what side should the tassel be on before graduation

Before a graduation ceremony, the tassel usually goes on the right side of your cap if you are a high school or bachelor’s degree candidate, and on the left side if you are a master’s or doctoral graduate.

Basic tassel rule

• High school and most college undergrad students start with the tassel on the right, then move it to the left when the degree is officially conferred.

• Graduate students (master’s, doctorate) typically wear the tassel on the left for the entire ceremony and do not move it.

Why the side matters

• The right side before graduation symbolizes that you are still a candidate and have not yet officially received the degree.

• Moving it to the left marks the moment you become a graduate and represents crossing into the next stage of your academic or professional life.

Quick answers by level

• High school: tassel on the right before; move to left when told.

• Associate/bachelor’s: tassel on the right before; move to left when told.

• Master’s/doctorate: tassel on the left the whole time; no flip.

Small variations to check

• Some schools have their own specific traditions or instructions announced right before the tassel move moment.

• If your program, email, or admin says something different, follow your school’s guidance over the general rule.

One-line TL;DR

Before graduation, put your tassel on the right—unless you are a graduate- level student, in which case it belongs on the left.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.