What Is A Mortarboard? (Graduation Regalia Guide)
A mortarboard is the flat, square board fixed to a fitted cap, often called a graduation cap. It is one part of commencement regalia, not proof of a degree or a separate academic credential. Which cap, gown, hood, and tassel you need depends on your institution, so check its official instructions before ordering or dressing.
The number to remember is four: a typical mortarboard’s board is square, with four sides. That simple shape can help you identify it, but it will not tell you which regalia your ceremony requires. Those details vary by institution and sometimes by degree program.
When students ask me what to buy, I suggest checking the rules before the bookstore cart. A generic cap-and-gown set may not include the right hood or tassel, and replacing missing items can cost time and money. Use this guide to identify the cap, check your ceremony requirements, and wear your regalia as directed.
What a Mortarboard Is and Which Graduates Wear One
A mortarboard is a graduation cap with a flat, square board attached to a fitted base. A tassel usually hangs from a button at the center of the board. Many undergraduate and master’s ceremonies use mortarboards, but doctoral ceremonies may call for a soft tam or other headwear.
The word “mortarboard” describes the cap’s shape. It does not name a degree, mark academic honors, or show that a student has met graduation requirements. In everyday use, people often call the full cap a “graduation cap.”
How to recognize a mortarboard
A mortarboard has two main parts: a fitted cap that rests on the head and a flat square board above it. The tassel attaches to a button in the board’s center. Tassel color and placement can vary, so do not use them alone to identify a school or degree.
The board should sit level when worn. Its corners point toward the front, back, and sides of the wearer’s head. If your cap has a different shape, such as a rounded soft tam, it may be another kind of academic headwear.
Which graduates wear one?
Undergraduates and many master’s graduates wear mortarboards, but there is no universal rule that applies to every ceremony. Doctoral regalia may include a soft tam instead. A school, program, or ceremony may also set its own cap style.
There is no universal GPA, credit-hour, or accreditation threshold for wearing a mortarboard. Your institution decides who may take part in commencement and what regalia participants must wear. Those rules are separate from the question of whether your degree has been formally awarded.
Graduation Regalia Components and Institutional Requirements
Graduation regalia means the clothing and accessories worn for an academic ceremony. A common set includes a cap, gown, and tassel; some graduates also need a hood or other program-specific item. The exact pieces, colors, and approved styles come from the institution, not from one rule used by every college.
Before ordering, find the commencement instructions for your school and degree level. Check the ceremony website, bookstore, or registrar’s office if a detail is missing or unclear.
What each part does
A gown is the outer robe worn over regular clothes. A hood is a fabric piece worn over the gown, often with colors or lining tied to a school or degree tradition. A tassel hangs from the cap and may be assigned a color or position for the ceremony.
These pieces are not interchangeable. A cap-and-gown package may not include a required hood, and a tassel supplied with a generic set may not match your school’s instructions. Confirm what is included before paying.
| Regalia item | What it is | What to check before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Mortarboard | Square board attached to a fitted cap | Required cap style and fit |
| Gown | Outer robe worn at commencement | Degree-level style, size, and color |
| Tassel | Cord and decorative strands attached to the cap | Color, whether it is included, and ceremony instructions |
| Hood | Academic garment worn over the gown | Whether your program requires one and which type |
Why program and ceremony rules matter
A college may have different regalia for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral ceremonies. It may also specify a hood, tassel color, vendor, or deadline. Traditions at another school, or advice from a graduate friend, may not match your own ceremony.
A useful comparison is to treat the ceremony’s official page as the rule sheet and store listings as product descriptions. The product tells you what it contains; the school tells you whether those items meet its requirements.
How to Select, Fit, and Wear a Mortarboard
Choose your mortarboard only after confirming the ceremony’s required cap style and the seller’s sizing method. A well-fitting cap should stay in place without forcing the board to tilt. Follow your institution’s directions for cap position and tassel placement, since customs can differ between ceremonies.
Check eligibility and requirements before buying
Use this sequence to reduce the chance of a costly mistake:
- Confirm commencement eligibility. Review your degree audit, or official record of progress toward your degree, and your school’s rules for taking part in the ceremony. Ask an adviser or registrar if a requirement is unclear.
- Find your exact regalia list. Look for instructions for your degree level and program. Confirm cap style, gown, hood, tassel color, vendor, and order deadlines.
- Check what the package includes. Compare each item in the listing with the school’s list. Do not assume “cap and gown” includes a hood or the correct tassel.
- Check the return and exchange terms. Review the seller’s policy before ordering, especially if you are unsure about size or whether an item is program-specific.
If the official instructions and bookstore listing seem to conflict, contact the school or the vendor before placing the order. Keep the answer with your order details.
Measure and fit the cap
Cap sizes and sizing methods can differ by seller, so follow the vendor’s chart rather than relying on a general measurement. If the chart asks for head circumference, wrap a flexible tape around your head where the fitted cap will sit. Keep the tape level and snug, not tight, then match the measurement to that seller’s chart.
Try the cap on before the ceremony, if possible. The fitted part should rest securely, and the square board should sit level rather than slope forward or backward. If it slips, check the seller’s fit guidance or ask the bookstore about an exchange. Do not assume that adjusting the tassel will correct a poorly fitted cap.
Position the cap and tassel
The cap is generally worn with the board level and the fitted part secure on the head. Your school may give more specific directions about which edge faces forward. Follow those instructions rather than relying on a photo from another campus.
Many ceremonies tell graduates to wear the tassel on the right before the degree is conferred, then move it to the left afterward. This custom is not universal. Check your ceremony program or official directions for the timing and side, and follow the instructions given at the event.
Practical decision scenarios
These examples are illustrative, not reports about a specific college. They show how to apply the checks when school rules and store listings leave you with questions.
- A master’s student sees a basic cap-and-gown set. The student checks the program’s list, finds that a hood is also required, and confirms whether the store sells it separately before ordering.
- A doctoral graduate sees a mortarboard in a general listing. The graduate checks the doctoral ceremony page first, since the program may require a soft tam or another form of headwear.
- A student is unsure about tassel placement. Rather than following a friend’s advice from a different school, the student checks the ceremony instructions for the correct side and when to move it.
Commencement, Degree Conferral, and Post-Graduation Steps
Commencement is the ceremony that recognizes graduates, while degree conferral is the formal awarding of the degree by the institution. Taking part in commencement, wearing a mortarboard, or receiving a diploma cover does not by itself prove that the degree has been conferred. Check your school’s academic and administrative records for confirmation.
Keep ceremony participation separate from degree completion
A student may be allowed to participate in commencement under the school’s ceremony rules, but degree completion and degree conferral are separate matters. Your institution’s policies determine the requirements and timing. If you have an outstanding course, administrative hold, or other unresolved issue, ask the registrar or adviser what it means for your degree status.
After the ceremony, check your student account or contact the registrar about final records. Ask how and when the official transcript and diploma will show the degree. The ceremony is an important milestone, but it is not a substitute for those records.
Use a final checklist
Before commencement, make sure you have:
- Confirmed eligibility to participate.
- Checked the cap, gown, hood, and tassel requirements for your degree and ceremony.
- Matched your cap size to the seller’s chart.
- Read instructions on cap position and tassel placement.
- Checked the order deadline and exchange terms.
After commencement, confirm degree conferral and any remaining transcript, diploma, or account steps with your institution. The key point: wear the regalia your school specifies, and use official academic records to confirm your degree.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mortarboards
These quick answers cover common questions about the graduation cap, its parts, and how it fits into commencement. Ceremony customs and regalia rules differ, so treat your institution’s current instructions as the final guide when they differ from general practice.
Is a mortarboard the same as a graduation cap?
Yes. “Mortarboard” is the name for the flat, square board attached to a fitted cap. Many people simply call the whole item a graduation cap.
Why is it called a mortarboard?
The name refers to the cap’s flat, square shape, which resembles a tool used by bricklayers to hold mortar. The term describes the headwear, not a degree or academic status.
Do all graduates wear a mortarboard?
No. Many undergraduate and master’s ceremonies use mortarboards, while doctoral ceremonies may prescribe a soft tam or other headwear. Check the rules for your specific ceremony and program.
Does wearing a mortarboard mean I have graduated?
No. Wearing a cap or attending commencement does not, by itself, confirm that a degree has been awarded. Check your institution’s official records or contact the registrar about degree conferral.
Which side should the tassel be on?
Many ceremonies direct graduates to wear the tassel on the right before conferral and move it to the left afterward. This custom is not universal, so follow your ceremony’s instructions.
What color should my tassel be?
The required color depends on your institution or program. Check the official regalia list or bookstore instructions before ordering; do not assume a color used at another school applies to yours.
Do I need a hood with my mortarboard?
Some graduates need a hood as part of their regalia, but requirements vary by degree and institution. Check your program’s list and confirm whether the hood is included in the package you plan to buy.
How do I know what size mortarboard to order?
Use the seller’s sizing chart and measurement instructions. If the chart asks for head circumference, measure where the fitted cap will sit and match that number to the seller’s chart.
Can I wear a mortarboard from another school?
Only if it meets your current institution’s ceremony requirements. Cap style, color, and included items may differ, so check the rules before reusing or buying a cap from another school.
Is there a GPA or credit-hour requirement to wear a mortarboard?
There is no universal GPA or credit-hour threshold for wearing one. Your institution sets the rules for commencement participation and degree completion. Ask the registrar or adviser about your eligibility.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Nathan Sterling. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
