You’ve spent four years—maybe more—grinding through late-night study sessions, overpriced coffee, and exams that felt like they were written in a different language. Now, the big day is finally here. You pull your graduation gear out of the plastic bag, and suddenly, there’s a moment of pure panic. You’re staring at a square piece of polyester and a string of fringe, wondering if there’s a secret code to it all. Honestly, figuring out how to put tassel on grad cap shouldn’t be harder than a mid-term, but in the heat of the moment, everyone forgets which way is up.
It’s just a loop and a button. Simple, right? But if you do it wrong, that tassel is going to be hitting you in the eye during your professional photos or, worse, falling off entirely while you’re walking across the stage.
The Anatomy of the Cap and Why It Matters
Before you just start yanking on strings, look at your mortarboard. Most people don't realize that a graduation cap actually has a "front" and a "back." If you put it on backwards, the tassel won't sit right no matter what you do. Look inside the crown—the part that actually touches your head. Usually, there’s a tapered part or a specific elastic bit that marks the back. The front is typically a bit more structured to sit flat against your forehead.
Now, look at the top. There’s a small button right in the center. This is your anchor. This little fabric-covered nub is the only thing standing between you and a "tassel fail" caught on 4K video.
How to Put Tassel on Grad Cap: The Step-by-Step
First, take your tassel out of its protective sleeve. It's probably a bit crimped. Give it a gentle shake. Don't pull on the individual threads or you'll end up with a frizzy mess before the ceremony even starts.
Take the long loop at the end of the tassel. You aren't going to tie anything. You aren't going to use safety pins—please, for the love of your photos, don't use safety pins. You’re going to slide that loop over the center button on the top of the cap.
Push the loop all the way down. You want it to sit firmly under the "head" of the button. Give it a tiny tug to make sure it’s snagged on the post. If the loop feels too big or loose, some people like to wrap it around the button twice, but honestly, that usually makes it sit weirdly high. One solid loop is generally the standard.
Once it's on the button, pull the tassel toward the right side of your face. Why the right? Because tradition dictates that you start as a candidate on the right and move to the left once you've officially graduated.
The Left vs. Right Debate
This is where the confusion usually peaks. If you're graduating from high school or getting an undergraduate degree, the rule is almost universal: Right to Left. You start with the tassel hanging over the right front corner of your cap. It stays there through the speeches, the national anthem, and the long, long list of names. Once the principal or the dean officially declares the class graduated, everyone moves their tassel to the left in unison. It’s a rite of passage.
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However, if you’re getting a Master’s or a Doctorate, things change. According to the American Council on Education, many institutions prefer that advanced degree candidates keep the tassel on the left the entire time. You’ve already done the "moving the tassel" thing once before, so now you’re just starting off as a graduate. Check your specific school's commencement guide, though, because some universities like to do things their own way just to keep you on your toes.
Dealing With "Tassel Flyaway"
Let’s talk about wind. If your graduation is outdoors, that tassel is going to act like a weather vane. It will whip around, get stuck in your lip gloss, or wrap itself around your glasses.
A pro tip that most "official" guides won't tell you: use a tiny bit of clear medical tape or a small bobby pin on the inside edge of the cap's mortarboard to guide the string. Don't pin the tassel itself, just the string leading up to it. This keeps it from swinging wildly while you’re trying to look dignified.
Another thing? The charm. That little "2026" or "2025" metal piece has a habit of flipping over. Before you walk, make sure the numbers are facing outward. It’s a small detail, but it’s the one thing parents notice in the photos they’ll be hanging on the wall for the next thirty years.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Some people try to loop the tassel through the "hole" in the button. There is no hole. If you try to force it, you might pop the button off the cap entirely. If that happens, you’re looking at a frantic hot-glue gun session ten minutes before the processional.
Also, watch the height. The tassel should hang freely. It shouldn't be looped so tightly that the fringe is sitting on top of the board. It needs to drape. If it’s too long and hitting your shoulder, you might have the wrong size tassel (yes, they come in different lengths for different heights), but usually, just adjusting the loop on the center button will fix the hang.
Hair Strategy and the Tassel
You can't talk about how to put tassel on grad cap without talking about hair. If you’re wearing your hair down, the tassel is going to get tangled. It’s inevitable.
If you have a lot of volume or a ponytail, the cap is going to want to tilt back. This makes the tassel hang toward the back of your head instead of the front. Use bobby pins that match your hair color to secure the front of the cap to your hair. This keeps the mortarboard level, which ensures the tassel hangs exactly where it’s supposed to—at the front corner.
What About the "Turning of the Tassel"?
When the moment finally comes, don't just grab the fringe and yank it. Reach for the string part, just above the charm. Use your left hand to move it from the right side of the cap to the left.
Do it slowly. It’s a big moment! If you do it too fast, you might snag it on your cap’s corner. Plus, moving it deliberately gives your family a better chance to snap a photo of the actual transition.
Actionable Next Steps for Graduation Day
Preparation is basically the only way to avoid a meltdown on the morning of commencement.
- Steam your gown early. Do not—I repeat, do not—use a high-heat iron on that cheap polyester or it will melt. Use a steamer or hang it in the bathroom while you take a hot shower.
- Test fit the cap. Put the tassel on the day before. See how it hangs. If your cap is too big and sliding around, get some adhesive foam strips to stick inside the rim for a tighter fit.
- Bobby pin check. Pack at least five more bobby pins than you think you need. Someone in your row will definitely forget theirs, and you'll be the hero of the graduating class.
- The "Shake Test." Once the tassel is on, put the cap on and shake your head gently. If the tassel stays on the button and doesn't fly into your mouth, you're golden.
- Photo Prep. Practice your "camera side." Since the tassel hangs on the right initially, your "good side" for photos might change once you move it to the left.
Graduation is a chaotic mix of emotions and logistics. Once you've mastered the tassel, you've conquered the last technical hurdle of your academic career. Wear it with a bit of pride—you earned that piece of string.