Cub Scout Patch & Badge Placement Guide for New Program 2026
Updated for the new program effective June 1, 2024, 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!
Check out the easiest way ever to sew on Cub Scout patches!
Left Sleeve Cub Scout Patch Placement
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 patch emblem goes at the very top along the shoulder seam. It is shown as position 1 on the diagram above.
Not shown in the image is the small Veteran Unit Emblem. If you use it, the emblem is worn just below the Council patch 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?
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 unit numerals together first then sew the connected numbers onto the uniform. MUCH easier than sewing each number individually onto the shirt!
Right Sleeve Cub Scout Patch Placement
The American flag patch 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.
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.
Not pictured in the diagram is your pack’s most recently earned Journey to Excellence (JTE) patch which is worn below the den number on the right sleeve.
Left Pocket Cub Scout Patch Placement
The World Crest Emblem 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 Scouting America is part of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.
The badges of rank for Lion, Tiger, Wolf, and Bear go on the left pocket of the blue shirt as shown in the image above. They are placed in this order:
- First Rank Badge Earned – 12:00 Position
- Second Rank Badge Earned – 9:00 Position
- Third Rank Badge Earned – 3:00 Position
- Fourth Rank Badge Earned – 6:00 Position
Some of you may be wondering about the Bobcat badge. The Bobcat rank was retired with the 2024 program changes. Instead, Bobcat is now a required adventure for every rank.
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
If your Scout earns the Recruiter patch, it is worn directly below the right pocket.
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.
Teach your Cub Scout how to fold Cub Scout neckerchiefs!
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:
- Pinewood Derby, Raingutter Regatta, and Space Derby Patches
- Day Camp Patches
- Popcorn Sales Patches
- Scouting for Food Patches
- Scout Sunday Patches
- Cub Scout “segments” (Council-specific)
Many temporary patches have button loops attached so that you can hang them from the right pocket button instead of having to sew them on to the right pocket flap. Makes life so much easier!
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 and Arrows of Light wear the tan uniform shirt like Scouts BSA. 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 Scouts BSA uniform.
If you would rather watch a video, click below!
What about Adventure Loops?
Whenever a Cub Scout completes an Adventure, they earn either a loop or a pin.
The Lions, Tigers, Wolves, and Bears wear their Adventure loop on their Cub Scout belt.
Webelos and Arrows of Light display their Adventure pins on the Webelos colors.
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
87 responses
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Thank you for this information. It is very helpful. A couple of questions, where does the Webelo badge go? If we don’t have Tiger Cubs, do the badges go 12:00-Bobcat, Wolf-6:00, 9:00-Bear, 3:00-Webelos?
Can you share a simplified version, such as this one, for patch placement on adult uniforms?
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Rondi:
To answer your question “where does the Webelos badge go?”, there are three possible scenarios per the BSA’s Guide to Awards and Insignia (and using Sherry’s clock face reference):
1. If your Cub did not earn the Tiger Badge, the badges of rank would be positioned on the left pocket of the blue or tan shirt as follows:
• Bobcat Badge—first position (12:00)
• Wolf Badge—second position (9:00)
• Bear Badge—third position (3:00)
• Webelos Badge (No. 43, diamond-shaped)—fourth position (6:00)
2. If your Cub has earned the early rank badges (Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, Bear), these badges would be removed from the uniform and the diamond-shaped Webelos Badge would be worn centered on the left pocket of the blue or tan shirt.
3. If your Cub has earned the early rank badges (Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, Bear), these badges would be removed from the uniform and the oval Webelos Badge (No. 80375) would be worn centered on the left pocket of the tan shirt only.As far as patch placement for adult (Scouter) uniforms, it is somewhat simpler, as adults do not earn Cub Scout rank badges or (most) Cub Scout awards. The adult uniform will have mostly the same insignia on the sleeves as the Cub Scout uniform, depending on their position with the Pack. The one notable addition is the Badge of Office, which is located on the left sleeve in position 3 (below and touching the unit number). Scouters can also be recognized with various emblems, awards, recognitions and devices for their training, service and tenure. For more information, consult the Guide to Awards and Insignia at: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/InsigniaGuide.aspx.
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Thanks for the clarification!
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Hi everyone,
My grandson is a cub scout, my question is does the patches go the same way on the vest as they would put on a shirt?
Thank you
Kelly
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Hi, Kelly! Just to clarify, do you mean the red “brag” vest? And do you mean the temporary patches or the rank patches? I have an article about temporary patches that I’ll past below. If that doesn’t answer your question, let me know!
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Why are Cub Scout patches and clothing so expensive? My son is a Tiger Cub. For his Class A shirt, required patches, a belt, a cap, and a neckerchief with slide it was $92.
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I understand. A uniform and accessories can be costly. You can often find more affordable options gently used online. For future uniforms and accessories, you might want to check them out here.
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Thrift shops are also a good place to look for “experienced” uniforms!
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Yes, they are! I have a Goodwill Outlet store close to me, and I have found all kinds of goodies there. My most recent find was 2 unopened Cub Scout centerpieces that we can use at our next Blue & Gold. Thanks!
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We bought my son his vintage shirt at goodwill. Cost me less than two dollars. It was huge on him as a tiger, we always tell parents to buy big no matter how you buy, and he wore that shirt until he crossed over to Boy Scouts.
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Greg:
I know where you’re coming from. When my son first wanted to join Cub Scouts, I was under-employed and enrolled in college full-time. Money was tight. But I was a Cub Scout when I was a child, and it was a very worthwhile and enjoyable experience for me. And I thought it could be good for my child as well. After attending that first School Night for Scouting roundup, we both ended up registering with the BSA. That meant two uniforms were in our near future! Our Pack paid the fees for my training at the district office: Fast Start, New Leader Essentials, Cub Scout Leader Specific, and Youth Protection Training. Through this experience, I learned the benefits of proper uniforming:
1. It promotes equality. Boys from different socio/economic levels wear the same uniform and cooperate as equals.
2. It provides identification. The uniform identifies the boy as a member of the Cub Scouts, which in itself identifies a good citizen to the community.
3. It promotes achievement. The uniform is where the Cub Scout displays the badges/awards that he earns.
4. It provides commitment. The uniform is a reminder to the Cub Scout of his commitment to the ideals and purposes of Scouting: his duty to God, loyalty to country, and helpfulness to others.
As a new Cub Scout Den Leader, it was important for me to be properly uniformed so as to set a good example for my scouts. That was more than 10 years ago. I spent about the same amount as you for each of us (about $180 -$190 total). I bought a shirt that was a little bit large for my son, and it lasted him through Webelos I. When he was a Webelos II, we got him the tan shirt that he could wear when he crossed over to Boy Scouts (again a little on the large side so he could grow into it).
Since that time, my children have also participated in band, orchestra, baseball, and softball. The cost of a scout uniform was just a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of just the concert uniforms alone, besides the musical instruments, music stands and various accessories; and the sporting equipment: ball gloves, helmets, bats (and batting gloves), baseball pants and cleats. The point I’m trying to make is this: compared to other extracurricular activities, scouting doesn’t seem as costly, but the life lessons and character development are so much more rewarding. Scouting will not only have an impact on your son’s life, but it will impact the lives of others in your community as well.-
Great points! Thanks for sharing.
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oh, wanted to ask… what was the idea for what to do with pins? We’ve been pinning them on his collar because no one else could tell us what to do with them lol. I’m so curious to hear your suggestion for them if they are not technically supposed to be on the uniform itself?
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Kristy:
As a boy’s tenure in Cub Scouting increases, so will his collection of temporary insignia; i.e.: patches from Pinewood Derbies, Scouting for Food, Blue & Gold, World Conservation, Whittling Chip, etc. and pins from the Cub Scout Sports & Academics program. Sherry is correct in that these pins have no place on the Class A uniform; and a scout is only allowed to wear one temporary insignia centered on the right pocket. Most boys will put all these items on a patch vest, or brag vest, which they usually wear at Pack meetings. Most scout shops carry these simple red felt vests, but I have seen many scouts wearing homemade patch vests as well. These make great additions to a Cub Scout’s wardrobe, and the boys tend to like to show off their past activities and accomplishments!
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Thanks for sharing!
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We have also had parents and scouts make an achievement (we try not to say brag) blanket. They went to a fabric store and brought red flannel material and put their patches on it. These young men did not like wearing the vests and chose this option. They hang the blankets on the wall. They look really sharp.
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<—— First time scout mom no longer feeling so overwhelmed, and now feeling excited! thank you thank you thank you!!!
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Awesome! So glad the information was helpful!
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Thanks. I just had a parent ask me last night about the badge location.
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So glad it was helpful, Tania! Thanks for reading!
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Thank you! This clarifies things for this first-time scouting mom.
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Great! Glad I could help!
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Thank you for sharing your ideas. Your time and effort are much appreciated!
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