Graduation Tassel Side: Which Side Does the Tassel Go On?

Few graduation questions get asked more, minutes before a ceremony, than the graduation tassel side question: does it start on the right or the left? Here is the short answer up front. For high school graduates and college undergraduates, the tassel starts on the right side of the cap and moves to the left at the moment the class is officially declared graduated. Graduate students receiving master’s and doctoral degrees typically wear it on the left for the entire ceremony. That’s the rule; the rest of this guide covers where it came from, how the tassel turning ceremony actually works, the exceptions worth knowing, and how to keep your tassel looking sharp in every photo.

The Right-to-Left Rule, Explained

The tassel turn is a modern American tradition layered onto centuries-old academic dress. Academic caps and gowns trace back to medieval European universities, but the mortarboard tassel as a movable symbol is largely a twentieth-century American convention. The switch from right to left serves a simple visual purpose: at a glance, everyone in the room can see who has been conferred their degree and who hasn’t. Before the conferral, a sea of tassels hangs to the right; after the announcement, the whole class flips together, and that collective motion is the photograph every ceremony builds toward.

Think of it like a diploma you can see from the back row. The graduation tassel side you wear literally signals your status: right means candidate, left means graduate.

When Exactly Do You Turn It?

You turn the tassel when you are told to, and not before. In most high school ceremonies, the principal or superintendent declares the class graduated after the last diploma is handed out, and everyone turns together. Many colleges do the same at the conferral of degrees, though some instruct graduates to move the tassel individually as they cross the stage after receiving their diploma cover. Listen for the officiant’s instruction; ceremonies rehearse this moment for a reason.

Tassel Side by Ceremony Type

Different degree levels and ceremony formats handle the tassel differently. This table is the quick reference to keep on your phone:

Photos are the big exception to every rule. For portraits taken before ceremony day, most photographers position the tassel on the left, or sweep it fully to the side, so it frames the face instead of covering it. Nobody checks tradition in a portrait; they check whether the tassel hides your smile.

How the Tassel Turning Ceremony Works

If you are organizing a ceremony, script the moment explicitly. The officiant says something like: “By the authority vested in me, I now declare you graduates of the Class of 2027. Graduates, you may move your tassels from the right to the left.” Three practical notes for coordinators:

• Say the direction out loud. “Right to left” spoken clearly prevents the half-the-room-goes-the-wrong-way problem.
• Cue the photographers first. The synchronized turn and the cap toss that often follows are the two shots families want.
• Rehearse it once. Ten seconds at rehearsal saves the moment on the day.

Some schools pair the turn with a candle lighting, a ring ceremony, or an alma mater sung immediately after — the turn works as a hinge between “students” and “alumni” in almost any program order.

Which Side for Photos, Caps on Walls, and Keepsakes?

After the ceremony, tassel etiquette relaxes completely. Hang your tassel from a rearview mirror, drape it over a framed diploma, or display it with your cap; there is no wrong side once you’ve graduated. Many grads keep the tassel as the single most durable memento of the day, since gowns are often rented and caps get tossed. If you’re thinking about how to preserve yours, our companion guide to graduation tassel keepsakes and display ideas covers frames, shadow boxes, and mirror displays in detail.

Does Tassel Color Change the Rule?

No. Whether your tassel is a single school color, a two-color blend, or a degree-specific color, the graduation tassel side rules are the same. Color signals your school or field of study; side signals your graduation status. The same goes for charms: a year charm or custom drop charm rides along wherever the tassel goes and doesn’t affect the tradition.

Quick Answers to the Most-Asked Tassel Questions

Which side does the tassel go on for high school graduation?

Start on the right, turn to the left when your class is declared graduated.

Is it left or right for college graduation photos?

Officially right (before conferral), but photographers usually place it left or swept aside so it doesn’t cover your face. Either is acceptable in portraits.

What about international ceremonies?

The right-to-left turn is primarily a North American custom. Universities in the UK, Australia, and much of Europe often use hoods rather than tassel turns as the visual marker, and some don’t use mortarboard tassels at all. Follow your institution’s guide.

Can I wear two tassels?

Yes — honor societies and dual programs sometimes issue a second tassel. Wear both together and turn both together, or wear the honor tassel and pack the school one as a spare.

One Tradition, One Small Motion

The whole tradition comes down to one small motion that turns a candidate into a graduate. Start right, wait for the word, finish left, and keep the tassel forever. If your school or class is planning a ceremony and needs matching tassels in your exact colors, QuokkaPrints produces custom tassels with year charms in any color combination — you can read about our story on the about page and find more regalia guides on the blog.