How to Choose a Flagpole: Telescopic, Wall-Mounted or Ground Pole

To choose a flagpole, start with where it will go and how long it will stay up. A telescopic pole suits gardens and events because it goes up in minutes with no digging. A wall-mounted pole suits a house or shop front. Feather, hand-held and car flag poles are for advertising, events and supporters rather than permanent flying.

Flagpole types compared

Telescopic flag poles

A telescopic flag pole is the most flexible choice for most homes and clubs. It goes up in minutes with no digging and no concrete, and you can choose a height from 3 m to 12 m. If you are putting it into soft ground, add a ground stake. When you no longer need it, it collapses down for storage or for taking to the next event.

Our telescopic poles are sold to fly our 5x3 flags. On a very tall pole a 5x3 will look small from a distance, so take that into account when choosing the height. See all telescopic flag poles. As a rough guide, allow about 1 yard of flag for every 3 m of pole.

Wall-mounted flag poles

If you want to fly a flag from a house, shop, pub or office, a wall-mounted pole is the usual answer. Our aluminium flag pole and wall bracket comes in 6ft or 8ft. The bracket is also sold on its own if you are replacing one or adding a second pole.

Wall poles are shorter than ground poles and sit closer to the building, so they take smaller flags. A 3x2 suits a 6ft pole and a 3x2 or 5x3 suits an 8ft pole. Make sure the flag has room to move without catching on gutters, signs or windows. Browse our wall-mounted flag poles.

Sectional and full-size poles

A heavy-duty sectional flag pole comes in six sections that fit together. It suits people who want a sturdier pole that can still be broken down into manageable parts. You will find it alongside our other larger poles under full-size flag poles.

Hand-held telescopic poles

For marches, parades, sports matches and tour groups, a hand-held pole lets you carry a flag rather than plant one. We sell a 6ft (180 cm) aluminium hand-held telescopic pole and a smaller 1.2 m version. Keep the flag light and modest in size, as a big flag on a hand-held pole is tiring to hold in any wind. See our hand-held flag poles.

Feather and advertising flag poles

Feather flags are tall, narrow flags used outside shops, at exhibitions and on forecourts. They fly from purpose-made multi-section poles in aluminium and fibreglass, in 2.8 m and 4.5 m heights, fitted to a base with a 17 mm spigot. Our custom feather flags come in a small 60 x 200 cm flag for the 2.8 m pole and a large 90 x 340 cm flag for the 4.5 m pole. A standard rectangular flag is not designed for these poles.

Car flag poles

A 40 cm plastic car flag pole is a simple way to show support for a team or celebrate an occasion. According to gov.uk, it is not a specific offence to fly a flag on a vehicle if it is fitted sensibly, but it must not block the driver's view or be dangerously fitted. Many suppliers advise against using car flags at motorway speeds.

Matching the flag and fittings to the pole

Flags attach to poles in different ways, and the fitting needs to match the pole:

• Metal eyelets are found on our standard woven polyester flags, with two eyelets in the header on the hanging side.
• Rope and toggle is the traditional fitting for poles with a halyard (a rope that raises and lowers the flag). Our DuraFlags come with rope and toggle.
• Clips are offered on some DuraFlag sizes as an alternative.

Before you buy, check how your pole holds a flag and choose a flag with the matching fitting. Our guide to flag fittings explained goes through each option and which poles they suit.

Think about planning permission

In England, the flag and the flagpole are treated separately under planning rules. Many flags can be flown without consent, but the pole itself may need planning permission, and on a listed building it may also need listed building consent. Tall poles in the grounds of a building, and poles in conservation areas and other controlled areas, need more care. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules. If in doubt, check with your local planning authority before installing. Our guide to flagpole planning permission explains the rules for England in more detail.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest flagpole to put up?

A telescopic pole. It needs no digging or concrete, goes up in minutes and collapses down when you are finished.

What height flagpole do I need for a garden?

That depends on the space and the view, but telescopic poles are available from 3 m to 12 m. Remember that a taller pole looks best with a larger flag, and that tall poles may need planning permission.

Can I fly a 5x3 flag from a wall pole?

Yes, from an 8ft wall pole. A 6ft wall pole is better suited to a 3x2 flag.

Do I need a special flag for a feather pole?

Yes. Feather poles are designed for feather flags, which are tall and narrow and made to fit the pole. A normal rectangular flag will not fit properly.

Which fitting do I need for a pole with a rope?

A rope (halyard) pole is normally used with rope and toggle, or with clips. Our DuraFlags come with rope and toggle, with clips on some sizes.

Compare every option in our flag poles range, from telescopic garden poles to wall brackets and hand-held poles.