassels together is always a memorable highlight.
A Tradition of Transition
Here in the United States, an overwhelming majority of schools—about 85% of U.S. high schools and universities—follow this custom. Students wear their tassels on the right before their names are called and then ceremonially move them to the left after all degrees have been awarded. It’s a simple gesture symbolizing the completion of their academic program. You can learn more about the history behind this widespread graduation tradition.
But this rule doesn't apply to everyone.
For graduates earning advanced degrees, like a master's or a doctorate, the tassel starts and stays on the left side for the entire ceremony. This placement signifies that they have already earned a previous degree and are being honored for a higher academic achievement.
Graduation Tassel Placement At A Glance
To make sure there's zero confusion on the big day, here's a quick reference for tassel placement rules based on your academic degree level. Getting this small detail right helps you feel confident and ready.
| Degree Level | Tassel Side Before Diplomas | Tassel Side After Diplomas |
|---|---|---|
| High School Diploma | Right | Left |
| Associate's Degree | Right | Left |
| Bachelor's Degree | Right | Left |
| Master's Degree | Left | Left |
| Doctoral Degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., etc.) | Left | Left |
Ultimately, whether you're earning your high school diploma or your Ph.D., understanding this small but significant tradition makes the experience even more meaningful.
Why We Turn the Tassel
Ever wondered why that one simple gesture—moving a piece of string from one side of a cap to the other—is such a big deal at graduation? It’s more than just a bit of ceremony; it’s a tradition steeped in history.
The whole cap and gown look dates back centuries to medieval European universities. Back then, it wasn't just for graduation; it was the daily uniform for scholars. The tassel started as a simple decoration but eventually became a powerful symbol of academic achievement.
The actual act of moving the tassel, however, is a much more modern, American custom. Think of it as physically turning the page from one chapter of your life to the next. You're closing the book on being a student and starting a new story as a graduate. It’s a simple motion that connects you to a long line of scholars who came before you.
A Symbol of Progress
While academic dress has medieval roots, the tassel-turning ceremony is a more recent tradition that beautifully symbolizes the transition you’re making. It's like walking through a symbolic doorway. This idea perfectly captures the Latin root of "graduation," which is gradus, meaning ‘step.’ You can dive deeper into the history of the graduation tassel to see how its meaning has evolved.
When everyone in the graduating class moves their tassel in unison, it creates a powerful, shared moment. It’s a collective nod to all the years of hard work, the late-night study sessions, and the sheer determination it took to get to this point.
The tassel turn is more than just a tradition; it's a rite of passage. It visually confirms your new status and celebrates the successful completion of your academic journey in front of friends, family, and faculty.
So, when you finally get to move your tassel, remember you’re not just following a rule. You're taking part in a meaningful ceremony that honors your dedication and officially welcomes you into the community of graduates. It's a small action with a profound meaning, marking the end of one era and the exciting beginning of another.
Tassel Rules for Every Degree Level
While the tassel tradition feels universal, the actual rules change depending on which degree you're about to receive. Knowing the specific etiquette for your level helps you feel confident and look the part on the big day.
The most common practice involves a symbolic switch, but that's not the case for everyone. Think of the tassel's position as telling the story of your academic journey. For most, that story starts on the right and ends on the left.
High School and Bachelor's Degrees
If you're graduating from high school or earning a bachelor's degree, the tradition is pretty straightforward. You'll start the ceremony with your tassel on the right side of your cap. This placement signifies you're a candidate for graduation, about to cross the finish line.
Then comes the magic moment. After all the degrees have been officially conferred, a university official will instruct the entire class to move their tassels from the right to the left side in unison. This is the iconic "turning of the tassel"—a powerful, collective gesture that marks your official transition from student to graduate.
This infographic gives a great breakdown of how this modern tradition grew from its historical roots.
As you can see, while academic regalia has been around since medieval times, the tassel-turning ceremony is a more recent addition that packs a lot of symbolic punch.
Master's and Doctoral Degrees
For those earning advanced degrees, the rules are different. Since master's and doctoral candidates have already earned an undergraduate degree, their academic status is distinct from the start.
Graduates earning a master's or doctoral degree begin the ceremony with their tassel on the left side of their cap. It stays on the left for the entire event.
This placement shows they have already achieved a prior degree and are now being honored for a higher level of academic work. There's no "turning of the tassel" for these graduates because they aren't transitioning into graduate status—they're already there.
This simple distinction honors their advanced scholarship. You can dive deeper into the specific rudiments of academic regalia for master's graduation in our detailed guide.
The Meaning of Tassel Colors and Honor Cords
While figuring out which side the tassel goes on is a key part of the ceremony, the color of your tassel tells its own story. This isn't just a random style choice—it's a long-standing tradition that signifies your specific field of study, adding a beautiful layer of visual symbolism to the day.
At a large commencement, this color code is what helps you spot the engineering grads from the nursing students at a glance. It turns the graduating class into a vibrant sea of colors, with each hue representing a unique area of knowledge.
Decoding the Colors of Academia
This system of academic colors is largely guided by the American Council on Education, which standardizes which colors represent different disciplines. For example, you’ll typically see graduates in Agriculture wearing maize, Medicine in green, and Law in purple. An elegant, deep gold is almost always reserved for doctoral graduates, symbolizing the pinnacle of academic achievement.
While around 75% of American colleges stick closely to these guidelines, many others put their own spin on it, often incorporating school colors to build a stronger sense of community pride. This tradition creates a rich visual tapestry on graduation day, celebrating the diverse fields of study that make up a university.
Think of the tassel color as the final, specialized detail on your academic uniform. It’s a quiet announcement of your expertise—whether in nursing, engineering, or the fine arts—connecting you to a long lineage of scholars in your field.
The American Council on Education provides a standard guide, but schools sometimes have their own interpretations. Here are some of the most common tassel colors and what they traditionally represent.
| Tassel Color | Field of Study |
|---|---|
| White | Arts, Letters, Humanities |
| Drab (Light Brown) | Commerce, Accountancy, Business |
| Light Blue | Education |
| Brown | Fine Arts, Architecture |
| Purple | Law |
| Lemon Yellow | Library Science |
| Green | Medicine |
| Pink | Music |
| Apricot | Nursing |
| Silver Gray | Oratory (Speech) |
| Olive Green | Pharmacy |
| Dark Blue | Philosophy (Ph.D.) |
| Peacock Blue | Public Administration |
| Salmon Pink | Public Health |
| Golden Yellow | Science |
| Citron | Social Work |
| Scarlet | Theology |
| Orange | Engineering |
Seeing these colors across the graduating class is a powerful reminder of the breadth of knowledge being celebrated.
Recognizing Achievement with Stoles and Cords
Beyond the tassel, you’ll also notice graduates wearing other colorful regalia like stoles and honor cords. These pieces aren't about your major; instead, they recognize special achievements, affiliations, and honors earned during your academic journey.
These additional adornments are what truly personalize the graduation gown, highlighting a student's unique accomplishments.
-
Honor Cords: These are the braided ropes you see, often with intertwined colors. They most commonly signify academic honors like graduating cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude. They can also represent membership in specific honor societies like Phi Beta Kappa.
-
Stoles: These decorative sashes are worn around the neck and can denote a huge range of accomplishments. A stole might show leadership in a student organization, participation in a study abroad program, or membership in a fraternity or sorority.
Each cord and stole adds a personal chapter to a graduate’s story. To dive deeper into what each color might mean, you can explore our detailed guide on getting to know stole and cord colors. Together, these elements paint a complete picture of a graduate's hard work and unique contributions to their academic community.
Practical Tips for Your Graduation Day
Knowing the tassel rules is one thing, but making sure your graduation day goes off without a hitch is another. A little bit of prep work can make all the difference, so you can focus on savoring the moment instead of fussing with your regalia.
Let's be honest, graduation caps (or mortarboards) are not known for their stability. To avoid having it slip off at the worst possible time, use a few bobby pins to lock it into place. Tuck them in along the sides and back, and your cap will stay put from the moment you walk in to the final photo op.
That swinging tassel can also be a real nuisance, especially if it’s a windy day. There’s nothing worse than having it constantly smack you in the face. A simple trick is to use another bobby pin to gently secure the tassel's cord before the ceremony begins, keeping it out of your eyes for that perfect picture.
Performing the Tassel Turn with Confidence
When it's finally time for the big moment—the turning of the tassel—you want it to feel graceful and celebratory, not clumsy. Don't jump the gun. The officiant will give a very clear signal for everyone to move their tassels at the same time.
Here's how to nail it:
- Listen for the cue from the dean or commencement speaker. It’s a shared moment, so wait for their direction.
- Use your right hand to take hold of the tassel, usually by the charm or the knot at the top.
- Lift it cleanly up and over the button in the middle of your cap.
- Drape it smoothly onto the left side and let it fall into place.
This simple gesture is the grand finale, a physical representation of your transition from student to graduate. Moving it from right to left signifies you've officially joined the ranks of alumni.
Looking for more ways to get ready? Our complete graduation day checklist has you covered, making sure you don't forget a single thing.
Common Questions About Graduation Tassels
As your graduation day approaches, the little details start to feel like big deals. Knowing the answers to common questions beforehand means less stress and more time to soak in the moment. You've earned this, and the last thing you want is to be worrying about tassel protocol during the ceremony.
Let’s clear up some of the most frequent questions graduates have, so you can walk across that stage with total confidence.
Graduating With Multiple Degrees
So, what’s the protocol if you’re pulling off the impressive feat of earning more than one degree at once? If you’re getting two bachelor's degrees, for example, the standard rule is to wear just one tassel. This tassel typically represents your primary field of study or the specific college you're graduating from, like the College of Science or the School of Business.
You'll still move your tassel from right to left with everyone else. That said, some universities have their own way of recognizing dual-degree students, so a quick check of your school's official commencement guide is always a smart move.
Tassel Rules for International Schools
The big tassel-turning moment is a classic part of graduation, but it's largely an American tradition. While academic regalia has deep roots in European history, the collective flip of the tassel from one side to the other isn't a global standard.
Universities across Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world often have completely different customs. Their ceremonies might focus more on the academic hood, the specific style of the gown, or other unique symbolic acts. If you’re studying abroad or attending a graduation outside the U.S., make sure to ask about local traditions so you know exactly what to expect.
Your tassel is more than just a piece of your cap; it’s a keepsake from your entire academic journey. Think of it as a tangible reminder of all the hard work, late nights, and big wins that got you here.
Can I Decorate My Graduation Cap?
Decorating your graduation cap is a fantastic way to show off your personality, give a shout-out to your family, or celebrate what’s next. But whether you can break out the glue gun and glitter depends entirely on your school.
Many high schools and universities love seeing the creativity and fully embrace this tradition. Others prefer to keep the look uniform and formal. To avoid any day-of surprises, always check your school’s official graduation guidelines before you start decorating.
What to Do with Your Tassel After Graduation
Once the ceremony is over and the confetti has settled, what do you do with this little memento? Many graduates find creative ways to display it. Some popular ideas include:
- Hanging it from the rearview mirror in your car.
- Placing it in a shadow box with your diploma and a great photo.
- Adding it to a scrapbook or memory book.
- Draping it over the corner of a framed picture on your desk.
Your tassel is a symbol of a massive accomplishment. Give it a place of honor!
Ready to find the perfect regalia for your big day? Gradshop has everything you need with a complete selection of high-quality graduation caps, gowns, and tassels to make sure you look and feel your best.