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