3 Ways To Wear A Graduation Cap - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Wear a Graduation Cap PDF download Download Article Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: May 13, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Putting on the Cap
    • |
  • Looking Your Best
    • |
  • Keeping Your Cap in Good Condition
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 300,206 times. Learn more...

Cap-and-gown graduation ceremonies are a tradition that go back to the Middle Ages. Even though times (and styles) have changed considerably since then, it’s still important to cut a handsome image when you’re walking across the stage. Donning a graduation cap may seem simple, but there’s a right and a wrong way to do it that may vary depending on your school, field of study or graduate level. No matter what sort of cap you’re wearing, you’ll want to make sure that it fits properly and is lined up in all the right places, and that you keep it in pristine condition until it’s time to receive your diploma.

Things You Should Know

  • After placing your cap so the point faces forward, hang your tassel on the right before your ceremony and the left after your ceremony.
  • For great style, get a cap that's the right size, fix your hair so it fits under your cap, and decorate with accessories or a quote.
  • Store your cap in a box while it's not being used and be sure to brush out its tassels before use.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Putting on the Cap

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  1. Step 1 Arrange the cap so that the point is in front. 1 Arrange the cap so that the point is in front. The mortarboard (the square piece on the crown of the cap) is meant to be worn offset in a diamond shape. The front and back of the cap will usually be indicated by the design of the headpiece—look for the slight taper in the forehead area and the elastic band in the rear.
    • Situate the cap so that the front corner of the mortarboard is centered on your forehead.[1]
    • If you’re still not sure which way it goes, take a look inside the brim. The manufacturer often includes basic directions for how to wear the cap properly.
  2. Step 2 Make sure the cap sits evenly. 2 Make sure the cap sits evenly. Once the cap is on your head, the mortarboard should be flat and level with the ground. If it’s not, you may need to tilt it slightly to straighten it out. Double check that the band of the headpiece is symmetrical and comes to a stop about an inch above your eyebrows.
    • Don’t push the cap too far forward or back on your head or let it lean to one side.
    • To test whether your cap is level, try placing a lightweight object on top and see if it stays in place.
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  3. Step 3 Attach the tassel. 3 Attach the tassel. If the cap doesn’t have a fixed tassel, or it doesn’t arrive preassembled, you’ll need to put it on yourself. To do this, simply loop the circular end of the tassel over the raised button in the center of the mortarboard. It should be able to slide freely around the button without coming loose.
    • Give the tassel a couple gentle tugs to make sure it’s secure.
  4. Step 4 Position the tassel correctly. 4 Position the tassel correctly. At the beginning of the ceremony, the tassel should fall on the right side of the cap (unless otherwise specified). Once everyone in the class has been announced, you and your fellow grads will flip it around to the left side, signifying your transition from student to graduate.
    • Some schools and programs may do things a little differently. Be sure that you’re clear about your school’s established practices prior to the big day.
    • Keep the tassel out of your line of sight and resist the urge to mess with it as much as possible.
  5. Step 5 Leave your cap on for the duration of the ceremony. 5 Leave your cap on for the duration of the ceremony. Once you've got your cap and gown on, try not to fidget with them too much. They may not be the most comfortable, but you'll only have to wear them for a couple of hours. When it comes time to remove your cap, do it in style—new graduates traditionally toss their caps into the air as a celebratory gesture when the ceremony draws to a close.
    • Resist the urge to remove your cap for any reason once the ceremony is underway, unless it's for the singing of the National Anthem.
    • You can hold onto your cap if you'd rather be wearing it when it comes time to take pictures. In fact, this will definitely be a good idea if your regalia is rented!
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Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Looking Your Best

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  1. Step 1 Order your cap... 1 Order your cap and gown in the right size. Use the size measurements provided by the supplier to ensure that your graduation regalia will fit the way it’s supposed to. The cap itself should be snug, but not too tight. If it keeps slipping out of place, it’s most likely too big, whereas if it’s cutting off your circulation you might benefit from going up a size.[2]
    • Get a more accurate estimate by measuring your crown with a tape measure and comparing that measurement to the available sizing options.[3]
    • Return poorly-fitting caps and gowns right away to give yourself plenty of time to have them exchanged for the correct size.
  2. Step 2 Give the cap a trial run. 2 Give the cap a trial run. It’s a good idea to try your cap and gown on a time or two before the actual ceremony so you can get an idea of how the completed ensemble will look together. This will also give you a chance to make any necessary last minute adjustments.
    • The more times you wear the cap, the more comfortable you’ll feel once it’s time to take to the stage.
  3. Step 3 Style your hair... 3 Style your hair to fit under the cap. Most guys and ladies with shorter hair will be able to get away with minimal styling. Those with longer locks can experiment with ponytails, braids or straightened looks that draw the eye to the neck and shoulders. The key is to keep the hair smoothed away from the crown to give the cap the space it needs to rest comfortably.
    • If you’d prefer to show off a more elegant style, try curling the ends or tucking it up so that it’s just visible beneath the cap.
    • It’s typically wise to avoid up-dos and styles with too much volume.
  4. Step 4 Save the cap for last. 4 Save the cap for last. Wait until you’re wearing your gown, stole and any other components to put on the cap. That way, you can focus your attention on fixing your hair and makeup without worrying about messing them up later. The cap should be the final addition to your graduation regalia.[4]
    • Some gowns and hoods are designed to be slipped over your head, which can be tricky if you’ve already got your cap on.
  5. Step 5 Decorate your cap. 5 Decorate your cap. Some schools may allow you to add small embellishments to your graduation cap to express your personality and help you stand out from the crowd. Tack on a few buttons or a pendant for a modest injection of personality, or break out the paint pens, glitter and fabric letters to really make a statement. This is an important day in your life, so it's important that you enjoy yourself while you're receiving your honors.[5]
    • Use paint, fabric and other accessories in your school's colors.
    • Spell out a special message or quote related to graduation. Even if your classmates can't see it, the audience will.
    • Be sure to run your decorating ideas by the principal or dean before you making any drastic modifications to your regalia.
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Keeping Your Cap in Good Condition

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  1. Step 1 Put the cap away until you need it. 1 Put the cap away until you need it. The best way to protect your graduation cap from damage is to not take it out any more often than you have to. Stash the cap in the box it was packaged in when it’s not in use and set it on the top shelf of a closet where it won’t get crushed or bent. This will keep it from being exposed to dust, sunlight and moisture, as well as other potential dangers like pets or small children.
    • Handle the mortarboard carefully. Always grip it lightly by the edges whenever you’re picking it up or setting it down.
    • As soon as you receive your cap and gown, place them on a hanger to work out the wrinkles.
  2. Step 2 Brush out the tassel. 2 Brush out the tassel. As your cap gets moved around, the strands of the tassel may get hung up on one another. Run your fingers through the strands before putting on the cap to separate them and keep them looking neat and orderly.
    • This should be done just before you put the cap on so you can walk down the aisle confident and tangle-free.
  3. Step 3 Keep your cap spotless. 3 Keep your cap spotless. There will probably be no need to clean your cap prior to graduation, but if for some reason you must, do it with a gentle steaming or ironing. Never put the cap through the washing machine, have it dry cleaned or allow it to get wet, as this can easily ruin the fabric or cause it to lose its shape.[6]
    • Brush loose dust and dirt from your cap and gown by hand rather than using an implement that may damage the material.
    • Don’t leave your cap sitting out where it may get something spilled on it.
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Video

Community Q&A

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  • Question What if you have a big head? Otterly Badgerific Otterly Badgerific Top Answerer Request a larger size of graduation cap; try it on before hiring or purchasing, so that you can be absolutely certain it's a good fit. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 9
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Tips

  • Use a couple clips or bobby pins to prevent the cap from sliding around or being carried off by a gust of wind. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 2
  • If you can try to steam your cap and gown before the day of graduation instead of ironing it. Sometimes the gown can get burn damage from irons. Steaming it can release the wrinkles without damaging it. You can even do this by hanging it up in the bathroom when you take a shower because the shower steam works the same way. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
  • A small amount of low-hold hair styling product can keep a tight cap from wreaking havoc on your hair before you take pictures or go out for a celebratory dinner. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Find a better place to keep your graduation regalia than in your car, locker or luggage. Thanks Helpful 11 Not Helpful 2
  • Avoid ironing caps or gowns made from synthetic materials like polyester or rayon. Intense heat can cause them to melt. Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 4
  • Some schools won’t let you decorate your cap; ask your principal or dean if you are allowed to decorate your cap. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkHvztPu6PE
  2. ↑ https://www.collegevine.com/faq/126083/tips-for-wearing-your-grad-cap-on-graduation-day
  3. ↑ https://www.collegevine.com/faq/126083/tips-for-wearing-your-grad-cap-on-graduation-day
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkHvztPu6PE
  5. ↑ http://hative.com/awesome-graduation-cap-decoration-ideas/
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkHvztPu6PE

About This Article

wikiHow Staff Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 300,206 times. 31 votes - 81% Co-authors: 18 Updated: May 13, 2025 Views: 300,206 Categories: Featured Articles | Youth Graduation | Graduation Article SummaryX

To wear a graduation cap, arrange it so that the tapered part is on your forehead and the elastic band is in the back near the nape of your neck. Once on, the square piece on the crown of the cap should make a diamond shape on your head, with points over your ears, neck, and forehead. Additionally, at the beginning of the ceremony, the tassel should fall on the right side of the cap, and once everyone in the class has been announced, you and your fellow graduates can flip the tassel to the left side, signifying your graduation. To learn how to style your hair to fit under the cap, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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