What Is a Graduation Cap Called?

A traditional square graduation cap is commonly called a mortarboard. It may also be called an academic cap, graduate cap, or simply a graduation cap. Tassel Depot offers mortarboards and other graduation regalia for individual graduates, schools, and organizations. The word mortarboard refers specifically to the familiar cap with a flat, square top and a tassel attached at the center. The term academic cap is broader and can include other styles worn during commencement ceremonies.

What Is a Mortarboard?

A mortarboard is the square academic cap commonly worn at high school and college graduation ceremonies. It consists of a fitted or flexible skullcap topped by a stiff square board. A button in the center holds the tassel.

The term mortarboard describes the entire cap, including the fitted headpiece and square top. It is the style most people picture when they think of a graduation hat, and it is widely used for high school, bachelor’s, and many master’s ceremonies.

Why Is a Graduation Cap Called a Mortarboard?

The cap earned the name mortarboard because its flat, square shape resembles the board traditionally used by masons to hold mortar. The comparison describes the cap’s appearance rather than its materials or academic meaning.

The modern graduation cap developed over centuries as academic dress changed. The name mortarboard eventually became closely associated with the square cap used in commencement ceremonies. Today, mortarboard, academic cap, and graduation cap are often used interchangeably when referring to this familiar style.

Are All Graduation Caps Mortarboards?

Not every academic cap is a mortarboard. Some graduates, faculty members, and academic officials wear a soft academic cap called a tam. Tams are often made from velvet and may have four, six, or eight sides, depending on the institution or regalia style. They are commonly associated with doctoral regalia and may be worn with a gold tassel.

Many institutions use mortarboards for undergraduate and master’s candidates and tams for doctoral candidates. Other schools use mortarboards for several degree levels or follow different traditions. Graduates should confirm the required cap style with their school before ordering because the degree level alone does not determine what every institution requires.

What Is Academic Regalia?

Academic regalia is the formal attire worn for graduation and other academic ceremonies. It can include a cap, gown, hood, tassel, honor cords, stoles, and other accessories that reflect a graduate’s school, degree, field of study, or achievements.

The graduation cap is one part of that larger outfit. A mortarboard may be paired with a tassel in a school color or academic-discipline color. Graduate-level regalia may also include a hood, while honor cords and stoles can recognize academic achievement, organizational membership, leadership, or cultural affiliation.

Because academic dress varies by institution, students should follow the instructions supplied by their school rather than assuming that one color, cap style, or accessory rule applies everywhere.

What Is the Hanging Piece on a Graduation Cap Called?

The hanging piece attached to the center of a mortarboard is called a tassel. Graduation tassels may include a year charm, school colors, or colors connected to a degree or academic field.

Many undergraduate ceremonies begin with tassels on the right side, and graduates move them to the left after degrees are conferred. Some schools and graduate programs follow different customs, so participants should wait for the directions given during their ceremony.

How Did Graduation Caps Become Part of Academic Dress?

Modern academic regalia developed from clothing worn at medieval European universities. Scholars and members of the clergy wore gowns, hoods, and caps that reflected the formal dress of the period and helped provide warmth in unheated buildings.

The shape and meaning of academic clothing changed as universities developed their own customs. Caps and gowns gradually became symbols of scholarly standing and degree completion. In the United States, colleges later adopted more consistent academic-dress standards. Even so, some schools continue to use their own colors, cap styles, and ceremony rules.

The mortarboard remains one of the most recognizable parts of graduation attire. This is because its square shape and tassel are closely associated with commencement and academic achievement.

Find Graduation Caps and Regalia at Tassel Depot

Whether you call it a mortarboard, academic cap, graduate cap, or graduation hat, the correct choice is the one that meets the school’s ceremony requirements. Tassel Depot offers graduation caps and gowns, graduation tassels, honor cords, graduation stoles, diploma covers, and other accessories for individual graduates and group orders.

Review the available graduation cap options or contact us for help choosing products that coordinate with your school colors, degree level, and ceremony plans.