How To Put On A Grad Cap Correctly: Step-by-Step Academic Guide

To put on a graduation cap correctly, align the pointed front corner of the skullcap roughly one inch above your eyebrows, ensuring the flat mortarboard sits completely level and parallel to the ground. Secure the cap using a criss-crossed bobby pin technique behind the ears, and drape the tassel on the right side of the cap until the academic degrees are officially conferred during your ceremony.

Anatomy of Academic Regalia and Pre-Graduation Checklist

Before attempting to wear your academic regalia, it is crucial to understand the structural design of the traditional graduation cap, historically known as a mortarboard. The mortarboard consists of two primary components: a flat, stiff square board (the crown) and a soft, elasticized skullcap underneath that grips the head.

Standard academic caps are constructed from polyester, faille, or cotton blends, which can easily retain creases from packaging. Achieving a polished, camera-ready look requires careful preparation of both the garment and your hair prior to the commencement ceremony.

Essential Regalia Equipment and Setup Checklist

• Standard Mortarboard Cap: Inspect for structural integrity; the square board must be flat without warping or bent corners.
• Graduation Tassel: The decorative cord featuring a metallic year charm and a secure loop.
• Bobby Pins: At least 4 to 6 pins colored to match your hair shade to discreetly anchor the skullcap.
• Handheld Garment Steamer: Essential for removing creases from the cap fabric and gown (do not use a hot flat iron directly on polyester regalia, as it will melt).
• Texturizing Hair Spray or Dry Shampoo: Provides grip on clean, slippery hair to prevent the cap from shifting.
• Clear Double-Sided Fabric Tape: Useful for securing stubborn tassels or correcting minor fit issues.
• Preparation Timeline: Allow 15 minutes for steaming and cap alignment on the morning of the graduation ceremony.
• Budget Allocation: Standard accessories (bobby pins, tape, and texturizer) typically cost under $15.

Step-by-Step Guide to Aligning and Securing Your Mortarboard

Achieving the perfect fit with a graduation cap requires precision. If the cap is placed incorrectly, it will slide off, ruin your hairstyle, or tilt backward, resulting in poor graduation photos. Follow this systematic process to ensure your cap remains stable throughout the entire ceremony.

Step 1: Identify the Front and Back of the Cap

The skullcap portion of the mortarboard is not a perfect circle; it is contoured to match the human head. Examine the inside of the skullcap. You will find a pointed area and a rounded area.

Look for a manufacturer’s label or an arrow stamped into the fabric indicating "Front" or "Back." If no label is present, identify the elasticized band. The side with the deeper, more elasticized curve is the back of the cap. The shallower, pointed corner is the front of the cap.

Step 2: Prepare Your Hair and Styling Foundations

Your hairstyle will dictate how well the cap sits on your head. Heavy updos, high ponytails, top knots, and high buns will prevent the skullcap from hugging your crown.

Style your hair in a low ponytail, side braid, soft waves, or a straight style. If you plan to wear your hair down, create a clean middle or side part. Spray the crown of your head lightly with a texturizing spray or dry shampoo. This creates friction, giving the smooth inner lining of the skullcap a secure surface to grip.

Step 3: Position the Cap Using the Two-Finger Rule

Place the cap onto your head, starting from the front and pulling it down toward the back. The front pointed edge of the skullcap must rest exactly one inch above your eyebrows. You can measure this by placing your index and middle fingers flat against your forehead directly above your brow line; the bottom edge of the cap should rest right on top of your index finger.

Warning: Do not push the cap far back onto your hairline. This common mistake causes the cap to point upward, exposing your forehead and making the cap prone to falling off.

Step 4: Level the Mortarboard Parallel to the Floor

Once the skullcap is on your head, adjust the flat square board. The board must sit completely level, parallel to the ground. Imagine a spirit level resting on top of your head; the bubble should be perfectly centered.

Pro-Tip: Ask a friend or look in a mirror to confirm that the board does not tilt forward into your eyes or backward toward your neck. A tilted board distorts the drape of the tassel and creates harsh shadows on your face in professional photography.

Step 5: Anchor and Position the Tassel

Loop the long cord of your tassel around the raised button in the exact center of the mortarboard. Pull the tassel gently to ensure the metal clasp sits snugly underneath the button.

For undergraduate students, drape the tassel over the front-right side of your cap, aligning it between the front-right corner and the right ear. For postgraduate students (Master's and Doctorate), the tassel is positioned on the left side from the start of the ceremony.

Step 6: Secure the Cap with the Criss-Cross Pinning Technique

Open a bobby pin and insert it through the fabric of the skullcap, pointing down into your hair. Place this pin just behind your left ear. Insert a second bobby pin crossing over the first pin at a 45-degree angle to lock it in place. Repeat this process behind your right ear.

If you have thick hair or are facing windy outdoor conditions, add two additional crossed pins at the very back of the cap, slipping them underneath the elastic band.

Academic Regalia Specifications and Tassel Placement Metrics

The style of your cap and the placement of your tassel are governed by academic protocols. These protocols trace back to the Intercollegiate Code on Academic Costume. Use this reference table to ensure your presentation matches your specific degree level.

Resolving Common Cap Slippages and Real-World Adjustments

Even when following standard steps, different hair types and weather conditions can cause wearability issues. Use these technical troubleshooting methods to keep your cap in place.

The Cap Slides Backward and Pulls the Hair Upward

• Root Cause: The cap is too small for your head circumference, or it was placed past your hairline, causing the elastic band to contract and slip off the rounded occipital bone at the back of your skull.
• Actionable Fix: Remove the cap and stretch the elastic band manually. Place the front edge of the cap lower—exactly one inch above your eyebrows. Insert bobby pins horizontally through the inner band against the direction of the slip, anchoring them deeply into base braids or hair sections.

The Tassel Swings Into the Eyes or Mouth and Disturbs Vision

• Root Cause: The tassel loop is too long, causing the metal charm to swing too low, or wind is blowing the tassel across your face.
• Actionable Fix: Take the tassel cord and wrap it twice around the central button of the mortarboard to shorten the drop length. If the wind persists, use a tiny piece of clear double-sided fabric tape to secure the cord to the edge of the board, allowing the tassel to hang free only at the very bottom.

The Cap Will Not Fit Over Thick, Braided, or Voluminous Natural Hair

• Root Cause: The rigid structure of the skullcap is not deep enough to accommodate the physical volume of locs, afros, braids, or thick curls, causing the cap to sit perched high on top of the head.
• Actionable Fix: Utilize the "Headband Hack." Purchase a thick plastic headband that matches your cap's color. Sew or hot-glue the headband directly to the inside front rim of the skullcap. This allows you to slide the headband comfortably into your hair, securing the mortarboard securely above your hairstyle without compressing or crushing your natural hair volume.

Windy Outdoor Ceremony Causes the Cap to Lift and Act Like a Sail

• Root Cause: The flat surface area of the mortarboard catches updrafts, and the smooth polyester fabric of the skullcap fails to grip your hair roots.
• Actionable Fix: Spritz the inside lining of the skullcap with strong-hold hairspray before putting it on. Once the cap is positioned, insert bobby pins in a downward, interlocking "X" pattern directly through the fabric of the cap at four key points: front-left, front-right, behind the left ear, and behind the right ear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which way does the tassel go on a graduation cap?

For undergraduate candidates, the tassel starts on the right side of the cap and is moved to the left side after degrees are officially conferred. For graduate students (Master's and Doctorate), the tassel starts on the left side and remains on the left side throughout the entire ceremony.

Should the graduation cap be tilted?

No, the graduation cap should never be tilted backward or to the side. It must sit completely level on top of your head, parallel to the ground, with the front edge positioned approximately one inch above your eyebrows.

How do you secure a grad cap on short hair?

To secure a graduation cap on short hair, apply a texturizing gel or styling wax to the crown to prevent the fabric from sliding on fine hair. Insert bobby pins horizontally through the inside seam of the cap, ensuring they lock directly against your scalp's hair roots.

What hairstyle works best with a graduation cap?

Soft, low hairstyles work best, such as hair worn straight down, a low side ponytail, low curls, or a sleek low bun. Avoid high ponytails, top knots, or elaborate updos that sit on the crown of your head, as they will prevent the cap from fitting.

Can you iron a graduation cap?

Do not use a traditional flat iron directly on a graduation cap, as the high heat will melt the synthetic polyester fabric. Instead, use a handheld garment steamer on a low setting to gently remove wrinkles, keeping the steamer nozzle two inches away from the fabric.

Ensure Your Graduation Day is Picture Perfect

Prepare your academic regalia ahead of time to ensure a stress-free commencement morning. Take a moment to steam your cap, practice securing it with pins, and verify your tassel is on the correct side so you can focus entirely on celebrating your academic achievements.