23 Best Graduation Cap Ideas You’ll Obsess Over (2024)

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Looking for graduation caps to wear on your graduation? Here are the best graduation cap ideas for 2023!

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The Best Graduation Cap Ideas

This post is all about the bestgraduation cap ideas for every type of graduate.

Graduation is one of the best moments in every student’s life.And after all that hard work and all-nighters you deserve to look fab while you’re walking across that stage.

One of the most fun parts aboutgraduation(besides the celebration, of course) is seeing all the unique and memorable grad-cap ideas each graduate comes up with!

However, there are so many graduation cap ideas that you can find on the Internet, and picking out something that you will love can be a bit overwhelming!

Whether you’re graduating from high school or college, celebrate your hard work with a grad cap that has as much personality as you do. From funny pop culture references to inspirational messages, these 23 clever and beautiful graduation cap ideas are sure to be a hit on your big day!

1. Handpainted Graduation Cap

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This handpainted floral graduation cap is the perfect way to show off your creativity and your favorite inspirational quote!

2. Inspirational Message

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This starry sky-themed graduation cap idea looks so stunning! And with this inspirational saying and cool blue design, you’re sure to stand out.

3. The Mean Girls Graduation Cap

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Using a movie quote that fits with graduation is always a great option for your grad cap. Plus if you love all things pink and sparkly, then what better than a ‘Mean Girls’ themed grad cap! Someglittery pink foam and rhinestones are all you need to recreate this idea!

4. Floral Graduation Cap

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If you are a DIY queen then this floral graduation cap is the one for you! “Nevertheless She Persisted” is a classic and would be a perfect quote to put on your graduation cap.

5. Simple Graduation Cap

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Don’t feel like going too crazy?This graduation cap idea is perfect for anyone looking for a simple and cute design that’d still make them stand apart in the sea of grads! The message ‘the world awaits’! is simple but super inspirational!

6. Tangle Themed Graduation Cap

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This Tangled graduation cap is so gorgeous! Fake flowers are such a pretty and cheap way to glam up your cap. And the message ‘On to my new dream’ is a great way to show off you’re graduating and ready to change the world.

7. Adventure is Out There

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If you’re super excited to take on the post-grad life, nothing shows how ready you’re to take on the world than this adventurous graduation cap design!

8. Thank You Graduation Cap

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Graduation is the perfect time to thank your parents or those who have helped you attain your dream. Show how grateful you feel for having them in your life with this pretty graduation cap idea.

9. And She Graduated Happily Ever After

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Another great Disney graduation cap idea with the iconic Disney castle and the perfect message to go with it!

10. Two Degrees Graduation Cap

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If you’ve just completed your master’s degree, then this ‘hotter by two degrees’ would be the perfect graduation cap idea for you!

11. Lion King Inspired Graduation Cap

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Song lyrics inspired graduation cap designs are the best, especially something as famous and meaningful as ‘Hakuna Matata’!

This idea is super easy to copy and all you need is a glittery formboard and somepaper flowers for crafts.

12. Leslie Knope Cap

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This inspirational Leslie Knope quote (from Parks and Recreation) would be a perfect fit to put on your graduation cap!

13. “Friends” Inspired Graduation Cap

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If you’re a fan of the ‘Friends’ show, then this will be the perfect graduation cap for you!

14. Darth Vader Graduation Cap

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If you’re a big Star Wars fan, you have to incorporate a Star Wars scene into your graduation cap! Plus the message will be so perfect for the graduation ceremony!

15. I Hope My Dog Is Proud Of Me

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If you’re someone who owns a dog or any other type of pet, then this would be a wonderful idea to copy! Plus it’s incredibly easy to copy with a white glittery cardstock and cut-out pictures of your pet!

16. RIP Senior Year

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Such a fun way to say goodbye to your college days! You can easily DIY this graduation cap idea with someglittery foamandletter-iron patches.

17. Princess Diaries Graduation Cap

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Get a little silly with this princess diaries graduation cap that’s super funny and easy to create!

18. Hogwarts Graduation Cap

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This Marauder’s map-inspired graduation cap idea, based on the Harry Potter novels, is another unique and funny graduation cap! Some glittery foam, craft paper, and a sharpy are all you need to DIY this idea!

19. And The Story Goes On

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Sometimes keeping it simple is the way to go! You may have graduated but your story is far from over!

20. 7 Rings Inspired Graduation Cap

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This Ariana Grande-inspired graduation cap is an adorable way to say that you’re incredibly proud of yourself! Some pink paper flowers, rhinestone strip, and glitter alphabets; that’s all you need to make this unique and funny graduation cap!

21. Spongebob Squarepants-inspired

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How hilarious is this graduation cap idea? SpongeBob is such a super popular and funny way to decorate your cap!

22. Rose Gold Graduation Cap

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This rose gold graduation cap looks so gorgeous with all the flowers and rhinestones! It might take you some time to get this done but the end result will be so worth it!!

23. Dory Graduation Cap

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College can be exhausting and intimidating. This Dory graduation cap with the message ‘Just Keep Swimming’ perfectly captures that sentiment and at the same time motivates you to hold on!!

This post is all about the best graduation cap ideas.

Whether you’re totally into funny quotes or cool artwork, these DIY graduation caps are sure to give you some inspiration.

I hope you found the perfect graduation cap idea for your big day!

For more ideas about graduation, be sure to read the following posts…

25 Insanely Genius Graduation Party Ideas That’ll Blow Your Mind
35 Awesome Graduation Party Ideas That You’ll Love
21 Best Backyard Graduation Party Ideas Your Guests Will Love
27 Graduation Party Food Ideas Your Guests Will Love

23 Best Graduation Cap Ideas You’ll Obsess Over (2024)

FAQs

What does the graduation cap symbolize? ›

The academic cap, therefore, has become a sign of the freedom of scholarship. The flowing gown has become symbolic of the democracy of scholarship, for it covers clothing that could indicate rank or social stratum.

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What does a GREY tassel mean? ›

The color is distinctive of the degree being received. Tassel colors are as follows: Graduate School. (PhD/DMA): Gray. (Others): Black.

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What does switching the tassel mean? ›

Why Do We Turn The Tassel? Depending on your educational level, you may move the tassel left or right after graduating. The tassel before graduation symbolizes your time as a student. When you move it to the other side, you are confirming your newfound graduate status.

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What are the rules for graduation tassels? ›

Traditionally tassels are worn on the right side and moved to the left during a special portion of the ceremony for high school graduates. For college graduates, Bachelor again wear tassels on right side until their degrees are conferred, then move to left. Graduate students wear on left from the beginning.

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What are the rules for graduation hats? ›

Wear your mortarboard like the academic pro you are. Place the cap on your head so the point is in the front, about 1 inch above the eyebrows. Your mortarboard should be worn level on your head, and the tassel should be placed on the right side.

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How do you wear bangs under a graduation cap? ›

Just fold back the front part of your cap for a perfect flat square on top of your head. Perfect for full bangs or any type of bangs.

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What is the tradition of decorating graduation caps? ›

Decorating your graduation cap has become a big tradition at many universities. For many, it is a way to express how they are feeling after spending four years of their life in school. Acrylic and white ink pen on cardstock! Some caps are optimistic while others express their worry about student loans.

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Is it normal to decorate your graduation cap? ›

Decorating graduation caps has long been a tradition among graduates, many of whom do all the gluing, beading and glittering themselves or with friends.

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Do people decorate their graduation hats? ›

Decorating your graduation cap or mortarboard has turned into a tradition for graduates.

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What does a red graduation cap mean? ›

For graduate hoods and academic regalia colors, red or shades of red are used to designate the degree or discipline of Canon Law, Communications, Conservation, Divinity, Forestry, Journalism, Music, Public Health, Sacred Theology, and Theology.

What does the purple graduation cap mean? ›

The colors of the hoods and tassels can also have specific meanings based on the field of study. For example, blue can represent philosophy, green can represent medicine, and purple can represent law.

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What does the gold tassel on a graduation cap mean? ›

A gold graduation tassel is one of the most popular options for high schools, or for students who are graduating with special honors. Gold tassels may be reserved for those who are on the Dean's list, or for those students who are being recognized for special services to the school.

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What is the history of the turning of the tassel? ›

While widely recognized today, the turning of the tassel is not technically a written tradition. It is likely that the tassel tradition began as a way to symbolize the receipt of a diploma for high school students who do not receive a hood.