Design

The basic design of the current flag is specified by 4 U.S.C. (Title 4 of the United States Code); outlines the addition of new stars to represent new states, with no distinction made for the shape, size, or arrangement of the stars. Specifications for federal government use adhere to the following values: Hoist (height) of the flag: A = 1.0 Fly (width) of the flag: B = 1.9 Hoist (height) of the canton ("union"): C = 0.5385 (A × 7/13, spanning seven stripes) Fly (width) of the canton: D = 0.76 (B × 2/5, two-fifths of the flag width) E = F = 0.0538 (C/10, One-tenth of the height of the canton) G = H = 0.0633 (D/12, One twelfth of the width of the canton) Diameter of star: K = 0.0616 (L × 4/5, four-fifths of the stripe width, the calculation only gives 0.0616 if L is first rounded to 0.077) Width of stripe: L = 0.0769 (A/13, One thirteenth of the flag height) These specifications are contained in an executive order which, strictly speaking, governs only flags made for or by the U.S. federal government. In practice, most U.S. national flags available for sale to the public have a different width-to-height ratio; common sizes are 2 × 3 ft. or 4 × 6 ft. (flag ratio 1.5), 2.5 × 4 ft. or 5 × 8 ft. (1.6), or 3 × 5 ft. or 6 × 10 ft. (1.667). Even flags flown over the U.S. Capitol for sale to the public through Representatives or Senators are provided in these sizes. Flags that are made to the prescribed 1.9 ratio are often referred to as "G-spec" (for "government specification") flags.