How to Wear a Graduation Cap (Mortarboard) 🎓

Quick Scoop

Wearing your graduation cap the right way is simple once you know a few key rules: point to the front, flat on your head, tassel on the correct side, and no extreme tilts.[1][3][5][7][9]

Step‑by‑Step: How to Wear a Graduation Cap

1\. Find the front and back

\- The pointed tip of the square board should face the front, centered over your forehead.[3][5][7][9][1] \- The elastic band, size tag, or seam usually marks the back of the cap and sits at the back of your head.[5][9][3]

2\. Position it correctly on your head

\- Place the cap so it sits flat and level, parallel to the ground, not tilted back like a baseball cap.[7][9][10][5] \- The front edge should rest about one inch above your eyebrows, with the front tip centered between your eyes.[9][5][7] \- The square should look like a diamond from the front, with points over your forehead, each ear, and the back of your head.[1][3][7][9]

3\. Make it stay put

\- If the cap feels loose, use bobby pins through the inner band into your hair to secure it, especially with fine or straight hair.[10][3][9] \- Some caps have Velcro or elastic adjusters—tighten until snug but comfortable so it won’t fly off when you cheer.[3][9][10] \- Try it on a few days before the ceremony so you can practice putting it on without a mirror.[9]

4\. Tassel etiquette (which side?)

\- Before the ceremony, the tassel usually starts on the right side of your cap for high school and bachelor’s degrees.[5][3][9] \- After you officially “graduate” during the ceremony, you are told to move the tassel from right to left.[10][3][9] \- For many master’s and doctoral graduations, the tassel stays on the left the whole time.[9]

Mini Style Guide: Looking Good in Your Grad Cap

Hair tips under the cap

\- Long hair: part it to one side and keep the top relatively flat, saving volume for below the cap line.[10][9] \- Short hair: tuck hair behind your ears to help the cap sit flatter and more securely.[9][10] \- Curly or textured hair: consider low styles (low puff, low bun, or twists) so the cap can sit level.[10]

Common mistakes to avoid

\- Tilting the cap too far back so it looks informal and can slip off easily.[7][9] \- Wearing it so high that it barely touches your head or sits above the hair instead of around it.[5][7] \- Letting huge decorations make it heavy or block people behind you.[6][8][10]

Decorating Your Graduation Cap (If Allowed)

Keep it classy and within the rules

\- Check your school’s policy first—some schools ban decorations; others allow flat, appropriate designs only.[8][6][10] \- Avoid tall, 3D decorations that could fall off or block the view of people sitting behind you.[6][8] \- Simple, meaningful ideas: a short quote, your grad year, initials, or a small symbol that represents your major or future plans.[8][6][10]

Quick FAQ: How to Wear Graduation Cap

[1][3][7][5][9] [7][5][9] [3][5][9] [5][7][9] [6][8][10]

Question	Short Answer
Which way does the point go?	Point of the square goes in front, centered on your forehead like a diamond.
How high above my eyebrows?	About one inch above your eyebrows for a neat, balanced look.
What side does the tassel go on?	Start on the right for high school/bachelor’s, then move to the left when you graduate; many grad degrees keep it on the left.
Should the cap be tilted back?	No, it should sit flat and level on top of your head, not pushed back.
Can I decorate my cap?	Often yes, but follow school rules and avoid big 3D decorations that block views.

Little Story Moment

Picture this: you’re lined up backstage, everyone fixing each other’s caps last minute. One person has theirs tilted way back, another has the tassel on the wrong side, and someone’s giant 3D decoration keeps falling off. After a quick round of “one inch above eyebrows, diamond in front, tassel right side,” the whole row suddenly looks ceremony‑ready and the photos turn out way better than anyone expected.

Bottom Note

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.[1][7][3][5][9][10] If you tell me your hair type and degree level (high school, college, master’s, etc.), I can give you a more personalized “how to wear graduation cap” checklist.