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Ultimate Cub Scout Patch & Badge Placement Guide 2024

Updated to include the Lion rank patch, this ultimate guide to Cub Scout patch placement will show you exactly where the patches go. Simple diagrams help put all those badges in the right places.

Cub Scout patch placement can be very confusing–especially for a new Cub Scout family. In this article, we'll cover the basic Cub Scout patches and badges so that you can get your child's uniform ready for their first Cub Scout meeting!

This post will walk you through the Cub Scout insignia placement. If you prefer to watch a video, keep scrolling!

Cub Scout Patch Placement 2019 f

Check out the easiest way ever to sew on Cub Scout patches!

Left Sleeve Cub Scout Patch Placement

cub scout uniform sleeve patches

If you aren't a seamstress, consider using Badge Magic!  It's an easy, no-sew, no-iron solution for those Cub Scout badges.

Let's start with the left sleeve. Your Council shoulder emblem goes at the very top along the shoulder seam. It is shown as position 1 on the diagram above.

Just below the Council shoulder emblem at position 2a is where the small Veteran Unit Emblem is worn if you use it. It is for units (in our case, packs) that have been chartered at least 25 years.

The number on the emblem represents how many years your unit has been chartered. Wouldn't it be great to be in a unit chartered 50 or 60 years ago?

Cub Scout Council Patch Placement

Next, in position 2 above, is your pack number. Our pack number is 3 digits, but yours could be more or less than that.

A little hint if you're sewing…  Sew the numbers together first then sew the connected numbers onto the uniform.  MUCH easier than sewing each number individually onto the shirt!

sew pack numbers together

Right Sleeve Cub Scout Patch Placement

The American flag is sewn on the right sleeve of the Cub Scout uniform at position 1. If you purchase your uniform new, the flag will be sewn on already. If your uniform is used, the flag may have been removed, but you can buy another one from your Council.

Directly below the American flag in position 2 is your den number. In our pack, a Tiger den is given a number when it is formed, and that number stays the same for that group of Cub Scouts.

Den Number Patch Placement

For example, when my son was a Tiger, his den was numbered Den 3. When he became a Webelos, he was still in Den 3.

When you leave the den numbers the same each year, you don't have to replace the patch.

Your pack's most recently earned Journey to Excellence (JTE) patch is worn below the den number on the right sleeve at position 3.

cub scout uniform pocket patch placement

Left Pocket Cub Scout Patch Placement

The World Crest is worn above the left pocket. It is centered between the left shoulder seam and the top of the left pocket. It signifies that the Boy Scouts of America is part of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

Cub Scout Rank Patches

The badges of rank go on the left pocket as shown in the image above. They are placed in this order:

  • Lion Badge – Below other ranks
  • Bobcat Badge – 12:00 Position
  • Tiger Badge – 6:00 Position
  • Wolf Badge – 9:00 Position
  • Bear Badge – 3:00 Position
Cub Scout Lion Rank Patch

Lions, our newest Cub Scout rank, wear a t-shirt instead of the blue Cub Scout uniform shirt. When the kindergarteners complete all of the requirements for their rank, they can wear the Lion patch over their hearts on the t-shirt. 

When the Lions move up to be Tigers, they will put their Lion patch below the left pocket right under where the Tiger badge will go.

Religious knots indicating a Cub Scout has earned the Religious Emblem for their religion are worn centered above the left pocket.

Right Pocket Cub Scout Patch Placement

The Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award patch is worn on the right pocket flap. Pins earned for the Summertime Pack Award are pinned onto the Outdoor Activity Award patch.

If your Scout earns the Recruiter patch, it is worn directly below the right pocket.

cub scout temporary patch placement

Cub Scout Temporary Patch Placement

Temporary patches can be worn on the right pocket. These include patches earned for participating in an activity or for completing an achievement.

The picture above shows a Cub Scout day camp patch. Only one temporary patch can be worn on the pocket at a time.

Some other examples of temporary patches are:

Many temporary patches have loops attached so that you can hang them from the pocket button instead of having to sew them on. Makes life so much easier!

According to page 28 of the Guide to Awards and Insignia, the Whittling Chip badge isn't worn on the Cub Scout uniform.

Read this article for some ideas on what to do with those temporary Cub Scout patches when you put a new one on your child's uniform.

Webelos Uniform Patch Placement

webelos patch placement

Webelos and Arrows of Light wear the tan uniform shirt like Boy Scouts. When the Scouts earn their Webelos rank, they will wear the badge sewn onto the left pocket. 

The Arrow of Light rank patch goes directly below the left pocket. It is the only Cub Scout badge that may be worn on the Boy Scout uniform.

If you would rather watch a video, click below!

patch placement with red play button

How Do You Attach Scout Patches?

Unfortunately, Cub Scout patches are not iron on. They'll need to be sewn on with either a sewing machine or by hand. I discovered this super easy way to hand sew them.

And that's where all the patches go! If this was helpful, please share it with your Cub Scouting friends.

Yours in Scouting,
Sherry

P.S.  Get uniform shirts and accessories at great prices from eBay

cub scout insignia placement

Ashley

Monday 11th of March 2024

I have a question about symmetry and balance. I noticed that the flag on my son’s shirt is not centered on the sleeve like it is in the example above; it basically starts behind the shoulder seam. So, that means the den patch will be that far back, as well. So, when I add the patches to the other sleeve and I actually center them on the sleeve, he’s going to look off balance. One of his fellow cubs has the same issue. Should we remove the flag and center it? Anyone else have this problem?

Elizabeth

Monday 3rd of July 2023

Thanks, for the tips. I myself am a major procrastinator & I have to sew patches for the 4th July parade that my son is walking in tomorrow & I really didn't feel like daging out my sewing machine, I was going to hand sew them on but not the way you had mentioned but that sounds alot easier & faster than the way that I had in mind. Thanks again.

Nick Tackes

Monday 29th of May 2023

We have a bunch of Tiger Adventure badges that look like clips but I can't find anywhere on the web, not a single picture or a single description anywhere on any cub scout material as to what to do with them or where they go on the uniform. Amazing. If you have any knowledge of these it would be greatly appreciated. They are the size of a postage stamp made of metal and appear to be a clip.

karen linda

Sunday 12th of December 2021

Useful guide for uniform patches!

Brianna

Saturday 20th of November 2021

My son just earned his bobcat. It might be a silly question but when I sew the patch on do I go through the pocket? It means the pocket won't open anymore. Thanks!

Sherry Smothermon-Short

Sunday 21st of November 2021

Yes, you sew through the pocket.